Nirupesh Joshi and Mercy Amalraj, founders of Bangalore Watch Company (BWC), are a dynamic couple who transitioned from successful careers in IT consulting in Hong Kong to return to India with the mission of revitalizing the art of watchmaking. Their objective is to create timepieces that reflect contemporary Indian narratives. The closure of HMT, the iconic watch manufacturer known for producing India’s first mechanical watch, has left a notable gap in the market for innovative mechanical watches that represent modern India.
In my meeting with Joshi, he articulated, “Our mission is to create collection of watches that tell stories with a 21st century worldview of India – a vibrant country with development in science, technology, space, and defense, as opposed to the dated, mainstream view.”
Mach 1 Avalanche
Bangalore Watch Company
BWC’s collections are centered around themes of sports, aviation, and space. I inquired with Joshi about his decision to pursue a pilot’s watch, diverging from the conventional trajectory typically followed by most watch companies, which often starts with a classic watch before expanding into sports or dive models. He explained, “I have a strong passion for aviation. Therefore, we sought to draw inspiration from the Indian Air Force for our pilot watch collection. This collection serves as a tribute to India’s first supersonic fighter jet, the MiG 21.”
BWC has unveiled its latest aviation themed watch – the Mach 1 Avalanche, pays tribute to the intrepid souls who soar above the formidable Himalayan peaks, braving the harshest of elements to safeguard the nation’s frontiers.
Mach 1 Avalanche pays tribute to Indian Air Force that is protecting the airspace over the Himalayas … [+]
Bangalore Watch Company
The Himalayan Mountain range is home to over 1,300 peaks that rise above 6,000 meters, a remarkable geographical feature that presents both challenges and opportunities. A significant portion of these peaks lies within Indian airspace, highlighting the strategic importance of this region. In this context, the Indian Air Force (IAF) has been entrusted with a dual mandate: to safeguard the integrity of this airspace and to ensure the safety and operational effectiveness of border forces stationed in these high-altitude environments. The IAF’s role is critical not only for national security but also for the well-being and sustenance of personnel deployed in these rugged terrains, where environmental conditions can be extreme and logistics challenging.
By leveraging advanced technology and strategic air operations, the Indian Air Force plays a pivotal role in maintaining aerial vigilance and providing support to ground forces, thereby enhancing the overall security posture of India’s high-altitude borders.
Mach 1 Avalanche in low light conditions
Bangalore Watch Company
Joshi elucidates the challenges faced by high-altitude aviators, “High-altitude flights are extremely perilous. The thin air makes it arduous for helicopters to generate and sustain lift. Since the late 1970s, Indian aviators have been routinely undertaking rescue and resupply missions to the towering peaks of the Himalayas – confronting the biting cold, oxygen-depleted air, and rugged, icy terrain of some of the world’s highest battlefields.”
Mercy Amalraj, Co-Founder and Head of Ownership Experience, echoes BWC’s commitment to honoring these aerial guardians, stating, “The Indian Air Force has been entrusted with not only protecting the airspace over the Himalayas but also ensuring the safety and sustenance of the border forces that vigilantly guard our high-altitude frontiers. This is the story we wanted to celebrate with our newest addition to the Mach 1 line-up.”
The case back showcases a helicopter soaring above Himalyan peaks
Bangalore Watch Company
Overall, the 39mm steel case, Swiss-made movement, and locally sourced hands, remain the same as previous “sold out” Synchro limited edition watch. The main difference is the dial, which is striking in the white colorway. The new design features a white hue and pattern that emulates the appearance of freshly fallen powdery snow, aptly named “Frostpeak.” The dial is adorned with a motif de grain, enhancing the watch’s shine and luster under varying lighting conditions. Additionally, the minute hand is presented in a vibrant red with Super-Luminova, reminiscent of airspeed indicators and the striking colors of mountain rescue helicopters.
The tricolor fin-flash at nine o’clock
Bangalore Watch Company
The tricolor fin-flash, the tiny orange triangle at 12 o’clock, and the orange tip of the seconds hand, and the red minute hand, inject some color into a monochromatic dial. The date at six o’clock has a contrasting black date wheel. A matching date wheel would have given it a more uniform look.
BWC has made a noteworthy decision to equip the Mach 1 with the Swiss Sellita SW220-1 automatic movement. Sellita is increasingly favored by established Swiss and German independent brands. In contrast, many micro brands typically opt for Seiko or Miyota movements; while these alternatives are reliable, they often carry a certain stigma among watch enthusiasts. By choosing a Swiss movement, BWC positions itself effectively within the market, enhancing its credibility, particularly when aligned with a compelling design and narrative.
The minute hand is reminiscent of airspeed indicators
Bangalore Watch Company
The crown of Mach 1 Avalanche is meant to be inspired from the nozzle of MiG’s afterburner. Interestingly, ridges on the crown make the pull and push operation much easier. The screwed-down crown gives the pilots watch a respectable water-resistant rating of 100 meters. A sapphire crystal with triple anti-reflective coating provides excellent legibility of the dial. The case back showcases a helicopter soaring above majestic peaks, symbolizing the narrative that inspired this timepiece.
Mach 1 Avalanche is priced at USD 1,200. For more information, visit BWC’s website.
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