His work is outlandishly idiosyncratic...

Aug 24, 2023,16:05 PM
 

I didn't even do my diligence due on Ludo before I had snatched my Half Time. It was an instant love, I was smitten by it. Never regretted buying it within minutes I had spotted it. A true horological gem.

Here with its equally quirky non-analog(ue) platinum contemporary. (Both being made around 2009...)



  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread 

Ludovic ballouard et fils upside down “series gaga”

 
By: christianch : August 23rd, 2023-22:04
Credits: m I am a huge fan of this watch but somehow I feel that this edition is a miss. 120K+ for a watch with the scribbled dial might not be the best LE. Or may be I am missing something? What do you think? Christian ...  

This is a beautiful story

 
By: Cozmopak : August 23rd, 2023-22:29
And an ugly watch. This watch obviously has a lot of meaning for Ludovic, and is intimately personal. But to commercialize this type of intimacy is extremely distasteful in my eyes.

+1

 
By: Poktori : August 24th, 2023-06:22
Apart from that it's just not a very attractive result, it feels very influencer-esque: monetise something that's supposed to be personal.

This is a very good analysis. I did edit my post a bit as may be my first draft was a bit harsh ...

 
By: christianch : August 24th, 2023-07:32
but I have a feeling that to a father something scribbled by your son is true art. But I am not sure it works for everyone else !

The Graffiti Louis Vuitton series did well...

 
By: patrick_y : August 23rd, 2023-22:48
And Marc Jacobs was hailed as a genius for it (although it was apparently designed by a consultant Jacobs hired, although the credit was given to Jacobs at the time). Some people will like it. Some people won't. In Louis Vuitton's case, the masses that li... 

you are probably right..I understand the art with graffiti but this seems a bit raw to me...

 
By: christianch : August 24th, 2023-07:35
but in reality I think I am just blocked by the price point. Demand and supply I guess but the increase in this model has been really remarkable.

A fair price for this lovely work would be around $70K.

 
By: patrick_y : August 24th, 2023-15:53
But there's a crazy amount of demand for independent watchmakers. Especially ones whom are small and special. And there are also too many investors too. So many people want an Akrivia, Ballouard, Dufour, Voutilainen, because they think these will all be w... 

It's his son's interpretation of the watch.

 
By: patrick_y : August 24th, 2023-00:17
Ludovic has a very young son with his wife Flavia. He is the cutest little boy. I haven't met the son yet, but I've seen photos. I'd probably offer to babysit for free for a night. He's one cute and happy kid. The scribbles are his young son's interpretat... 

Given the backstory, I have to respect this latest release. 👏🏽

 
By: ArmisT : August 24th, 2023-01:10
Moreover, given the strong personal dimension, I’m not sure he gives a hoot how this piece is received. Still, that’s a bold move by him.

I think Ludovic here has a great idea! A whole new business plan! He is a genius!

 
By: patrick_y : August 24th, 2023-03:01
Make your watch something your son will want to wear in the future! Something he was involved in! I've alway said Ludovic is a genius. His wisdom is even deeper than our initial analysis! We were focused on the micro - this one watch. He was thinking macr... 

The Upside Down movement has been out for over a decade...

 
By: patrick_y : August 24th, 2023-15:45
Another PuristS introduced me to his Upside Down over a decade ago and he was one of the first owners of Ludovic's work. Extraordinary piece. Ludovic, FYI, used to be one of the top watchmakers for FP Journe. So his case has an FPJ profile. He was the sen... 

His work is outlandishly idiosyncratic...

 
By: Ivan5 : August 24th, 2023-16:05
I didn't even do my diligence due on Ludo before I had snatched my Half Time. It was an instant love, I was smitten by it. Never regretted buying it within minutes I had spotted it. A true horological gem. Here with its equally quirky non-analog(ue) plati...  

Yes indeed!

 
By: patrick_y : August 25th, 2023-05:02
I should've would've could've but didn't snatch up an Upside Down in the past.

Beautiful pieces!

 
By: patrick_y : August 25th, 2023-04:59
Ludovic's pieces do inspire that instant love and admiration that turns into adoration quickly.

yes indeed. The story is very touching. Perhaps some forum readers will commission one ! 👏

 
By: christianch : August 24th, 2023-07:45
obviously beauty is relative..I still love the watches but may be the traditional version would be more wearable to me personally. For others that look for something special, this might be it. May be I am being a bit unfair on judging it since I usually l... 

I personally like the out of the box design myself.

 
By: patrick_y : August 24th, 2023-15:40
But knowing Ludovic over the years, knowing his first spouse, and his second... I'm admittedly biased because I like Ludovic so much - the guy has just such a happy personality. He's always a pleasure to be around. Also, a parent is biased too, if I had a... 

Great watch maker and nice story

 
By: Horology75 : August 24th, 2023-00:49
However too much premium added for the personal story . Does not appeal to me but love his creations in all . I nearly commissioned a Meteorite edition back in 2014 and was costing less then half

Youngest watch designer ever!

 
By: patrick_y : August 24th, 2023-05:21
And at three years old, he's the youngest watch executive ever too! He's much younger than the Arnault sons. And even younger than Karl-Fritz Scheufele who was involved in the Alpine Eagle at Chopard in his late teens.

Radio Gaga

 
By: Weems@8 : August 24th, 2023-01:49
This Queen song came up when Rogers son says gaga when Roger was in his composing proces. Ludovic must get inspirited by this when he was making a watch. I wil not judge a creative proces, cause the Queen song was a hit, and the watch is too pricy to be l... 

IMHO

 
By: penfriend : August 24th, 2023-10:35
Nothing justifies the price in this case - independent of the scribbles

Looks like someone left

 
By: Thomas_3 : August 24th, 2023-13:16
their watch on the table and their kindergartner got a hold of it and used crayons on it.

I like his watches a lot but not impressed by this one

 
By: ChristianDK : August 25th, 2023-06:01
His watches have a sense of humor and quirky charm mixed with elegance. In this case I feel the elegance is lost. I have a deep sympathy for his personal story but I don’t think the outcome here is his best. Unfortunately.