Titan’s brand-new luxury watch
All watches tell time, but there are a few timepieces that tell a story. Titan’s new creation, Jalsa, falls squarely in the latter category, and the story is definitely worth narrating. Marking its 40th anniversary with utter flair, Titan has officially ventured into the world of haute horology with what is arguably its most luxurious and technically ambitious timepiece ever. And yes, the price tag attached to it is no joke either!
Apart from being Titan’s entry into luxury watches, Jalsa is a celebration of Indian heritage, art, and craftsmanship, all housed within a meticulously engineered case of 18k rose gold.
To bring this timepiece to life, Titan turned to master artist and Padma Shri awardee Shakir Ali, one of the last grandmasters of miniature Persian-style painting. Shakir Ali hand-painted image of Maharaja Sawai Pratap Singh on the dial, the visionary behind Jaipur’s Hawa Mahal, which also happens to be celebrating its 225th year. The symbolism couldn’t be more apt.
The process of painting this masterpiece was as painstaking as it was poetic. After testing a variety of materials — paper, wood, metal — Ali settled on marble. Not the easiest of choices but certainly the most meaningful, given Rajasthan’s rich relationship with the stone.
The gold and artistry aside, Jalsa is Titan’s first timepiece to feature a fully in-house developed flying tourbillon — a feature usually associated with centuries-old Swiss watchmakers. And with only ten pieces ever made, it’s already generating quiet buzz among serious collectors.
Of course, when you’re hand-painting on marble with brushes that use a single hair, there will be slight variations. But that’s the beauty of it. No two watches are exactly alike. It will be interesting to see how the watch generates buzz among the watch connoisseurs of India.