TOUCHED BY TIME

I am often posed with questions like, ‘Which is your favourite watch?’ That is rightfully followed by ‘What is it about the watch that appeals to you the most?’ My response to these questions remains unchanged—I like a watch that is easy to read and to operate. How often do people actually use the multitude of functions that watches offer? I have asked watch connoisseurs and some of our regular readers this question time and again. Basically, most of us use a watch merely to know the time but there are others—watch aficionados and connoisseurs—who use every possible function, with watches like Panerai’s Luminor Chrono Daylight Titanium, Tissot’s T-Navigator 3000 and Breitling’s Airwolf Raven Chronograph SuperQuartz Watch, to name a few.

I would like to sum up by saying that a clear display of time is one of the most important factors in any kind of watch. With multiple functions and complications, it is often a challenge for manufacturers to display time in an easy-to-read manner. What continues to amaze me is that brands manage to accomplish this objective, whilst incorporating the finer nuances of haute horlogerie.

This feeling was reinforced at a unique watch launch that was hosted by A. Lange & Söhne. It is renowned for its superb craftsmanship, contemporary manufactory, traditional values and also known to be extremely understated, yet regarded as the epitome of luxury, one that is founded on emotional values. May 5, 2009 will be treasured in my memory as one the most memorable days of my life. On this day, I experienced the most unusual sitdown dinner, followed by a rather extraordinary launch of the brand’s new watch collection. The dinner was called ‘dinner in dark.’ We were escorted by young blind boys and girls into a pitch-dark hall, only to be served by blind people. It was a moment as enlightening as could be—I felt so aware of my sense of sight, something that is taken for granted by most of us. It was amazing to experience how the other senses work with superb efficiency when one stops functioning.

The event then saw the unveiling of the Lange Zeitwerk watch, the first mechanical wristwatch with a truly eloquent jumping numeral display that comes with unparalleled clarity. Thanks to the unparalleled size of its numerals, it tells the current time with a mere cursory glance. With a whispered click, and within a fraction of a second, the minute display advances step by step, until the watch initiates the big jump at the top of the hour. At this point, all three numeral discs switch forward simultaneously and instantaneously by exactly one unit. Here, timekeeping is elevated to the status of an event. The perfect moment of the showdown is at 11:59—high noon, in a wide screen format. The second’s hand embarks on its leisurely trajectory along the periphery of the dial. Time seems to slow down as its course is deliberately observed. Thirty seconds to go (the second-by-second countdown to 12:00)… It was one small step for a watch, but a giant leap in horology.

So this was the most touching global luxury watch launch and as we move back home, we are pleased to understand that the luxury watch segment in India is the only segment that has equalled last year’s turnover and has marginally added to its revenues this year. It comes as a relief to know that this segment is a product category preferred by consumers. The recent revelation of Manishi Sanwal, General Manager, LVMH Watch & Jewellery (India), stating that TAG Heuer’s sales turnover in India was above last year’s by five to 10 per cent, therefore comes as a silver lining in these dark times.

There is a lot that we are unveiling in the special report on BASELWORLD to be distributed with The Economic Times this month. So all you watch connoisseurs and our cherished readers, ensure that you don’t miss the issue, especially since you may end up winning a watch. Stay lucky!

Cheers

Anita Khatri
anita.khatri@gmail.com