[arindambasu13]

Originally Posted by AZT

Can you tell me any forums or facebook groups where you can find reliable sellers for other watches.

Marketplace @India Watch Company is a Facebook group that you can join . It is exclusively for sale and trading of watches among members. Have sold a couple through this.

[Jaguar]

Originally Posted by amvj

An interesting read about this limited edition Pilot:

https://www.thetimebum.com/2013/10/c...t-limited.html

https://www.thetimebum.com/2013/10/i...lks-about.html

The first HMT I bought was the White Pilot. It looks identical to the limited edition but doesn't say "limited edition" on the case back though. Did HMT make more than the limited 500?

Edit: Apparently they did make more than 500 and mine is from that lot https://techenclave.com/threads/go-h...-hands.151600/

[turbowhistle]

I have been following this Italian microbrand called Meccaniche Veneziane since it came up in the kickstarters and finally snagged a piece after eyeing for almost a year as I was really impressed by the design and how it looked nothing like a homage.

This is the link of the particular watch I got, the stainless steel case is a comfortable 42mm and it has a domed sapphire crystal. It’s a dive watch so there is also 200M of water resistance which I don't think I will try with the leather strap.

https://www.meccanicheveneziane.it/c...-o42mm-1302012

Here are some photos of the watch,


Looks like million bucks to me

[navin_v8]

Originally Posted by noopster

Serious question: apart from woolly sentimentalism is there any value to collecting HMT watches? Do they, for example, appreciate in value and are they perceived as collectibles with some long-term value? Asking because I see so many posts here about HMT.

Asking this question is akin to asking, if there is any value in buying HM Ambassador, Fiat 1100, Bajaj Chetak, etc. HMT watches (mostly mechanical models) evoke a sense of nostalgia of the bygone era. In addition no credible watch company in the world offers an authentic mechanical hand winding watch with inhouse movement for as low as ₹3000 odd. The inhouse movement 0231 that HMT used in its manual hand wind models is based on and licensed from Miyota Japan's movement. The movement has been more or less the same as it was during the inception in the 1960's.

In the world of horology, companies which produce movements inhouse are held in high regard. HMT uses the movement based on Miyota albeit it builds them inhouse rather than buying movements in bulk from Miyota which many other companies do, especially fashion brands.

There is a market for HMT mechanical watches around the world as I witnessed on some watch forums. Watch enthusiasts will lap up watches having inhouse movements. HMT still manufacturing it's vintage model at affordable prices is another cherry on top. The day when they stop producing watches or run out of stock is when the watches might appreciate in value. One can argue there are too many of them to appreciate in value but I have witnessed a time when people were paying ₹10000 for a new old stock HMT Pilot watch.

[girishv]

Originally Posted by girishv

Just now bought three on the right

Wanted to update my own post with a bad and good news.

Bad: The mechanical pilot watch which I bought with so much of nostalgia, started giving trouble. The winding button was not getting pushed in properly and used to click at some position after several attempts.

Good : Took it to the shop at hmt bhavan, they had a look at it for few seconds and replaced with a newer watch with old straps.

Was wondering how many days they will take to repair abs give it back abs in what condition. Never expected this from a company older than my father.

Thank you hmt.

[asingh1977]

Originally Posted by Jaguar

The first HMT I bought was the White Pilot. It looks identical to the limited edition but doesn't say "limited edition" on the case back though. Did HMT make more than the limited 500?

Edit: Apparently they did make more than 500 and mine is from that lot

Yes, you are correct. 500 were made, via a GO on watchuseek. I got one from there. They did a second GO too, with a bigger dial and exhibition case back.

[amvj]

I need to replace the cracked glass on my HMT Kohinoor. I see HMT has three shops. I want to go to the place where they have a shop and service centre.

https://www.hmtwatches.in/18/sales/retail.htm

What is the difference between these three shops? The last one is mentioned as a souvenir shop which sounds exciting.



It is approximately 35KM from my home. I am a bit reluctant to drive that much distance inside the city so want to gather information as much as possible.

[AZT]

I'm looking to add an HMT, would be cool to own a home grown Indian watch brand. I liked the white pilot above, are there any similar suggestions which are still available.

[somspaple]

Originally Posted by noopster

Serious question: apart from woolly sentimentalism is there any value to collecting HMT watches? Do they, for example, appreciate in value and are they perceived as collectibles with some long-term value? Asking because I see so many posts here about HMT.

If you are looking at monetary value I guess there is not much at least in the near future. Apart from that, the complete watch collecting hobby is based on 'woolly sentimentalism' irrespective of brand.

About HMT :first thing, these watches cost just around 3K INR. In my view they are great VFM when compared to other mechanical watches. And the brand has credible history and licensed in house movement. That's a lot compared to competition [if there is any at this price point!]

I've heard that the quality is not that great when it comes to new HMTs and my bad experience with new HMT watch is limited to hand applied lume which kinda looks shabby. But so far my 3 new HMT Watches have been running just fine [along with Dad's 30+ years old HMT Automatic].

Originally Posted by AZT

I'm looking to add an HMT, would be cool to own a home grown Indian watch brand. I liked the white pilot above, are there any similar suggestions which are still available.

My favourit is HMT Pilot Classic Black dial!!

[Traveler]

Originally Posted by amvj

I need to replace the cracked glass on my HMT Kohinoor. I see HMT has three shops. I want to go to the place where they have a shop and service centre.

https://www.hmtwatches.in/18/sales/retail.htm

What is the difference between these three shops? The last one is mentioned as a souvenir shop which sounds exciting.

Attachment 2145669

It is approximately 35KM from my home. I am a bit reluctant to drive that much distance inside the city so want to gather information as much as possible.

I have been to all three outlets. The Jalahalli one and the Souvenir Shop are quite close to each other. Infact the Souvenir shop is within the HMT museum premises, however it is the smallest of all.

Regarding servicing , the Jalahalli one has a service centre in the same premises from what I could understand. They once replaced my new Janata since it was delivered in a damaged condition. They definitely have the service department somewhere close by.

The Bellary road one is as big as the Jalahalli one and usually has a bigger variety. It's housed in the Corporate Office of HMT. They will also have a service center in-house .

Best to call them before you visit, that way you can be sure they have the parts and the associated time it will take them to fix it.

[noopster]

Originally Posted by navin_v8

Asking this question is akin to asking, if there is any value in buying HM Ambassador, Fiat 1100, Bajaj Chetak, etc. HMT watches (mostly mechanical models) evoke a sense of nostalgia of the bygone era. In addition no credible watch company in the world offers an authentic mechanical hand winding watch with inhouse movement for as low as ₹3000 odd. The inhouse movement 0231 that HMT used in its manual hand wind models is based on and licensed from Miyota Japan's movement. The movement has been more or less the same as it was during the inception in the 1960's.

Thank you for that reply- it really helped clarify things

On another note, anyone has any opinion on Ice Watch? Found them when browsing Ethos and love the look of them especially the solar watches. Pretty affordable as well.

[navin_v8]

Originally Posted by noopster

Thank you for that reply- it really helped clarify things

On another note, anyone has any opinion on Ice Watch? Found them when browsing Ethos and love the look of them especially the solar watches. Pretty affordable as well.

You're welcome mate. I am not sure about Ice watches, it looks like many of those fashion brands. If you want a solar powered watch then Casio has some really good watches in their regular as well as G-Shock line up. As a watch enthusiast I steer clear of fashion brands and usually don't recommend them. Most of them use cheap Chinese movements and charge a bomb. Some fashion brands (like Esprit) do use the Japanese Miyota quartz movements. One can buy watches from credible companies like the Japanese Big 4 companies like Seiko, Citizen, Orient, Casio, etc. who have been in watch making business since many decades. Quartz, Solar, Kinetic or Automatic is one's choice.

Originally Posted by AZT

I'm looking to add an HMT, would be cool to own a home grown Indian watch brand. I liked the white pilot above, are there any similar suggestions which are still available.

Hello mate, there is no fixed timeframe on when the watches come in stock on the HMT watch website. It is purely luck or one has to be in the right time at the right place. They do have a notify me option when the watch comes in stock but I am not sure if it works.

Apart from Pilot there are other options such as Janata and Karna if you like clean simple dials. Both these models come in white dial. You can also check out the Kohinoor which has a cushion case design and comes in white dial. All these watches that I mentioned are mechanical hand wind watches. There are also battery quartz options but I being old school always pickup mechanical ones as they are value for money and will easily outlast quartz models. I have HMT watches from the late 60's and 70's still running flawlessly.

[AZT]

Originally Posted by navin_v8

I have HMT watches from the late 60's and 70's still running flawlessly.

Thanks. I already have mechanical watches and I just wanted to own this more as a piece of Indian watchmaking history. Will definitely check the website for when back in stock.

[avi550m]

My first Analog G-Shock. The Casioak GA2110 in grey.

[mav2000]

Originally Posted by noopster

Thank you for that reply- it really helped clarify things

On another note, anyone has any opinion on Ice Watch? Found them when browsing Ethos and love the look of them especially the solar watches. Pretty affordable as well.

Ice Watch is one of those which was a fashion fad a few years ago. But I guess that fad has died down now.