We accept An extremely rare, unusual and collectible platinum wristwatch by independent watchmaker Ludovic Ballouard. The present example was made in 2023. Case made of platinum 950, diameter 41 mm, 11 mm thick, crown between 2 and 3 o'clock, signed with engraved LB logo, sapphire caseback with engraving "Ludovic Ballouard Upside Down Gibeon Piece Unique" on the rim. Black Gibeon meteorite dial, blued minute hand, rotating hour markers. Caliber B01, manual winding, copper color, power reserve up to 40 hours. Functions - display of time in hours in a uique version of the jumping hour complication, and minutes. Black Ludovic Ballouard leather strap, Ludovic Ballouard pin buckle in platinum. Unique piece.
Ludovic Ballouard is one of the most enigmatic figures of the new wave of independent watchmakers. He has earned a reputation as a master and inventor of exotic timekeeping methods. Born in France, he has worked in Switzerland since 1998, first at Franck Muller, then three years later at F.P. Journe. He worked there for seven years and was most recently responsible for the assembly of the Sonnerie Souveraine watch. In 2009, he decided to leave F.P. Journe to pursue his own ideas.
After starting his own business in May 2009, he was soon able to introduce his first watch, the Upside Down, in December. As with most independent watchmakers, Ludovic Ballouard's production is very limited. He produces different versions of this model, including unlimited designs, limited editions and one-offs, in 18k rose gold or 950 platinum. Ludovic Ballouard states that the annual production is about 20 pieces, and the final assembly and testing of each piece is done by himself.
The Upside Down is one of the most remarkable watches in modern haute horlogerie. It's easily recognizable and instantly memorable. Its unusual design will delight anyone who wants to realize their own style.
Caliber B01 has a remarkable complication unmatched by other contemporary watchmakers. The caliber is based on the thin Eta/Peseux 7001 and features a display module designed by Ludovic Ballouard, which is a unique version of the jumping hour display. It has no traditional hour hand or digital display, instead the entire dial is animated so that the current hour digit is available in normal position from the twelve while the rest is upside down, hence the name of the watch. The unique design of the dial is complemented by an even more imposing view of the caliber on the back. The finishing of the caliber deserves special attention: circular, radial and spiral brushing, perlage on the mainplate and polished bevels, complemented by freehand engravings on the case, crown and buckle. The most impressive part of the movement is the dozen Maltese crosses on the circumference, which ensure that the indexes rotate to indicate the hour.
The present example features a platinum case and clasp, and a black Gibeon meteorite dial that highlights the beautiful texture of the meteorite. This is a unique piece, which is confirmed by the "Gibeon Piece Unique" engraving on the case.
The Upside Down Gibeon Piece Unique would be an exceptional purchase for the collector thanks to its unique design, excellent and extremely intricate craftsmanship of case, dial and movement, and rare upside-down jumping hour complication. It was invented and made by independent watchmaker Ludovic Ballouard, who is a member of the prestigious AHCI Academy of Independent Watchmakers. The Upside Down is one of the most remarkable watches in modern haute horlogerie. It's easily recognizable and instantly memorable. Its unusual design will delight anyone who wants to realize their own style. The collector will appreciate this watch as one of the rarest timepieces by Ludovic Ballouard in a unique combination of a platinum case and a genuine meteorite dial.
| Case | Polished platinum 950/1000 case with a sapphire caseback with curved lugs & a off center crown |
| Strap | Dark blue Alligator leather strap with a B shaped platinum 950/1000 pin buckle |
| Dial | Gibeon black Meteorite dial with applied white Breguet numerals, 12 jumping hour plates & a blued minutes hand |
| Movement | Rose gold plated hand-wound sun-brushed & perlaged movement with a jumping hour, mono-hand complication |
| Cal. | Caliber B01 |
| Ref. | Gibeon Upside Down |
| D= | 41mm |
| Year | 2023 |
| Case: | Brand new |
| Strap: | Brand new |
| Dial: | Mint condition |
| Movement: | Very good, all functions working properly |
| Amplitude (Dial on top/Lift angle 52): | Approx 320° |
| Accuracy (Dial on top): | Approx +3 sec/day |
| Box: | Yes |
| Papers: | Yes |
Ludovic Ballouard was born in 1971 in Brittany, France. Already at the age of 8, he made his first mechanical watch and decided that he wanted to study watchmaking. At the age of 16, he entered the watch school and continued his studies in France, in the region of Brittany, located on the seacoast.
