One cannot help but be amazed by the sheer beauty and sophistication of the dial of the present Ludovic Ballouard Upside Down with marquetry mother of pearl dial, a painstaking process that only a handful of artisans can master and which provides for a glamourous result with the different inlays of colored mother of pearl.

However, the complexity and beauty of the dial should not overshadow the incredible movement that makes the Upside Down such a rare and special timepiece. This surprising and incredibly avant garde wristwatch is in fact a jump hour featuring a totally novel and never seen before hour indication, which is perfectly described by the watch’s name: Upside Down.

The 12 numerals are classically displayed on the dial but are placed on twelve rotating discs. When the minute hand precisely reaches the 12 o'clock position, the past hour number instantaneously turns 180 degrees upside down. Simultaneously the new hour turns right side up. This disc also reveals a white dot beneath, only when turned right side up, as to make it easier for the wearer to quickly find the correct hour. The rotation of these two tiny hour disks is faster than the eye can follow, and by using Maltese crosses to control the rotation mechanisms, time-keeping precision is not affected.

Technically, the easier route would have been to place the Upside Down mechanism underneath the dial; however, Ludovic Ballouard believes that the owner would appreciate seeing the complexity of the complication and watching the discs rotate, so he placed the mechanism on the back. No easy task as it necessitated drilling 12 minute holes through the movement plate for the 12 tiny pinions that control the hour discs.

The present Upside Down (made in only 12 pieces) represents a contemporary approach submerged with traditional craftsmanship.