Bangalore Watch Company, an Indian luxury mechanical watch brand, has raised US$1.4 million in a Seed round from a group of its own customers. The investors include family office principals and high-net-worth individuals based in India and overseas. The company plans to use the fresh capital to strengthen its position in the global independent watch market and expand its international retail presence.
Funding Details and Strategic Intent
The funding round was led by customer investors rather than traditional venture capital firms, reflecting strong collector confidence in the brand. Bangalore Watch Company intends to channel the capital into two or three strategic overseas locations in markets with established watch collector communities. It is also evaluating one additional location in India, while keeping its overall retail footprint deliberately focused.
Company Origins and Product Philosophy
Founded in 2018 by Nirupesh Joshi and Mercy Amalraj, Bangalore Watch Company manufactures mechanical watches in India and exports them to more than 30 countries. Its collections draw on themes such as aviation, space, cricket, and the outdoors, with an emphasis on modern Indian stories. The founders aim to present Swiss-quality watchmaking through Indian narratives that can appeal to a global audience without relying on conventional design stereotypes.
Materials and Technical Credentials
The brand has developed watches using recovered fighter-plane aluminum and materials sourced from aircraft carriers. It has also created its own Cerasteel material and has produced a watch that qualified for spaceflight. More recently, the company captured carbon from the atmosphere for use in its watch dials, reinforcing its focus on distinctive material innovation.
International Recognition
Bangalore Watch Company has participated in Dubai Watch Week 2025 and Geneva Watch Days 2026. Its watches have also been listed for the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, known as the GPHG Awards, three times in a row. These appearances have helped the brand build credibility among independent watch collectors and international industry audiences.
Retail Model and Customer Base
Despite its global ambitions, the company operates a single flagship boutique in Bengaluru and sells watches priced between ₹150,000 and ₹300,000. It reports a 30% repeat purchase rate and uses a concierge style service model that supports limited edition releases without a large retail network. This approach has allowed Bangalore Watch Company to maintain close relationships with collectors while scaling selectively.
Production Capacity and Market Context
The company currently has an annual production capacity of around 1,500 watches and plans to quadruple this figure over the next three to five years. The expansion comes as India ranks among the fastest growing importers of Swiss luxury watches, with average selling prices moving into the premium category. Rising disposable incomes have supported stronger demand for high quality mechanical timepieces in the Indian market.
Founder Perspectives
Cofounder Nirupesh Joshi noted that independent brands such as MING and Christopher Ward have shown that strong watch companies can emerge from anywhere with a clear point of view. He said Bangalore Watch Company believes India can be part of that global independent watch story with a distinctly modern Indian perspective. Cofounder Mercy Amalraj added that the opportunity now is to take watches built around modern India to collectors worldwide.
The Seed raise positions Bangalore Watch Company to expand internationally while preserving its identity as an Indian luxury watchmaker. By focusing on established collector markets and selective retail locations, the company aims to grow without diluting the storytelling and craftsmanship behind its products. Its progress will be closely watched by collectors and industry observers as Indian independent watchmaking gains global attention.