Before starting your HMT watch collection

Before you start collecting watches, understand your primary motive behind creating a collection. Based on my interactions with different HMT watch collectors, I have tried to document below the various factors which leads them to choose the watches they add to their collection. I am quite sure that this list is inclusive and not exhaustive and a person may have more than one factor behind choosing which watch one wants to add to his/her collection. It may also happen that over a period of time the motive behind a person’s choice evolves from one to another.

I invest in watches:

This is one of the most debatable reasons when it comes to HMT watches. According to a certain section of watch admirers, HMT watches have an antique value and there monetary value has risen/will rise over a period of time. Before we explore this factor further we need to understand a few important things when it comes to articles that are an antique and have an investment potential. An antique is an item which is scarcely available and is desirable to a large number of individuals. The value of an item goes up in direct proportion to its availability vis-à-vis the number of people who want to acquire it. HMT watches were manufactured in large numbers and are still being produced by the company. They were a household name at least one or two watches in each family. Therefore to say that these watches are scarcely available would not be true as they are still available in India across cities. If one searches earnestly these watches are available with watch dealers and in HMT showrooms as New-Old-Stock. Another important thing is the demand for these watches, which would increase the competition amongst buyers prompting the sellers to increase its cost. The demand for HMT mechanical watches has increased over a period of time but whether it would catch the fancy of watch collectors in large numbers is something to be observed in future. However, there are quite a few models from HMT that are scarcely available as they were not released in large numbers and are hardly available now e.g. excel, leo, roman automatic, Jawahar, kaushal, bahadur etc. Premium prices are charged for these watches and a lot of fake/Franken watches also get sold to those HMT watch lovers who are unable to make out the difference.

I love mechanical movements: There are quite a few mechanical watch lovers and they the love simple yet intricate mechanical watch movements where gears in the gear-train work in tandem to help the user read accurate time. They prefer mechanical watch movements over the more accurate quartz movement.

I collect retro stuff: To some the nostalgia of the bygone era holds a lot of attraction. To such people HMT watches have a great retro appeal as HMT still continues to use the designs from the 60s. They love to pick-up the watches with a retro appeal. E.g. some love the blue color sunray dial of an Avinash watch which was typical of the 80s and the disco era, others love the white dial Janata watches with the typical 19^th century look.

I collect what I like: There people collect only what they like irrespective of the brand of they watch. It’s the vibe as they say that they get from the watch that really matters. To them it’s the entire package and the appeal of the watch that makes them choose a particular watch. To them the movement of the watch or the company of the watch does not matter.

I collect a watch for its unique dial/movement: These are the people who collect watches which have a unique dial or a different complication in the movement. They look for specific watches like a kaushal or Bahadur or a chirag watch for its unique dial. Such people often look for a pocket watch from HMT or a Taurus watch for its banner date calendar movement.

I collect watches and would like to add selected iconic watches from different brands: People in this category are watch lovers that love collecting watches from different brands and would add the watches from a brands that are quite famous. Such people mostly collect selected watches from HMT like Janata, sona, pilot and Jawan. To them the watches that are synonymous with a brands name are a must have.

I wear all my watches and collect watches for different occasions, moods etc: Watch lovers that look for a specific type of watch or dial colour fall under this category. They would pick up a Janata because they need a white dial watch or would need a simple and elegant looking watch. They might pick up a Pilot for its retro and evergreen looks. They would buy a sona watch as they might be looking for a beautiful yet economical dress watch. These are the guys next door whose watch collection is limited to a few watches and these watches would cover all the occasions in their life. They would buy a track watch for its sporty looks or a chirag watch for its Friday evening social get- together look.

I buy watches to gift it to others: I have often come across people who are on a constant lookout for unique gifts to impress their friends and business associates. To them HMT watch is as a unique gift option. In their opinion it’s a long lasting gift that reminds the receiver of the giver without burning a hole in the pocket of the giver as affordable price range is synonymous with the HMT brand. To such people model and make of the model does not matter much. They try and find a watch which bears the name of the receiver or the one that goes best with the taste of the receiver of the gift. They are usually not a watch collector themselves.

I need a watch in my name: This is one of the biggest reasons why people want to buy an HMT watch thesedays. HMT released various models in most of the common Indian names and I am yet to come across a person who would not be curious once he comes to know that there is a watch that has his name on its dial. Such people just buy that one watch in their name and conclude their quest for HMT watches. However, there are quite a few people who end up buying more watches as the HMT watch fever catches on them with their first watch. The model name on the dial of the watch is the sole reason behind the purchase of a watch for these people.  

I want to learn horology and am looking for watches to study: To a student of horology an HMT watch movements provides an excellent opportunity to hone his skills. These folks would buy used HMT watches, then open up the watches and study its parts to assemble them back. Since a second hand watch is quite inexpensive it provides the students of horology a cost effective opportunity to conduct horological experiments. Such people mostly buy used winding and auto-winding HMT watches.

If you think that there are other motivation factors behind a person’s collection of HMT watches; do share the same with us by commenting on this blog.

Why HMT Watches ?

In this post i will attempt at sharing the reasons behind people's attraction of these watches. This attraction further leads to the craze of collecting them. These differ from person to person.

Below are a few that I know of:

Nostalgia: Most of the people growing up in the 80s and earlier in India know these watches.They have seen them on the wrists of the elders of their family. People relive those good old days with these watches on their wrists.

Mechanical watch lovers: HMT becomes an obvious choice for mechanical watch lovers along with Allwyn, Titoni, favre leuba, henry Sandoz etc. These watches have a good movement and are quite economical as far as their prices are concerned.

Guinea pig of Green Horn Horologists: People who are new to horology and want to try their hand at watch maintenance and repair often purchase old HMT watches to hone their skills.

Unique yet economical gifts: These watches act as an excellent gift during the festive season as they are unique yet economical. They create a lasting impression and last long with the receiver of gift and to top it all the prices are well within the budget.

Retro Look: Retro is the new cool..from old cars to scooters and bikes everything is making a comeback. Fashion from the good old days is in vogue from thin ties to big sunglasses. The retro designs of HMT mechanical and automatic watches are a major attraction.

Antique Value: Though highly debatable, some people believe that the old HMT watch models which are out of production line for long have an antique value. They speculate that considering the current state of HMT watches, the company might stop producing mechanical watches all together in few years and most of the old models that are out of production for long might fetch them a good return against their current investment.

Poor man’s Rado: Many of the older watches from HMT have a striking similarity with the Rado’s and the omegas etc. These watches thus became the next best thing for those who could not purchase the luxury pocket burner watches.

Suitable design and style for Indian population: Most of the HMT watches have 35-36 mm dial which is ideal for an average Indian wristsize. Though with time the focus is now on the 40+ mm dials. From simple designs of Janata, Sona and Pilot watch to the blingy Kanchan, Kedar, Sourabh watches there is a watch for every occasion and taste.

Wear your name on your wrist: Dale Carnegie aptly said that a person’s name is the sweetest sound to his ears. The most attractive thing about these watches are the names of these watches. These watches were named after the most common Indian names e.g. Vijay, Akash, Kedar, Veena, Prabhat, Usha etc. A person would love to wear a watch bearing his/her name on his/her wrist.

Low maintenance and hassle free: The good thing about these watches is that they are hassle free. Once you buy them there is almost zero maintenance apart from a broken crystal or a strap and that too after a long time. I know people who have been wearing their watches for decades without any maintenance. The maintenance charges are quite cheap and the parts are easily replaceable.

Swadeshi – Be Indian buy Indian: A lot of Indian citizens love to use only “Made by an Indian company” products. These watches are fully made in India and gives sense of pride to Indians.  

In addition to this there might be a number of other reasons and you can share the same in your comments.Also, would love to hear from you any suggestions on particular areas that you want me to cover in this series.

Till such time keep ticking.