Any fans of Ludovic Ballouard ?

Sep 04, 2022,12:10 PM
 

Where do I start? He is a crazy genius but honestly one of the NICEST and KINDEST people in the watch world. He is always open and welcoming to everyone, even given the language barrier sometimes.

We were fortunate enough to go and visit his atelier just outside Geneva where we had an amazing Swiss fondue for lunch. Our group was welcomed by Ludovic and his charming wife. Cedric Johner also stopped by which was a great addition to the lunch as we all shared many stories of watches, life, etc...

I do not want to get into too many details but I will say this could have been one of the most, if not the most, important lunches and meetings in my entire 31 years of collecting watches.

Ludovic agreed to take on a project that has HUGE sentimental and emotional value for me. I will discuss this at a later time but to give you a point of reference, if you asked me to give up watch collecting or trade my entire collection for this ONE project, I most likely would do it πŸ™ŠπŸ™ˆπŸ™‰

As for now, I would like to share with you a crazy piece we got to see together. It is Ludo's new Upside Down with an Osmium dial !!

Osmium is the most rare and precious earth metal at a staggering price of 2.000 CHF per gram of raw material. The dial alone on this piece is 10.5 grams so you can do the calculations. Please remember that this is just RAW cost and Ludo would need more material to start out with to make the dial and work on the details.

The color is very difficult to capture as it changes from silver to a bluish hue. I took a video if anyone wants to see it but cannot post it so send me a PM and I can forward it to you.

One of our friends was so smitten that he confirmed one immediately. Now I just need to get off my ass and decide which configuration I want as well since there are already 4 or 5 SOLD of the 7 that will be made. They might be sold out as I write this post since we saw Ludo 4 days ago πŸ€·β€β™‚οΈπŸ€·β€β™‚οΈ

In any case, my project with Ludo will be my first LB piece but one of many I am sure of that. He is coming out with a new piece I call a GAME CHANGER and I have ALREADY confirmed my interest for one, if and when it becomes available.

So please enjoy the Osmium Upside Down below. What an incredible piece !!

Bravo Ludo πŸ‘ πŸ‘













This message has been edited by Mike H on 2022-09-05 08:11:57


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While that is a neat watch

 
 By: TeutonicCarFan : September 4th, 2022-12:19
I am very intrigued in what you would hold on such high regard in the setting of your collection! I've never been into the upside-down aesthetic, I'm not against it but just not super into it. I will say it seems the shape of the case and lugs for that wa... 

Stunning craftsmanship from our dear friend…

 
 By: Cpt Scarlet : September 4th, 2022-12:38
Ludo is one of a kind and a real gentleman.

100% agree my friend πŸ˜‰πŸ‘

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : September 4th, 2022-15:21

I played with his creations a while back and I’m smitten by the details, however I can’t wrap my head around the inverse hours.

 
 By: ZSHSZ : September 4th, 2022-12:51
I find myself constantly searching for the proper number;-))) Nevertheless I’m very happy and exited for your commission. Can’t wait to learn more!

I talked with him briefly in Las Vegas

 
 By: cazalea : September 4th, 2022-13:01
That was 11 years ago! Gosh. Cazalea ...  

Wow, super cool 😎 πŸ‘Œ

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : September 4th, 2022-19:07

LOL Justin you are on a completely different level with watches 🀣

 
 By: jleno : September 4th, 2022-13:05
I'm very curious to see what the result of this project with LB will be! Feel free to forward me the video of the osmium dial as well, it looks incredible in the pictures!

I'm a huge fan....

 
 By: nacelle : September 4th, 2022-13:31

Me too πŸ˜‰πŸ‘

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : September 4th, 2022-19:53

Please send it! Thanks!

 
 By: Obeezy : September 4th, 2022-20:16

Home Run πŸƒβ€β™€οΈ

 
 By: Horology75 : September 4th, 2022-14:06
Always ahead of time my friend . Amazing catch and beautiful timepiece !

Great post

 
 By: Cookies : September 4th, 2022-14:41
How heavy was that Osmium dial? It is said to be the heaviest element by density discovered so far. Wow! Eyewatering special.

Very Ulysse Nardin, indeed.

 
 By: amanico : September 4th, 2022-16:55

Just amazing, WoW

 
 By: SALMANPK : September 5th, 2022-09:40

Yes, really.

 
 By: amanico : September 5th, 2022-10:02

WOW, that must be heavy 😳

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : September 5th, 2022-20:38

Huge +1 πŸ˜‰πŸ‘

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : September 8th, 2022-13:00

Spectacular.

 
 By: JerryW : September 4th, 2022-18:04
My first indie watch was a Ludovic Ballouard Upside Down way back in 2011. Meeting Ludovic and other indie watchmakers made me realize I only wanted to acquire indie pieces going forward. Ludovic, like most of the independent watchmakers, is a pleasure to... 

Super cool dial, and a super cool watch.

 
 By: Jay (Eire) : September 4th, 2022-20:06
I’m sure whatever this project is, it will be a fantastic end product knowing your taste J. LB would be a great counterbalance in my collection to the more widely recognized pieces, alas I find the watch on the wrist too large for me. A problem I find wit... 

A incredible watch with a amazing and special dial .

 
 By: Watchonthewrists : September 4th, 2022-22:18
Thanks for sharing your story about your project with this amazing brand πŸ™πŸ». Looking forward to see it when its finished

So you finally caught the LB bug, hehe...

 
 By: Ivan5 : September 5th, 2022-16:44
The whole thing about him/ his brand is simply mesmerizing... Looking forward to his new concept/ caliber... ...  

Yes bro, so happy to have been around Ludo for the past few months as we have met numerous times since then...

 
 By: holdemchamp1225 : September 9th, 2022-12:22
that has really given me a different perspective of who he is and what he does, as well as the joy he brings to people around him. He is truly an amazing person πŸ˜‰πŸ‘πŸ™

WOW πŸ‘ another πŸ’£πŸ’₯!

 
 By: christianch : September 8th, 2022-23:55
CONGRATULATIONS! wow whart an amazing piece ! I did enquire about (a normal) upside down but I think the price increased dramatically and availability was 1+ year if purchased directly so was an easy pass for me..but yours is truly gorgeous. Thanks for po...