In the realm of horology, every timepiece has a story to tell, but few resonate as deeply as Bangalore Watch Company’s latest creation, the MACH 1 Avalanche. Inspired by the unwavering courage of aviators who navigate the perilous terrains of the Himalayas, particularly in the Siachen Glacier, this watch is more than an accessory—it is a symbol of resilience and precision. In our conversation with Nirupesh Joshi, the creative mind behind this remarkable creation, he shared how the Avalanche pays homage to the legendary Chetak helicopter missions and embodies the relentless spirit of high-altitude aviation. Seamlessly merging storytelling, craftsmanship, and cutting-edge technology, the Avalanche stands as a luxury timepiece that speaks volumes.
Why is the watch named Avalanche? What’s the story behind this launch?
The “Avalanche” watch is part of the MACH 1 collection and is named to honor the brave aviators who fly high-altitude missions in some of the world’s harshest conditions, particularly in the Siachen Glacier. The story behind this launch revolves around the extreme challenges faced by pilots operating in high-altitude forward bases in the Himalayas. These missions demand navigating freezing temperatures, treacherous terrains, and unforgiving weather conditions.
The watch draws inspiration from the courage of these aviators, especially those piloting legendary Chetak helicopters. These helicopters have a storied history of completing daring flights at altitudes where few can venture, providing critical support in harsh mountain environments. The name “Avalanche” reflects both the powerful natural forces of the mountains and the heroic feats of the aviators who operate within them.
How has Bangalore Watch Company incorporated modern technology into the design and manufacturing of their watches, particularly the MACH 1 Avalanche?
Luxury watchmaking is steeped in tradition, and we have brought this craft to India while respecting its centuries-old heritage. However, we integrate modern technology and material sciences to enhance our watches.
For instance, all our watches are crafted from 316L stainless steel, a modern material renowned for its corrosion resistance. Additionally, we use scratch-resistant sapphire crystals to ensure durability. The Avalanche watches, in particular, feature advanced coatings applied through a precise process called Physical Vapour Deposition (PVD), which improves surface resilience and aesthetics.
While we honor the traditional practices of Swiss watchmaking, we continuously explore modern methodologies for manufacturing, quality control, and customer experience to ensure our products meet the highest standards.
How has storytelling contributed to the brand’s growth, and how do you measure the success of this narrative?
Storytelling has been pivotal to our brand’s success. By creating narratives tied to Indian space exploration, aviation, and cricket, we’ve forged strong emotional connections with our customers. This approach goes beyond merely selling watches—it creates a deeper bond with individuals who resonate with the modern backstories behind each watch.
We measure the success of this narrative through customer engagement, media coverage, and feedback. When customers connect personally with the stories we tell, it translates into loyalty, word-of-mouth marketing, and increasing demand for our timepieces.
What challenges did you face before launching the MACH 1 Avalanche?
One of the main challenges was effectively conveying the story behind the watch. Honoring the aviators of high-altitude missions required a balance between providing enough detail to captivate customers and ensuring the narrative didn’t overwhelm them.
Another challenge was crafting a design that resonated with those who feel a personal connection to the aviation story while also appealing to a broader audience. Achieving this balance was crucial to the success of the launch.
How important is material science in your designs? Are there any new innovations you’re exploring for future collections?
Material science is integral to our designs. For example, we use 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, which is both durable and resistant to corrosion, along with scratch-resistant sapphire crystals. For the MACH 1 Avalanche, we incorporated advanced PVD coatings to enhance its surface durability and aesthetics.
Our watches also feature the Swiss Sellita SW200-1 movement, a reliable and precise mechanical movement that underscores our commitment to quality. Looking ahead, we are exploring innovative materials and manufacturing techniques that will further elevate our future collections.
How has the global response been for this launch and past launches?
The global response to the MACH 1 Avalanche and our previous launches has been fantastic. Watch enthusiasts worldwide have appreciated the compelling stories behind each timepiece and the meticulous craftsmanship that goes into their creation.
This growing enthusiasm validates our approach, helping us expand our reach and solidify our position as a distinctive luxury watch brand.
Could you provide insight into the brand’s financial performance over the past few years, and what are your growth projections for the next year?
Currently, we produce approximately 1,000 timepieces annually. Our plan is to scale this to 5,000 pieces in the near future, with a focus on establishing physical retail stores in select cities across the country.
How does BWC incorporate sustainability and ethical practices into its business model, from material sourcing to production processes?
At Bangalore Watch Company, sustainability and ethics are core to our operations. All our watches are powered by mechanical and automatic movements, eliminating the need for batteries. This reliance on physics to power our watches not only ensures durability but also minimizes environmental impact.
By crafting timepieces built to last, we align with sustainable practices while delivering exceptional quality to our customers.
Have any key collaborations or partnerships contributed to BWC’s growth? Are there plans for future collaborations to propel the brand globally?
In 2023, we partnered with the digital NFT platform Hefty.art to create 70 unique watches crafted from materials recovered from India’s first aircraft carrier, INS Vikrant. These watches came with NFTs to digitally verify their provenance and authenticity.
Looking ahead, we are in discussions with leading aviation and automotive brands to develop collaborative collections that will further strengthen our global presence.
