time-business


Indian leading watchmaker Titan impresses with Jalsa flying tourbillon

August 2025


Indian leading watchmaker Titan impresses with Jalsa flying tourbillon

India’s foremost watchmaking company – and one of the largest worldwide – makes its first official foray into the world of fine complications, as it enters the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève with Jalsa, a tourbillon timepiece that unites the artistic splendour of Indian miniature painting with the precision engineering of a flying tourbillon. This marks a defining moment for Indian horology on the global stage.

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ith Jalsa, an 18K rose gold masterpiece creation blending age-old Indian métiers d’art and high watchmaking, Titan affirms its long-term ambition to cultivate world-class high watchmaking expertise. As Indian horology evolves beyond accessible timepieces toward the mastery of complications, it is not merely a product milestone – it is a cultural and industrial statement.

Titan, India’s foremost watchmaker and one of the largest producers worldwide, sells over 15 million watches annually. Building on a diversified portfolio of brands serving the high volume mid market, the company continues to strengthen its presence in the premium and luxury space wih high horology timepieces. In a bold step for both the brand and Indian horology, Titan officially enters the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) 2025 with Jalsa – an ultra-limited edition flying tourbillon created by its luxury timepiece brand, Nebula.

Founded in 1984 and part of the Tata Group (2024 sales totalled USD 150 billion), the company has spent the past four decades cultivating manufacturing depth, design culture, and a reputation for reliability – with iconic brands such as Titan, Fastrack, Raga, and Nebula. Now, with Jalsa , it makes its first official foray into the world of fine complications.

Jalsa is an ultra-limited edition of just 10 pieces, and Titan's entry to the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève 2025.
Jalsa is an ultra-limited edition of just 10 pieces, and Titan’s entry to the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2025.

The project was launched with a three-year mandate: to design, engineer, and assemble a mechanical tourbillon of international standard entirely in-house – and to dress it in the rich codes of Indian artistry. The result is an ultra-limited edition of just 10 pieces, and Titan’s entry to the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2025.

On the dial a story unfolds, a miniature painting by the hand of Padma Shri awardee Shakir Ali, one of India’s most revered miniature painters. Using a brush with the thinness of a single-hair and natural pigments derived from gemstones according to age-old and secret recipes, the artist has rendered a royal procession in front of Jaipur’s famed Hawa Mahal, the Palace of Winds – an iconic Rajasthani palace celebrating its 225th anniversary in 2025.

Each dial is painted on a base of polished white marble, making each timepiece a singular museum-worthy work of art.

Indian leading watchmaker Titan impresses with Jalsa flying tourbillon

The 18K rose gold case is built as a layered three-part layered construction, designed in-house under the direction Mahendra Chauhan, Titan’s Head of Design. A ring of luminous red agate – long associated with protection and power in Indian lore – forms the case middle. The gemstone is echoed on the movement’s bridges, visible through the sapphire crystal exhibition caseback.

Inside, yet in full view, a flying tourbillon movement beats with confidence. Entirely conceived, engineered and assembled by Titan’s watchmaking division – in partnership with Swiss experts to meet global standards of haute horlogerie – the calibre comprises 144 parts and 14 jewels. It operates at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vph), allowing for a 48-hour power reserve.

Indian leading watchmaker Titan impresses with Jalsa flying tourbillon

Under the domed sapphire crystal that brings out the richness of the dial’s canvas, a poetic design flourish reimagines the traditional date magnifier as an invitation to look deeper and explore. Counterpoised on the minute hand, a sapphire crystal lens opens a revolving window onto the intricate miniature painting – revealing, with the rhythm of time passing, the delicate details of a royal procession set against the Hawa Mahal, in a subtle yet powerful tribute to the fabled Jaipur landmark’s 225th anniversary. For a few minutes each hour, the magnifier gracefully hovers above the tourbillon, intensifying the experience: a fleeting alignment that draws the eye into the heart of the mechanism, where emotion and precision converge in a quiet dialogue between art and time.

Jalsa is limited to 10 numbered pieces, each priced at ₹40.5 lakhs (approx. €45,000). It stands as Titan’s official entry for the GPHG 2025, and India’s most refined horological statement on the world stage to date.

Indian leading watchmaker Titan impresses with Jalsa flying tourbillon

“With Jalsa, we mark a decisive step in Titan’s ambition to build a premium segment within our watchmaking portfolio. This piece is a reflection of our vision – to bring India’s deep cultural heritage into conversation with the standards of haute horlogerie.” Kalpana Rangamani, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, Titan Company Ltd – Luxury Watches

“Jalsa is far more than a watch – it is proof that India can speak the language of high watchmaking with fluency and conviction. From its architecture to its artistic treatment, this is a watch fully designed and mastered in-house. From the start, our intention was to give Indian culture mechanical form. And what better medium than a tourbillon – that most poetic of complications – to express it? Collaborating with Shakir Ali allowed us to anchor JALSA in both memory and mastery.” Mahendra Chauhan, Head of Design - Product & UX - Watches, Wearables and Accessories.

“With Jalsa, we are not just launching a watch – we are presenting a cultural artefact. It is a rare fusion of India’s artistic magnificence and watchmaking mastery, brought to life by our teams with unrelenting passion. As we present JALSA to the world at GPHG, we do so with pride – for India, for Titan, and for everything we carry within us.” C K Venkataraman, Managing Director, Titan Company Ltd.

“Jalsa is more than design – it is conviction, legacy, and artistry woven into one extraordinary timepiece. It is the clearest expression yet of our intent to place Indian luxury and craftsmanship firmly on the global map. With this watch, we honour our past – and claim our future.” Revathi Kant, Chief Design Officer, Titan Company Ltd.

Indian leading watchmaker Titan impresses with Jalsa flying tourbillon

With a workforce of approximately 12,200 employees, and fully integrated design and manufacturing capabilities, Titan Company Ltd operates 11 production and assembly sites as well as a network of over 3,240 points of sale in 431 cities. Its international presence continues to expand across the Middle East, Southeast Asia, and North America.

At the pinnacle of Titan’s watchmaking expertise stands Nebula – India’s premier collection of solid 18K gold timepieces. Inspired by the country’s artistic and cultural heritage, Nebula combines fine materials with mechanical precision to create watches of rare elegance and enduring significance. Nebula watches are available at Titan World, Helios, Titan.co.in, and select luxury retailers.

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