No Reserve
103
Ludovic Ballouard X Atelier Blandenier
Upside Down "Quel Homard Est Il?"
A unique prototype platinum "Upside Down" Homard Watch named “Quel Homard Est-Il?” with guarantee and presentation box, with proceeds going to Paint a Smile
Estimate
CHF100,000–200,000•︎
€110,000–219,000
$127,000–254,000
Live 9 May, 2 PM Switzerland Time
Manufacturer
Ludovic Ballouard X Atelier Blandenier
Year
2026
Case No
Caseback engraved Prototype
Model Name
Upside Down "Quel Homard Est Il?"
Material
Platinum
Calibre
Manual, cal. B01, 51 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
Platinum Ludovic Ballouard pin buckle
Dimensions
41mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Accessories
Accompanied by Ludovic Ballouard Guarantee Certificate, travel pouch, polishing cloth, fitted box and outer packaging.
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- Unique piece
- Engraved/Enamel dial of lobsters and lemons, showcasing the work of Ateliers Blandenier
- Full proceeds including buyer's premium going to charity - Paint a Smile
The present unique Upside Down “Quel Homard Est Il?” is a true work of art, both mechanical and visual, and the result of a playful partnership between Ateliers Blandenier, Ludovic Ballouard, and two art students.
The project originated from a desire to showcase the wide range of métiers d’art mastered by Ateliers Blandeniers. The watch industry subcontractor sought new ways to communicate the breadth of its artisanal expertise and therefore collaborated with art students from Geneva’s higher education institutions: the Haute École d’Art et de Design (HEAD) and the Centre de Formation Professionnelle des Arts. The brief was simple yet imaginative: to bring together the worlds of haute horlogerie and culinary arts.
The winning design was conceived by students Iris Grondein and Léa Maniscalco. Their concept depicted a plate of lobsters and lemons and impressed the jury unanimously with its originality, vibrant colours, and the rich artistic possibilities it offered through various métiers d’art.
The blue background, lemons, and lobsters were executed using grand feu enamel, fired in a kiln at temperatures exceeding 800 degrees Celsius. The lobsters were first hand-engraved in white gold before being coated with vivid red enamel. Their legs were then added using the miniature painting technique to create a rounded, three-dimensional effect.
The lemons proved to be perhaps the most challenging element to produce, as they were both enameled with a single-haired paintbrush and precisely cut by laser. At the upper section of the dial appears a rare golden lobster—estimated to occur in nature only once in thirty million—adding a further playful and colorful detail to the composition.
Ludovic Ballouard joined the project by offering his Upside Down model, featuring its complex and distinctive time display. The dial consists of twelve rotating discs, which in this interpretation take the form of lobster claws. All the claws appear upright except for the current hour, which is rotated. At the top of each hour, the previous hour returns to its upright position while the new hour rotates 180 degrees.
The technical sophistication of the movement becomes evident when the watch is turned over. Through the sapphire caseback, one can admire the intricate construction of this unique timepiece. The movement plate carries twelve finely finished discs attached by tiny pinions, making the transition of time just as fascinating to observe from the movement side as from the dial.
The full proceeds of this lot—including Phillips’ buyer’s premium—will be donated to Paint a Smile, a charitable organization that creates mural art for children's hospitals and clinics.
- Unique piece
- Engraved/Enamel dial of lobsters and lemons, showcasing the work of Ateliers Blandenier
- Full proceeds including buyer's premium going to charity - Paint a Smile
The present unique Upside Down “Quel Homard Est Il?” is a true work of art, both mechanical and visual, and the result of a playful partnership between Ateliers Blandenier, Ludovic Ballouard, and two art students.
The project originated from a desire to showcase the wide range of métiers d’art mastered by Ateliers Blandeniers. The watch industry subcontractor sought new ways to communicate the breadth of its artisanal expertise and therefore collaborated with art students from Geneva’s higher education institutions: the Haute École d’Art et de Design (HEAD) and the Centre de Formation Professionnelle des Arts. The brief was simple yet imaginative: to bring together the worlds of haute horlogerie and culinary arts.
The winning design was conceived by students Iris Grondein and Léa Maniscalco. Their concept depicted a plate of lobsters and lemons and impressed the jury unanimously with its originality, vibrant colours, and the rich artistic possibilities it offered through various métiers d’art.
The blue background, lemons, and lobsters were executed using grand feu enamel, fired in a kiln at temperatures exceeding 800 degrees Celsius. The lobsters were first hand-engraved in white gold before being coated with vivid red enamel. Their legs were then added using the miniature painting technique to create a rounded, three-dimensional effect.
The lemons proved to be perhaps the most challenging element to produce, as they were both enameled with a single-haired paintbrush and precisely cut by laser. At the upper section of the dial appears a rare golden lobster—estimated to occur in nature only once in thirty million—adding a further playful and colorful detail to the composition.
Ludovic Ballouard joined the project by offering his Upside Down model, featuring its complex and distinctive time display. The dial consists of twelve rotating discs, which in this interpretation take the form of lobster claws. All the claws appear upright except for the current hour, which is rotated. At the top of each hour, the previous hour returns to its upright position while the new hour rotates 180 degrees.
The technical sophistication of the movement becomes evident when the watch is turned over. Through the sapphire caseback, one can admire the intricate construction of this unique timepiece. The movement plate carries twelve finely finished discs attached by tiny pinions, making the transition of time just as fascinating to observe from the movement side as from the dial.
The full proceeds of this lot—including Phillips’ buyer’s premium—will be donated to Paint a Smile, a charitable organization that creates mural art for children's hospitals and clinics.