watch can be marketed through DGS&D. i suppose the marketing dept of HMT is weak as the same in BSNL. Govt is poor in marketing. Nowadays DD has come in a big way. White collar persons in HMT should be reduced. they should give us buy back offer.....though i love my watch gifted by my father. HMT should enter Premium category....like, other than the material in moving parts all other parts should be of pure gold platinum etc. kindly see the chain of the Titan is very costly.
bicolour, my father bought it at Rs 350 in 1981 just before entering the engg college.my father's East end watch is still running even after my father's death in 1992 what he bought before my birth. now i do not wear watch for last ten years...mobile says me the time. i am shocked that HMT is closed while Titan etc is still running. HMT watch was born out of the precision culture of HMT Kerala for making huge machine. HMT could take the help of Flipcart etc as they are helping India post.
My late father received a HMT Sona as a long service award from L&T in 1968! I had treasured it for long but alas I cannot find it today; maybe we lost in the 2005 floods in Mumbai.
Re: HMT Sona
by Chandran KR on Sep 14, 2014 06:55 PM
I still have hmt watch; it is in my hometown. I had a digital watch bought for 232 Rupees and it lasted for more than 12 years. I did not have to change the battery for the first 10 years. It actually fell off my hand because the strap hinge holding the pin got worn out. I miss that watch.
If HMT has the knowhow to make mechanical/manual watches themselvs, they coukd market themselves as a premium brand. In this section, the history and the craftsmanship are premium elements. Look at Glashutte Chronowsiss etc.
I guess people may have never noticed but HMT has the signature watch company of India. Its manual & semi automatic watches can give some of the best brands in the world a run for their money, but we Indians can never respect things made in our country because we believe that whatever comes with a Made in is better.
HMT you are one of the best in the world and I will miss looking for your watches.
Re: HMT - The special one
by nagaraju on Sep 13, 2014 09:47 PM
It is not general public but corrupt officials at the helm of affaires responsible for closing down this great factory. Politicians recruited the top officials with vested interest. Looting was done openly. When Tatas opened their watch factory at Hosur, a 50 aims away in Tamil Nadu, several corrupt officials raced there carrying bag loads of spare parts. Public could not do anything. Recently the the Company lands were taken away by land sharks in connivance with govt officials and politicians.
Why Indian watch company HMT cannot survive today? is it due to workers fault or management's fault?I think both r negative.This is the fault of our GOVT.. policy.Due to open market policy we cannot compete with others. mainly with Chima.I can remember HMT SONA a very thin nice watch.Today's open market policy will destroy us. Our all production unit will close one by one. Our country men will not get any job, unemployment problem will more. Our leaders will sought for foreign investment but it will never solve our problems.India has a very big internal market so if we produce our own product and stop import business then we can established ourselves. BE INDIAN PURCHASE INDIAN GOODS.
Re: Why Indian watch company HMT cannot survive Today?
by TRILOK MEHTA on Sep 13, 2014 05:47 PM
No this is protective policy. Each of us wants good things in life. Unless there is competition we will not survive globally. HMT failed to innovate. If mechanical watches were outdated they shud have gone in for Electronic watches. Competition is a must.
I purchased one HMT watch Rajat Automatic-Day and date from CSD Canteen sometime around 1975. It is still in working condition and there are no repairs until this date except regular maintenance. Of late, I do not use regularly as it is heavy compared to digital watches. However, I keep it running. I am fully satisfied with the quality and accuracy of the watch. I use it whenever I give other watch for repairs. Many persons asked me for this piece, but I flatly refused. I am very proud of its possession. I tried with no success a number of times to download the photo of my HMT watch – Rajat Automatic – Day and Date- on Mera - Wala HMT-on Sept 12. The photograph shows a great accuracy between the date time of digital camera. How do I send now the photo to you? Vyankatesh Lokre Saturday, September 13, 2014
Purchased in 1975, I still have it, those days it was extremely difficult to procure PILOT models. One of friends who during that time purchased a printing press from HMT, who somehow managed one for me. A rare piece with a large black dial.
HMT will always be associated with the great Indian watch making tradition. It is very sad to learn that we will no longer be able to buy those watches. In a way it is shame for every Indian who instead of accepting "SWADESHI" are crazy about Gucci, Citizen, Tag etc...What quality watches and what great name brand was it once upon a time. It used to sell like hot cakes. Very sad and tragic end of a great watch Indian brand. Not to mention how many peoples have lost their jobs and how many families their bread. If I had the money I would have bought this brand and made it a world class product. Anyhow, everything which comes goes and which goes comes back. HMT will be back for sure. It will always remain in our hearts.
