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The first Upside Down watch delivered. Photo essay and reportPosted by IanS
At the end of April 2009, after 7 years with the brand, Ludovic Ballouard left F.P.Journe where he was working on Journe's flagship model, the Sonnerie Souveraine, to work as an independent. He had a few ideas and a few sketches, nothing more.
At around that same time, a Paris-based friend mentioned to his watch-collecting boss - Count Philippe de Nicolay, President of the Supervisory board of Rothschild & Cie Bank - Ludovic's plans. Knowing nothing at all about the watch Ludovic was developing or what it might look like, except that it would feature a never-before-seen complication. Ludovic planned to commence with a limited-edition series of 12 watches, with first deliveries tentatively (and very ambitiously in my view) anticipated before the end of the year. Mr. de Nicolay immediately ordered watch No.1 In September 2009, 5 months after he had placed his order, Mr. de Nicolay saw the first sketch of the Upside Down watch. While he did see that most of the hours were 'upside down, he had no idea how the complication functioned. 
As I followed Ludovic's progress, I was continually surprised that, despite being a very complicated and totally unlike anything seen before complication, that the development, the prototyping and the production all went closely to schedule. Perhaps after working on Journe's grand sonneries lesser complications appeared relatively easy to Ludovic, as even if the development took another year I would have considered it fast. And Ludovic had not finished surprising me: in early December he invited me to accompany him to Paris to deliver his very first watch, Upside Down No.1, to Count Philippe de Nicolay at the Rothschild Bank. 
Ludovic has a last minute check of the watch on the TGV Geneva-Paris 
Relax, it's still working 
No signs, no plaques. Rothschild & Cie bank doesn't need to advertise its presence. 
Ludovic handing over Upside Down No.1 to its eager new owner, Philippe de Nicolay 
That crocodile leather pouch is taken from the same skin as the strap. 
Slowly savouring the experience of discovering a completely new watch. 
It looks so simple from this side. Each of the 12 limited-edition models has their serial number as a red hour as well as engraved X/12 on the back of the case, crown and tang buckle (see video and report).
First sight! 
The moment of truth, 'How does it feel on the wrist?' (notice the red '1') 
Upside Down No.1 now in its natural habitat. 
While the dial might not attract attention at first glance, the movement certainly will. 
How does it work? There is only a minute hand (and sub-seconds), the hour is indicated by being the correct way up. For more information, please see Introducing Ludovic Ballouard, an upcoming new Independent and Master engraver Bernard Ditzoff engraves two platinum Upside Down crowns. Ian Skellern -Revolution Online moderator www.facebook.com/underthedial twitter.com/underthedial Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/2010 11:33AM by IanS.
That looks very funny
 What a 'special' mind you must have to be able to design and develop a watch like this. First I was thinking what a weird idea, but after reading and seeing the video I really like it. 
Ian Skellern -Revolution Online moderator www.facebook.com/underthedial twitter.com/underthedial Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 01/15/2010 11:30AM by IanS.
I was captivated by the engraving of the crown, I am intrigued by the calibre and its finsih, but i am a little bit put off by the upside down dial, I have to say. that's ok, I did not like baselitz paintings either
very exclusive watch anyway. the owner seems happy like a kid a christmas!
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