Bangalore Watch Company’s Peninsula Collection Is An Ode To The Indian Subcontinent

In the hallowed world of horology, Swiss watches have always maintained an edge, and, rightly so because of the craftsmanship, know-how, and the legacy of most of the storied brands that have been in existence for ages. So, when an Indian brand steps into the arena, it’s bound to raise a lot of speculation. Not that India is a stranger when it comes to luxury watches or the art of crafting them, but there haven’t been too many players producing high-end quality watches crafted for a global audience. That’s where Bangalore Watch Company is changing the game. Founded in 2018, this homegrown enterprise is crafting ‘world-class, luxury wristwatches in India’, where each collection ‘produced in limited numbers, tells stories from the Indian Air Force, the Indian space program, and others from modern-India,’ as founders Nirupesh Joshi and Mercy Amalraj explain. It’s also interesting to note that within a short time frame, Bangalore Watch Company has garnered quite a following among watch enthusiasts globally—spanning over 30 countries.

The brand launched with the Renaissance Automatic—a classic dress watch, saluting the fine legacy of HMT watches, and though the collection has been discontinued; they continue to create timepieces inspired by India’s rich heritage. And their latest collection—the Peninsula Professional follows the same ethos and celebrates India’s geographic diversity. Launched at a grand event in Bangalore, the collection is apt for those who love the thrill of nature and outdoor activities.

“Watch brands from around the world have always focused on nature and outdoors. Specific lines of watches have been created for recreational purposes like diving or hiking. Our Peninsula collection is an all-purpose outdoor watch. It can be used 200m underwater in the Indian Ocean, as well as 8,000m above sea level on a Himalayan peak,” says an enthusiastic Amalraj, while highlighting the USP of the new collection. Outlook Luxe got a sneak peek at the new timepieces and here’s what we think:

Unique Design: Celebrating India’s Diverse Landscapes

India, as well all know is a land of diversity and a melting pot of cultures, and the different geographical terrains also influence the socio-economic factors that impact key areas, whether its culture, livelihood, language… But that’s a different topic. We mean to focus only on the different landforms that have served as inspiration behind this rugged range of watches. Think the mighty oceans, the majestic mountains, and the lush forests—all finding a place in these timekeepers!

“The Indian outdoors are so diverse and a single-purpose recreational luxury watch does not do justice to this incredible diversity”, says Joshi. “The Peninsula Professional collection has been designed from the ground up to reimagine the recreational luxury outdoor watches category,” he adds.

The 44mm case, crafted in stainless steel carries a distinct design, shaped after the ‘pebble’, found in abundance in nature. And, since this is an outdoor watch, one would expect a unidirectional bezel sitting comfortably on top. That’s where the surprise element kicks in. Bangalore Watch Company consciously chose to not have a bezel here to challenge traditional watchmaking norms, resulting in a collection that truly resonates with the brand’s vision of creating watches for discerning horophiles.

Suited for all outdoor activities, the bezel-less style incorporates more real estate on the dial, allowing for enhanced legibility, while showcasing other features and design elements. These sturdy, scratchproof watches are built to conquer all terrains and are powered by the Swiss Sellita automatic movement, offering power autonomy of at least 41 hours. “If you look at coffee, whiskey, jewellery or cosmetics, Indian homegrown brands are killing it. And I believe that the period of watches is just getting started. There are so many more Indian watch brands that are popping up and it’s the best time to build timepieces in India, which tell our story,” says Joshi, who feels that Indian brands are finally getting the credit for world-class craftsmanship and innovation.

The Quartet And Its Symbolism

Agumbe: Celebrating the lush rainforests of India.

Laccadive: A tribute to the 7,500 km of Indian coastlines.

Zanskar: An ode to the mighty Himalayas.

Mannar: A limited-edition watch, with a rare black mother-of-pearl dial.

Peninsula Professional Collection In A Nutshell

Case: Pebble shaped, stainless steel

Dimensions: 44mm

Water resistance: 200m, closed caseback

Crystal: Super-domed sapphire crystal, 2 layers of anti-reflective coating

Movement: Swiss Sellita SW200-1 Automatic, 41-hours power reserve

Indices and Hands: Diamond cut, rhodium coated with BGW9 Grade-A Super-LumiNova

Strap and buckle: Fluoro-Elastomer high-density rubber, steel tang buckle with BWC logo

Availability: The Peninsula Professional watch is priced at USD 1,250 (INR 1.07 lakh approx.), and can be ordered through their website: www.bangalorewatchco.in