Born in 1971 in Brittany, France to a Breton father and Dutch mother, Ludovic Ballouard grew up near the sea with a fascination for assembling and flying radio-controlled aircraft. His skill in working with intricate mechanisms led a teacher to suggest watchmaking school, sparking a lifelong passion. With few opportunities in Brittany, he began his career as a technician for airplane control panels, a role he held for six years, before following his heart to Geneva, one of the world’s great watchmaking hubs. There, he honed his craft with the dream of creating his own timepieces, filled with unique complications. In May 2009, despite the global financial crisis, Ludovic launched his own brand, and by December that year, introduced his first creation — the UPSIDE DOWN — to eager collectors and supportive suppliers.