Premium watches have started to play a larger role in our overall business: Titan MD CK Venkataraman

Last year, on the occasion of the 40th anniversary, Titan released the Flying Tourbillon Watch, which was completely developing within the company. Tourbillon is considered one of the most prestigious complications in clock construction. 200 years ago, the legendary Abraham-Louis Breguet was invented to against the effects of gravity on time-retention. Clock producers around the world create turbillons as parts of expression, which are a showcase of their technical skills.

This year, Titan’s complication features in Jalsa, which has recently been released, are the second flying Turbillon on the Nebula line. JALSA will serve as Titan’s official entry to the Grand Prix d’Orlogerie de Genève (GPHG), the world’s most prestigious clock -made awards. This comes at a time when Titan’s watches and wearable devices grow by about 20 percent in 25 financial years. La4,500 Crore income, strategic thrust to the premium watches as well as basic enterprises.

JALSA combines a flying Tourbillon movement with 144 components and set up with 14 jewels, and with a marble dial that pays tribute to Jaipur’s rich artistic heritage. (Unlike a regular turbillon, a flying turbillon is only mounted from below and gives a floating appearance in the clock.)

Hawa Mahal and a royal procession, the art work of the dial painted by Padma Shri Syed Shaki Ali, one of the most famous Babür miniature art masters in India, depicts a dial and a royal procession. Using completely natural pigments and a single -chained squirrel hair brush, the miniature paint is set in 44 mm, 18k rose golden chassis covered with red agate.

The minute hand is swept along the dial to enlarge the parts of the complex work of art underneath. Clock with only ten pieces La40.5 Lakh.

In this interview, Titan Company General Manager Ck Venkataraman describes Jalsa’s development, a growing luxury and premium clock segment in India, and Titan’s ambitions in the global horological stage.

What makes JALSA special? Just take us to the story behind.

Of course, the idea of ​​all ‘Tourbillon Movement’ is old. Our team developed a very strong concept and then designed and built in a very short time. The Tourbillon clock was released in the first version about eight months ago. Now, it’s a very special watch. And there are three basic parts of this. One is special materials. The second is complication: Flying Tourbillon. And the third is dial. These three come together, what makes this special clock very special and worthy of entering GPHG.

GPHG is usually compared to the Oscars of Clock Construction. But beyond that, what are Titan’s expectations from the platform?

Recognition, of course. This is the summit of horology. However, above that, everything we do to complete this project helped us to raise our general standards in thinking, talent and global partnerships. This ability will affect the clock work in all segments. This was about creating the best, and at the same time making us better and stronger on the board.

Do you have any partners to improve this clock?

Flying Tourbillon movement is a Titan creation. However, as most of the high -level clock complications, especially in Switzerland, there are some extremely special components caused by expert partners. These are parts that even the highest level of global brands do not always produce within the institution, because they are not efficient or practical to do so. Therefore, while cooperating with several global suppliers for certain components and to finish the movement, the intellectual property and engineering integrity of the movement is completely Titan.

You see who bought JALSA?

The luxury watch market in India is strong and growing. Even with the first turbillon around La26 Lakh, enthusiasts, India’s ability to play globally in the best leagues and those who have a deep proximity to Titan had a strong reaction. A mixture of them and perhaps a few features, but a large and growing segment.

Has this segment started to play a greater role in your general business?

Too much. If we put aside Bulutula, our Golden Jewelery Monitoring brand for a moment, Titan’s Premium Watch game will largely sit down La25,000 to La2.00,000 price range. We see this as an important and growing opportunity in India. In fact, we consciously redesigned this field about three years ago. This was not only a structural revision, but also a renewed strategic emphasis, including several important cooperation.

Today, we have three key lines working in this premium area. The first is Edge, a collection of design -led designs that have seen a few successful recurrences over the years. Secondly, the nebula that blends traditional Indian craftsmanship with solid gold cases and jewelry -like aesthetics and can go to the end La7-8 Lakh. And then there is XYLYS, which is more contemporary, global design charm and appeals to a different aesthetic segment. Together, these three brands helped us to make significant progress in the premium category. More importantly, this momentum contributed significantly to the general primation of Titan’s analog clock portfolio.

Many Swiss luxury brands can soon be cheaper in India. How will Titan compete with them?

Origin is just part of the story. Real product value is important for any price. Consider the Squircle, a design using the Edge platform a few years ago. I think he sold retail around him La40,000. At this price, you will have difficulty finding something close to this design, end, endurance and engineering.

There are people where the brand name is very important. In fact, there are others who value those offered. And there are many people who care about both. So someone can get very well La3–4 Lakh Buy a Titan for offering a Swiss clock and also a real value. Both markets will continue to exist. And even if imports are easier and prices fall, we see a great opportunity.