India-Inspired Watches

Written By Rama Sreekant | Updated: Aug 22, 2014, 02:07 PM IST

Motifs, designs and portraits, here are timepieces that celebrate India

Vacheron Constantin
Métiers d’Art Fabuleux Ornements – India manuscript

Framed by a pink gold case topped by a diamond-set bezel, ten vibrant enamel colours blossom on the dial. These shimmering shades form oriental-inspired flowers blooming against a blue sky. The watch expresses the vivacity and richness of Indian illustrations. The contours of its décor are first traced using the champlevé technique to create cavities separated by thin gold partitions in order to apply
the enamels.

Audemars Piguet
Royal Oak Sachin Tendulkar Limited Edition

This watch comes in a 18-carat pink gold case, the case back is engraved with the inscription Royal Oak-Sachin Tendulkar – Limited Edition, with a batsman in action marking 35 Centuries. The brown ‘Grande tapisserie’ pattern dial has silvered counters and luminescent applied gold indexes. It has 40 hours of power reserve. The triple coloured crocodile strap is hand-stitched signifying the colours on India’s national flag.

Panerai
Luminor Marina

This timepiece is from the first special edition dedicated to Mumbai, of which 50 units have been made, with a case in polished steel. The watch has a classic Panerai black dial, with its elegantly simple alternation of hour makers and figures coated with a special ecru Super-LumiNova®; the decoration consists simply of the words ‘Luminor Marina’ and ‘Panerai’ with a picture of a slow-speed torpedo, the vessel on which the frogmen of the Royal Italian Navy carried out their historic missions in the 1940s, wearing the first Panerai watches on their wrists. It is personalised with the same engraving on the back of the dial, showcasing the iconic Gateway of India, Mumbai’s most famous monument.

Jaeger-LeCoultre
1936 Reverso

Personalised with a portrait of an Indian woman whose story remains cloaked in mystery, this model dating from 1936 is a testament to the intrinsic beauty and durability of enamel. The polychrome miniature painting, which remains as fascinatingly fresh as ever, explores the smallest details of the face, the hair and the fabric of the dress. The vivid colours are an anthem to the ornamental wealth of Indian culture. The dial is also made in Grand Feu enamel.

Piaget
Emperador XL Miniature Enamel

This watch comes in a 18-carat pink gold case set with 358 brilliant-cut diamonds and 36 baguette-cut diamonds on the clasp. The diamond-paved case-back is engraved with a Mythical Journey logo. The watch boasts a miniature enamel dial with silver leafs under transparent enamel and elephants. It is powered by ultra-thin hand-wound mechanical tourbillon movement. It has a 40-hour power-reserve. The bracelet is brown alligator with pink gold folding clasp set with 26 brilliant-cut diamonds.

Tag Heuer
Carrera Tachymeter Chronograph ‘India Racing Edition’

These 250 pieces numbered limited edition has been adorned with the logo of ‘Mastering Speed for 150 Years’. The presence of the car shaped logo on the dial adds to the thrill of Tag Heuer fans as well as motor racing enthusiasts. The ‘Mastering Speed for 150 Years’ logo has been placed on the dial at 9 ’o clock as well as on the sapphire crystal case back. The numeral 60 at the 12 O’clock position, along with the thread stitching on the leather strap is in the India saffron colour. The top pusher button also has an orange band circling it to give it a burst of
racing energy.