Master watchmaker Ludovic Ballouard worked as a watchmaker under some prestigious brands, including F. P. Journe for seven years, before breaking out to start his own brand in 2009. His first watch, the Upside Down, drew collectors to his door. Several years later, he unveiled the Half Time. Both of these watches focused on showcasing the movement via the case back in all its glory. Today, in his workshops in Geneva, he continues to innovate, creating an exclusive number of watches annually.

History of Ludovic Ballouard

Ludovic Ballouard was born in Brittany, France, in 1971 to a French father and a Dutch mother. His love for fine mechanics began as a boy – he enjoyed building, flying, and repairing radio-controlled airplanes. Noticing his skills, a teacher suggested he consider watchmaking as a career. Acting on that advice, Ballouard went to and graduated from watchmaking school. Unable to find a job as a watchmaker in Brittany as opportunities were scarce, he worked repairing airplane control panels for six years.

However, Ballouard could not continue to ignore his call for watchmaking, so he moved to Geneva, Switzerland, where he worked for Franck Muller in the after-sale department for three years. Following his departure from Franck Muller, he fell upon a fantastic opportunity when a close friend informed him of a watchmaking position at F.P. Journe. He ended up staying for seven years and was by the last three years responsible for assembling the very complicated Sonnerie Souveraine.