Delhi Watch Company: India’s heritage in every tick
At Delhi Watch Company (DWC), time doesn’t just tick — it tells a story. Each watch is more than a machine on the wrist; it’s a tribute etched in steel, a reflection of culture, and a tool built with purpose. For collectors, these pieces are not just about keeping hours, but about holding history as well. With this design philosophy, DWC is carving a fresh chapter in Indian watchmaking, one rooted in heritage yet designed for the future. Focusing on three iconic creations — Vayu, Havelock, and Devanagari — GMT India explores how DWC infuses craftsmanship with meaning.
Vayu: Golden Arrows
When DWC created Vayu, the brief wasn’t just to design a pilot’s watch. It was to honour courage. The Golden Arrows edition commemorates Squadron 17’s heroics during the 1999 Kargil War, where MiG-21 fighters played a decisive role. Flip the watch over, and the embossed caseback tells the story: a MiG-21 soaring over Tiger Hill, etched with detail worthy of its legacy.
The design draws inspiration from the utilitarian Dirty Dozen watches of WWII and blends it with Indian Air Force DNA, giving India its very own pilot’s watch. More than just a tribute, Vayu is also DWC’s first mechanical design, making it a milestone in the brand’s journey.
When Squadron 17 veteran Captain Alok Chawdhary straps on the Vayu timepiece, it turns into a living emblem of his squadron’s legacy. “For me, it’s more than just a watch. The MiG-21 engraving on the caseback and the subtle IAF touches are respectful nods to history, done with attention to detail. The build is solid — stainless steel that feels built to last, a sapphire crystal that keeps the dial clear, and the Seiko NH35A ticking away inside ensures the time is accurate,” he says. “Also, the LumiNova markers glow bright, and the exhibition back lets you admire the movement. A lot of ‘tribute’ watches lean purely on sentiment. Vayu doesn’t — it backs it up with genuine craftsmanship and features you can use every day.”
Specs: Crafted in 316L stainless steel, the case measures 40 mm, with a premium leather strap or stainless steel bracelet. Inside ticks the reliable TMI NH35A automatic movement, shielded by a sapphire crystal, with Super-LumiNova markers ensuring legibility at all hours. Vayu wears rugged yet refined — how a pilot’s watch should feel like.
Havelock: Born of the Sea
If Vayu soars, Havelock dives. Named after the idyllic Havelock Islands in the Andaman and Nicobar archipelago, this diver’s watch is DWC’s ode to one of Asia’s best-kept secrets for underwater exploration. Known for its turquoise waters, coral reefs, and thriving marine life, Havelock is a diver’s paradise — and now, it has a timepiece to match.
This isn’t a desk diver. Tested by the Dive India team in Havelock, the watch has become part of their everyday kit, both underwater and on land. Founder Anish Dandwani notes, “With Havelock, a lot of divers love taking it out diving. They send us underwater pictures of the Havelock in action. In fact, the Dive India staff now wear DWC exclusively.”
On the wrist, Havelock feels secure, clear, and ready for adventure. For divers, it’s a trustworthy companion. Chaitanya Reddy of Dive India echoes this, saying: “I use the Havelock daily, on land and underwater. I like its design, especially the sapphire crystal and bright lume, and it’s stylish enough to draw plenty of compliments.”
Specs: Built for endurance, the 38 mm case is forged in 316L stainless steel and paired with a robust silicon strap. It offers 20 ATM water resistance, a Swiss Berlac enamel-coated dial available in blue, green, black, or brushed grey, and a BGW9 Super-LumiNova glow that ensures visibility in the ocean’s depths. The unidirectional aluminium bezel clicks with 120 precision steps, while the dependable TMI NH35A Ghost Date calibre powers the watch within. On the reverse, an engraving of the Havelock Island ties the timepiece to its namesake.
Devanagari Chronograph: India on the Dial
Among DWC’s most iconic creations is the Devanagari Chronograph — a piece that wears its Indianness proudly. Where most watches use English and Arabic numerals, this chronograph boldly replaces them with the curves and strokes of Devanagari script, not once but in two different fonts, turning the dial into a cultural canvas.
But what makes the Devanagari truly special is the emotion it inspires. Prasanjit Patil, a collector, shares, “I own two watches from DWC and they hold a special place in my collection. The craftsmanship feels premium, the designs are elegant, and they carry a timeless charm. One of them is particularly close to my heart — I wore it on my wedding day, and it perfectly complemented the occasion with its classy look. Rooting for DWC!”
With three variations available, demand often outpaces supply, with the chronograph frequently selling out. Beyond its appeal as a collector’s piece, the watch has sparked conversations in niche watch communities, making it a go-to choice for millennials and Gen Z.
Specs: The watch runs on the VK64 MecaQuartz movement with a custom Devanagari date wheel — the first of its kind. A 39 mm stainless steel case, curved mineral glass, 5 ATM water resistance, and a supple genuine leather strap complete the package. The subdials track chrono minutes and a 24-hour register, making it as functional as it is evocative.
Stories on the Wrist
What ties Vayu, Havelock, and Devanagari together is DWC’s unwavering commitment to purposeful design. Each watch is not just engineered but envisioned. Whether honouring a squadron’s legacy, capturing an island’s allure, or celebrating the elegance of a script, each watch tells a story. For watch buffs, they offer more than craftsmanship; they offer context — a reason to wear, to remember, to connect. In an industry dominated by Swiss and Japanese giants, DWC is proving that Indian watchmaking has a voice of its own — one rooted in culture, nostalgia and, identity.
Image credits: Delhi Watch Company
