Ludovic Ballouard

Grail Watch 10: Ludovic Ballouard et Fils Upside Down “Series Gaga” Souscription

$123,700.00 USD
Our latest Grail Watch, the Ludovic Ballouard Et Fils Upside Down ‘Series Gaga,’ is as heartwarming as it is unique. The ‘Gaga’ appellation refers not to the singer or even the French slang term for ‘crazy’; instead, it is short for Gabriel, Ludovic Ballouard’s young son, who designed the dials. Gabriel’s bold, childlike scribbles have been printed onto the aventurine dial to spectacular effect.
The movement, however, is all Ludovic. The unique Upside Down complication sees each hour marker rotate, thanks to a complex array of discs and Maltese crosses, all working in perfect unison to create a dial-side effect that is charming in its seeming simplicity. The 41mm watch is cased in platinum and will be offered in 12 examples, four with Breguet numerals, four with Chinese characters and four with Eastern Arabic numerals.

Specifications
Movement: Manual winding caliber B01; 40-hour power reserve

Functions: Jumping hours, minutes and small seconds
Case:
 41mm; platinum; water resistant to 30m
Dial: Aventurine; Breguet numerals or Chinese numerals on jumping hour disks
Price: CHF 108,000, excluding taxes; fifty percent deposit be paid upon order
Availability: Subscription only; limited edition of 12 pieces (four with Breguet numerals; four with Chinese numerals; four with Eastern Arabic numerals) delivered over a year

A One-of-a-Kind Complication


First created in 2010, the Upside Down is one of high watchmaking’s most original creations. the titular upside down effect, which sees all the markers remain inverted until it is their hour to shine, is achieved thanks to a complex arrangement of 12 Maltese crosses, working in perfect unison to achieve this feat, and all visible through the case back.

Remarkable Hour Markers

The topsy-turvy hour markers of the Upside Down are already iconic, but on this special edition, the childlike iconography of Gaga only accentuates the appeal of the watch — the brightly coloured scribbles have been painstakingly and lovingly rendered in perfect detail.

Starstruck Dial

The dial is crafted from glittering and glossy aventurine, and the flecks and inclusions in the glass-like material only add to the sense of depth and wonder present in this exceptional watch.

A Proud Platinum Case

The remarkable dial is surrounded by a broad bezel and assured lines of Ludovic Ballouard’s case, here in platinum. Sized at 41mm across and 11mm high, the watch wears smaller than you might suspect, thanks to the curved lugs.