I purchased a HMT Rajat Automatic watch with Black dial and Red Markers in 1976 after getting a distinction in SSLC. Today, after 38 years, 4 servicings and 5 crystal changes, my watch looks and performs as good as any new watch gaining only 45 seconds per day. Subsequently, I also purchased a Rolex Datejust around 15 years ago and this watch apart from the AURA of wearing a ROLEX gains around the same time in 24 hours. HMT can be serviced in Belgaum and the crystal can be changed once in a while in only Rs. 50/- whereas my ROLEX has to be taken to Mumbai or Bangalore for regularly getting it serviced and the service bill runs in thousands. HMT service charges only Rs. 250/- in Belgaum. I urge every Indian to go for HMT watches instead of going for other Indian brands which have cheap chinese movements inside. Earlier the movements used to be MIYOTA from Japan, but all manufacturers are getting cheaper movements from China.
This effort looks like it is an effort to revive the brand. It truly makes sense if they are able to do though.. lots of change required, but it can sure ride on the nostalgia wave mixed with new range of products and slick promotion.
I get start use to my father very old HMT watch and get huge courage to change my self,specially in study,i got the good result but it's only very temporary basis.I remembered when i was in high school i go to a small tour in digha with this watch and i fell very proud with this and this is awesome experience and i love it.
when I was going for 10th exam my father gave me a watch named HMT rajat.I was excited,and scored good mark in the exam and still I remember the day by my heart.
My eldest Brother gifted me HMT sona watch way back in 1976.I was very pleased with it.My memorries are with my first watch.But Titan has taken over the HMT watches,But My heart is still with HMT...
i cudnt own one in college and now i for memory sake decided to buy a machanical watch , my brother also wanted one , so boughttwo, both stopped working in six months time, in fact i threw mine out and my brother gave it to the service centre and they never called him and he forgot about it, pathetic watch company . glad they shut it instead of fooling people like us with their history
Re: poor watch
by Sanjay Dey on Sep 16, 2014 01:06 PM
I won't say poor watch or poor watch company. They are decent watches if serviced regularly. Mechanical, and hence better for the environment. In this era, people have less time, more spending power and there is very little care/attention to spare for a watch or anything else. It's an age of use and throw/replace... no repair. So battery powered watches are thriving.
HMT was always a better watch than Titan. Life span of HMT is still better than Titan or other Indian watches. It lost the battle against Titan as most of the engineers were taken by Titan in 80s. Longetivity succumbs to style and fashion. Politicisation and lack of decisions were the main reasons to kill the iconic brand. We all shall miss HMT
Re: HMT - Good Bye
by Prasad Kulkarni on Sep 16, 2014 08:44 AM
Very true. I still have my HMT Kajal Automatic running bought way back in 1974. Whereas Times watch went kaput in 2 yrs time and the company did not have any spares to repair or replace it. Worst watches TIMEX.
Re: Re: HMT - Good Bye
by on Sep 16, 2014 03:37 PM
Yes HMT watches are the best watches my Father has a HMT Rajat it is still in working condition for the last 25 years. Timex watch are dabba I have 1 Timex which loses it time & the service centre cannot fix it properly
Re: Re: HMT - Good Bye
by Sanjay Dey on Sep 16, 2014 12:59 PM
HMT watches are good but it's wrong to say Timex is worst. I have several low cost and expensive watches and I have not faced any issue with Timex watches. Times offers reasonably priced decent quartz watches, much better than Titan.
Re: Re: Re: HMT - Good Bye
by Durgesh Haritay on Oct 03, 2014 09:24 PM
HMT wacthes are mechanical watches and cannot be compared to TIMEX quartz watches. I have a TIMEX SLX automatic watch which purchased 2 years ago. This watch weighs 3 to 4 times more than my HMT Rajat automatic. Looks wise, TIMEX is better, but performance wise HMT is anytime better because in 38 years, my HMT did not have any problem whereas my TIMEX had a problem in the very first month of purchase. Morever, the date of this TIMEX watch cannot be seen by normal eyes. Needs a magnifier. HMT is HMT and please do not degrade this watch by comparing it with TIMEX.
