After having worked with some of the greatest craftsmen on some of the most complicated modern timepieces and after a seven year stint at F.P. Journe where he worked on the Sonnerie Souverain grande & petite sonnerie Ludovic Ballouard decided to tread his own path by launching his eponymous brand in 2009.

His original idea, that had been trotting in his head for some time, was to offer a timepiece, apparently simple yet technically complex with an entertaining and alternative time indication.

At first glance Ludovic Ballouard’s Upside Down can seem a lovely elegant dress watch with a touch of flamboyance thanks to its blue mother of pearl dial. But this first impression is deceptive. Look closer and you will notice that the watch is lacking an hour hand and all numerals but one are upside down!

This surprising and incredibly avant garde wristwatch is in fact a jump hour featuring a totally novel and never seen before hour indication, which is perfectly described by the watch’s name: Upside Down.
The 12 numerals are classically displayed on the dial but are placed on twelve rotating discs. When the minute hand precisely reaches the 12 o'clock position, the past hour number instantaneously turns 180 degrees upside down. Simultaneously the new hour turns right side up. This disc also reveals a white dot beneath, only when turned right side up, as to make it easier for the wearer to quickly find the correct hour. The rotation of these two tiny hour disks is faster than the eye can follow, and by using Maltese crosses to control the rotation mechanisms, time-keeping precision is not affected.

Technically, the easier route would have been to place the Upside Down mechanism underneath the dial; however, Ludovic Ballouard believes that the owner would appreciate seeing the complexity of the complication and watching the discs rotate, so he placed the mechanism on the back. No easy task as it necessitated drilling 12 minute holes through the movement plate for the 12 tiny pinions that control the hour discs.

Small yet important details on the platinum case show Ludovic Ballouard’s dedication to perfection and craftsmanship, such as the hand engraved initials on the platinum crown and side of buckle, the inscriptions on the case back have also been hand engraved.

This Upside Down model, in mint unworn condition, is the only one fitted with a mother of pearl dial. The latter’s gorgeous blue sheen going from light baby blue to dark marine and all shades in between giving the watch an incredibly fresh and enticing look.

The present watch from one of contemporary horology’s most respected craftsmen is an ode to elegance and sophistication…with a twist.