Questioning the world and its relationship to time
The Atelier eponymous to the watchmaker's name clearly reflects Mr. Ludovic Ballouard's character; complicated, witty and eccentric. The Upside Down, introduced in December 2009, presents a dial with only the correct hour right side up, while all the rest flipped upside down. Besides presenting a highly complicated mechanical marvel in the movement, the philosophy behind Upside Down is probably what the Atelier's patrons would most resonate with; Live in the moment. The past and the future time is, presented upside down to tell you that what matters is now.
Following the success of the Upside Down, Ludovic Ballouard proceeded to introduce the Half Time. Making 12 watches a year, Ludovic Ballouard timepieces are made only using precious metals, hand-engraved cases and in-house movement.
Born in Brittany, France, Ludovic Ballouard had a special interest in assembling and flying radio-controlled model aircrafts since young. His journey into watchmaking began with Franck Muller's after-sales service department for 3 years, before joining F.P Journe. What was intended as a 6-month stint ultimately became 7 years, where he developed his skills immensely. The last years at F.P Journe saw Ludovic Ballouard working on the most complicated pieces, expertly displaying his skill in watches like the Sonnerie Souveraine.
When Ludovic decided to establish himself as an independent watchmaker, the decision collided with a severe global financial crisis. Despite the odds, Ludovic Ballouard presented his very first wristwatch under his own name and with his own in-house movement in 2009: the Upside Down.