The iconic Nilgiris Mountain Railway (NMR) — one in every of the world’s last-remaining steam-powered railways that chugs up the hills from Mettupalayam to Udhagamandalam — is the muse of Coromandel Watch Co., primarily based in The Nilgiris. Last week, the model launched Blue Mountain Edition, limited to 300 timepieces, as an ode to the 125-year journey of the practice that covers 16 tunnels, over 200 steep curves and 257 bridges, utilizing the rack-and-pinion system.
“Personally, it’s a tribute to the NMR, which I hopped on to during my stint in the hospitality industry with the Taj group,” says Shibin VS, co-founder of Coromandel Watch Co., which forayed into the microbrand watch trade in 2022. Originally generally known as Watch Projects, a classic and pre-owned on-line watch retailer, the firm bought classic watches sourced from throughout the world. Then, as Madras Watch Works, themodel’s journey in watchmaking began in September 2023 with the launch of the Marina Edition, earlier than rebranding the firm as Coromandel Watch Co. He provides that he typically took the practice for his journey again dwelling whereas engaged on shifts between Coonoor and Ooty. “A ride on NMR is a throwback to a time when life was slower. The scenery brings an instant calm and I reached home feeling refreshed,” he remembers.
The again case options an engraving of the Nilgiri Mountain Railway
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The Blue Mountain Edition, a collector’s merchandise, takes inspiration from Heuer’s Camaro variant, a Nineteen Sixties mannequin that’s now not in manufacturing. Tag acquired Heuer in the Eighties. “This model of the iconic brand paid tribute to a racing car. We took the design inspiration from there but crafted it as a tribute to the train steeped in history”, he explains, including that the watch has mechanical motion tailored from pocket watches created in the seventeenth Century.
A watch fanatic, Shibin shares that there’s something particular about mechanical watches, powered by a mainspring, a coiled steel spring that shops vitality. “As the mainspring unwinds, it transfers energy through a series of gears and springs, powering the watch and its functions. This intricate system of moving parts sets mechanical watches apart from their quartz watch counterparts, which are powered by batteries,” he describes.
The limited-edition watch at present is available in a single variant with silver sunburst dial. “We have used ‘To in class crystal’ called sapphire crystal for the built, highly resistant to scratches, often used in high-end watches like Tissot, Rolex and Omega. The case is a 316 surgical-grade stainless steel; the leather strap comes from Crazy Horse, a line of pull-up premium leather, that eventually creates a patina, vintage look,” explains Shibin.
Marina Edition 2.0
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The Blue Mountain Edition makes use of Miyota OS21 Chronograph Quartz motion, made by Citizen in Japan, and has a chronograph perform too. “ Apart from keeping time, it measures the elapsed time while indicating the current time. Though chronograph watches have nothing to do with the railways, but every second counts when the chronograph function is activated on your watch, much like the synchronised working of the train’s rack-and-pinion mechanism. As NMR that enjoys UNESCO’s World Heritage Site status, climbs the blue mountains with power and precision, the watch mirrors its spirit. We chose a quartz chronograph because it reflects the same reliability, accuracy and functionality that the NMR stands for,” says Shibin including that his motive is to create consciousness about the appeal of mechanical watches.
“Our first two launches, Marina Edition 2.0 and the Tanjore Edition, are automatic watches with Seiko NH35 and Seiko NH35A movements that are mechanical. There is growing craze for such innovations among the Gen Z. A swing back to the 1990s, when brands like HMTs and Seikos ruled because of the characteristic mechanism. For example, some of these watches work with hand movement. As your hand moves, the watch works.”
Shibin began Coromandel Watch Co. alongside along with his pal Amit Sudevan. “We wanted to put together mechanical watches that people can relate to. Especially, for Indians settled abroad, names like Tanjore, Marina or The Blue Mountain evoke sentimental value. It is nostalgic and brings an emotional connection with their homeland,” says Shibin including that he imports spare elements from distributors throughout the nation. As he’s additionally a part of boards like Madras Watch Collectors, which he calls ‘humble watch groups’ in small cities and cities, Shibin networks with collectors from horology golf equipment like Delhi Watch Collectors Group, or Chronoholics.
Spare elements are sourced from distributors throughout the nation
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He has been accumulating watches for over a decade. “One of the first watches I bought with my first salary was a Casio Edifice. My father gifted me a Casio when I was young. It was handed to him by my grandfather. I started with collecting Casios, and added HMT’s rare collectibles, Citizen Orca (diver’s watch), Citizen Sciko and as many as 26 vintage watches which I collected from thrift stores and online market places. I keep wearing them on rotation for different occasions. My Sunday mornings are spent with coffee and my treasured collection.”
Shibin VS
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In the final one yr, the firm has bought lots of of watches throughout India apart from the US, UK and Gulf international locations. “There’s so much of mechanism on your wrist with the wheels and springs to keep the time. The watches use the same mechanism of the 17th Century, the good old way of keeping time,” he says, including, “It’s like wearing history on your wrist.”
The Blue Mountain Edition by Coromandel Watch Co. begins at ₹8,000 on coromandelwatchco.com
Published – June 13, 2025 06:21 pm IST
