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READ FULL STORYIndia has emerged not merely as a market but as a stage for refined horological appreciation. A new generation of discerning collectors, well-versed in the art of watchmaking, has turned large urban hubs into booming markets for the world’s most elite watch houses. Swiss and European luxury watch brands have answered with bespoke boutiques, India-only limited editions, and tailored experiences that reflect both the nation’s cultural richness and its growing affinity for timeless luxury. Here are the 10 best luxury watch brands in India as of 2025.
IWC Schaffhausen
IWC Schaffhausen combines American industrial practicality with Swiss accuracy. Established in 1868, the company is renowned for its robust pilot watches with considerable wrist presence. Their Portugieser line features distinctive railway-track chapter rings and seven-day power reserves, while the reimagined Ingenieur showcases technical prowess through exposed bezel screws and architectural dial designs. The brand’s reputation for engineered reliability has attracted India’s luxury watch enthusiasts seeking understated technical sophistication rather than ostentatious displays of wealth.
Cartier
Cartier’s relationship with India extends back generations, most famously when Maharaja Bhupinder Singh of Patiala commissioned the legendary Patiala Necklace in 1928. A masterpiece featuring the world’s seventh-largest diamond, the De Beers. This royal connection resurfaced dramatically at the 2025 Met Gala when Diljit Dosanjh paid homage to this heritage by wearing a Cartier timepiece. The French maison’s unmistakable aesthetic, Roman numerals, blue sword hands, and sapphire cabochon crowns permeate India’s luxury watch landscape. The Tank, inspired by military machinery, remains the definitive rectangular timepiece. The Santos (1904) endures as history’s earliest purpose-designed wristwatch. Indian collectors prize Cartier’s equilibrium between jewellery craftsmanship and horological expertise, equally suited to corporate and formal settings.
Rolex
The undisputed sovereign of India’s luxury watches market. As India’s millionaire population exceeds 800,000 and continues growing rapidly, Rolex has become the quintessential first luxury investment. Precision, durability and investment value establish Rolex as the quintessential success emblem. The Oyster Perpetual line showcases the revolutionary waterproof case that cemented the brand’s reputation. The Submariner persists as the archetypal diving instrument. For India’s commercial elite, a Rolex functions simultaneously as a practical tool and status marker, with year-long waiting periods for professional watch models.
Omega
One hundred sixty years of heritage paired with mechanical advancement. Omega’s space exploration legacy, established when the Speedmaster accompanied lunar missions, remains a symbol of human ambition and precision. The Seamaster’s distinctive wave pattern and robust construction, popularised through cinematic associations, have found eager adoption among India’s elite. The proprietary Co-Axial escapement demonstrates their commitment to horological progress, appealing to technically-minded enthusiasts demanding both precision and history.
India has become the 12th largest market in terms of value for Omega luxury watches. It’s positioning across India’s ₹2,50,000 to multi-lakh price spectrum captures both aspiring professionals making their first luxury purchase and established collectors seeking technical sophistication.
BVLGARI
Bulgari is the epitome of Italian design philosophy combined with Swiss accuracy. Post-LVMH acquisition, the brand has thrived in the luxury watches culture of India. With brand ambassador Priyanka Chopra representing its global appeal, Bulgari has flourished in India’s luxury watch culture following its LVMH acquisition. The Serpenti collection has become a staple among the elite of Bollywood, whilst the octagonal Octo Finissimo collection has set several worldwide records for ultra-thinness. Indian collectors especially value Bulgari’s architectural case designs and bold colour themes, which blend in with traditional Indian sensibilities.
Hublot
Hublot disrupted traditional watchmaking by pioneering unconventional material combinations. The brand’s “Art of Fusion” philosophy, first exemplified by pairing gold with rubber straps, resonates with India’s next-generation collectors seeking bold statement pieces. The Big Bang collection, with its distinctive exposed screws and multi-material construction, has found particular favour among India’s sporting, technology, and entertainment elites. Hublot’s strategic collaborations with cricket personalities have further cemented its position in India’s luxury watches hierarchy.
Jaeger-LeCoultre
Known as the “Grande Maison of the Vallée de Joux,” Jaeger-LeCoultre represents horological excellence in its purest form. With 185 years of heritage and over 1,000 different calibres created, Jaeger-LeCoultre commands tremendous respect among India’s serious collectors. The Reverso, with its ingenious reversible case originally designed for British Army officers playing polo in colonial India, enjoys special historical significance in the subcontinent. The Polaris collection seamlessly blends elegance with functionality through exceptional finishing and artistic crafts like lacquering, establishing Jaeger-LeCoultre as the connoisseur’s choice among Indian luxury watch aficionados.
Panerai
An aesthetic rooted in Italian naval supply history cultivates devotion among masculine timepiece enthusiasts. Cushion-shaped cases, minimalist dials and exceptional luminescence create an unmistakable identity. The Luminor’s crown-protecting bridge and the Radiomir’s wire lugs have become coveted emblems for India’s professional classes. Panerai’s synthesis of military utility, Italian design, and Swiss expertise appeals to those seeking substantial timepieces with authentic heritage.
Girard-Perregaux
Origins dating to 1791 place Girard-Perregaux among watchmaking’s aristocracy. Their Tourbillon with Three Gold Bridges exemplifies architectural movement design. The Laureato, with octagonal bezel and integrated bracelet, offers distinctive sporty-chic aesthetics appealing to India’s urbane professionals. For collectors seeking technically sophisticated watches with exceptional finishing, Girard-Perregaux’s in-house calibres deliver mechanical artistry transcending generations.
Zenith
Since 1865, Zenith has pursued uncompromising horological excellence. Their defining achievement, the 1969 El Primero movement, continues evolving with variants measuring 1/100th second. This technical virtuosity earns respect among mechanically-inclined enthusiasts. The Defy showcases innovation through skeletonisation and advanced materials. For India’s emerging collectors seeking serious luxury watches with authentic mechanical credentials, Zenith offers exceptional complication-to-value proposition.
The Enduring Appeal of Mechanical Artistry
As we journey into the year 2025, India’s burgeoning luxury watch market continues to place a premium on these horological wonders as extensions of tradition, innovation, and artistic genius. The discerning Indian collector understands that these mechanical marvels represent something increasingly precious in our digital age, the perfect synthesis of human ingenuity, artistic expression, and mechanical precision, captured within the confines of one’s wrist.

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