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All the watch news, reviews, videos you want, brought to you from fellow collectors
All the watch news, reviews, videos you want, brought to you from fellow collectors
You get one unforgettable evening filled with stories, snapshots, and tick-tocking masterpieces — all unfolding in the heart of Bangalore. On 30th May 2025, a rainy Friday evening that threatened to dampen spirits and ruin suede straps, the city’s finest watch collectors braved the traffic to gather at the cozy, hop-scented haven that is Arbor Brewing Company on MG Road.
For most, it was the start of a regular weekend. For us watch lovers, it was a chance to catch up with fellow Chronoholics, pass around pieces of art that happen to tell time, and geek out like only true enthusiasts can.
A Corner of Horology
The group had its own special corner at Arbor - one that very quickly turned into a museum-meets-marketplace-meets-meticulous-inspection-zone.
No exaggeration - there were more watches on the table than beers in hand. We’re talking everything from budget-friendly mechanical marvels to haute horology icons, laid out across wooden tables like sacred offerings. It was as if Baselworld had crash-landed in a Bangalore pub.
With soft brewery lighting casting warm glows on sapphire crystals and brushed lugs, collectors leaned in with reverence. Loupes weren’t used, but the intensity of the gazes made you think otherwise. Conversations buzzed with reference numbers, movement specs, and strap swaps. Newcomers mingled with seasoned collectors, while wrists were offered up more than handshakes.
The Doctor Is In… And He Brought a Quiz!
As if the evening wasn’t lively enough, Dr. Karan Madan (@TheKaranMadan) upped the ante with his engaging watch quiz that was as fun as it was humbling. Double-wristed as always — flexing a Titan Stellar Rakesh Sharma Limited Edition on one and the classic Zenith Chronomaster El Primero on the other — he guided us through questions about brand histories, obscure model trivia, and the occasional curveball.
Titan Stellar Unity Rakesh Sharma Limited Edition
Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 42
Now, I’d love to say I crushed it. But the reality? Zero points. Zilch. My horological ego took a beating, and I’ve since added “study watch history” to my to-do list, right below “don’t impulse buy another diver.”
My Contributions to the Time Table
Of course, I brought along a few of my own pieces to share and discuss — each one representing a small chapter of my collecting journey:
Tudor Black Bay Heritage 41 – Rugged yet refined.
Omega Seamaster Professional 300 “Seaweed Green” – My go-to for feeling like Bond in Bengaluru.
Cartier Santos Large, White Dial – Understated elegance meets everyday wearability.
Orient Kamasu (Red Dial) – A punchy piece that never fails to catch the eye.
And mine were just a few among a smorgasbord of timekeeping treasures that spanned continents and categories — from Swiss stunners to Japanese legends, German tool watches to Indian icons. There were Rolexes and HMTs, Cartiers and Citizens, IWC pilots and Seiko divers, all coexisting in horological harmony.
Timepieces That Stole the Show
1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak QEII Cup Platinum (2017)
Yes, the mythical beast was on the table. The 41mm Royal Oak, a limited edition crafted in platinum, was breathtaking. Even in the brewery’s dim light, its silver waffle dial shimmered with the kind of allure that makes camera autofocus weep. It was heavy on the wrist and heavy on the admiration. A collector’s grail, no doubt.
2. Vacheron Constantin Royal Eagle Chronograph
From the most reserved member of the horological holy trinity came a piece that quietly commanded attention. The Royal Eagle, nestled in a tonneau-shaped case and strapped to a supple brown croc leather band, radiated vintage charm. The white dial glowed like a jazz club in the ‘60s—subtle, smooth, and endlessly stylish.
3. Omega SMP300 James Bond Editions
Bond made more than one appearance at the party. I had the pleasure of trying:
The Titanium No Time To Die SMP300, co-designed by Daniel Craig — stealthy, lightweight, and dripping with military chic.
The 60th Anniversary Edition, with its blue bezel and dial, and that mesmerizing Moire-effect caseback featuring the legendary gun-barrel sequence.
Who knew your wrist could be a movie screen?
Both pieces made me question my current SMP loyalty (though my seaweed green still holds a special place in my heart).
4. The Monaco Takeover
A member casually requested to see a Tag Heuer Monaco, and suddenly the table looked like Steve McQueen’s personal stash. Six to eight Monacos, ranging from the classic Calibre 11 to Heuer 02s, and even a few Gulf limited editions, made an appearance. If you’ve ever wanted to relive “Le Mans” through wristwear, that was the time and place.
5. Studio Underdog: The Wild Card That Won the Night
The underdog went full alpha. Every Studio Underdog variant was represented—from 01, 02 to the 03 series, including:
Member Ram Rajanahlly’s Collection
Together, they looked like the dessert menu at a Michelin-starred diner—quirky, colorful, and totally collectible.
Final Thoughts: A Toast to the Tickers
Chronoholic meetups aren’t just about watches. They’re about people, passion, and the shared joy of a hobby that combines history, engineering, and a dash of obsession. Whether it’s a vintage HMT or a grail-worthy Royal Oak, each piece tells a story. Every wrist that evening added a new chapter.
We laughed, we learned (some of us learned we need to study), and we left with full hearts and fuller photo galleries. So here’s to the next GTG - where there’ll be new watches, new stories, and hopefully, better quiz scores for some of us.
Until then, may your movements stay regulated, your straps supple, and your collection ever-growing.
You get one unforgettable evening filled with stories, snapshots, and tick-tocking masterpieces — all unfolding in the heart of Bangalore. On 30th May 2025, a rainy Friday evening that threatened to dampen spirits and ruin suede straps, the city’s finest watch collectors braved the traffic to gather at the cozy, hop-scented haven that is Arbor Brewing Company on MG Road.
For most, it was the start of a regular weekend. For us watch lovers, it was a chance to catch up with fellow Chronoholics, pass around pieces of art that happen to tell time, and geek out like only true enthusiasts can.
A Corner of Horology
The group had its own special corner at Arbor - one that very quickly turned into a museum-meets-marketplace-meets-meticulous-inspection-zone.
No exaggeration - there were more watches on the table than beers in hand. We’re talking everything from budget-friendly mechanical marvels to haute horology icons, laid out across wooden tables like sacred offerings. It was as if Baselworld had crash-landed in a Bangalore pub.
With soft brewery lighting casting warm glows on sapphire crystals and brushed lugs, collectors leaned in with reverence. Loupes weren’t used, but the intensity of the gazes made you think otherwise. Conversations buzzed with reference numbers, movement specs, and strap swaps. Newcomers mingled with seasoned collectors, while wrists were offered up more than handshakes.
The Doctor Is In… And He Brought a Quiz!
As if the evening wasn’t lively enough, Dr. Karan Madan (@TheKaranMadan) upped the ante with his engaging watch quiz that was as fun as it was humbling. Double-wristed as always — flexing a Titan Stellar Rakesh Sharma Limited Edition on one and the classic Zenith Chronomaster El Primero on the other — he guided us through questions about brand histories, obscure model trivia, and the occasional curveball.
Titan Stellar Unity Rakesh Sharma Limited Edition
Zenith El Primero Chronomaster 42
Now, I’d love to say I crushed it. But the reality? Zero points. Zilch. My horological ego took a beating, and I’ve since added “study watch history” to my to-do list, right below “don’t impulse buy another diver.”
My Contributions to the Time Table
Of course, I brought along a few of my own pieces to share and discuss — each one representing a small chapter of my collecting journey:
Tudor Black Bay Heritage 41 – Rugged yet refined.
Omega Seamaster Professional 300 “Seaweed Green” – My go-to for feeling like Bond in Bengaluru.
Cartier Santos Large, White Dial – Understated elegance meets everyday wearability.
Orient Kamasu (Red Dial) – A punchy piece that never fails to catch the eye.
And mine were just a few among a smorgasbord of timekeeping treasures that spanned continents and categories — from Swiss stunners to Japanese legends, German tool watches to Indian icons. There were Rolexes and HMTs, Cartiers and Citizens, IWC pilots and Seiko divers, all coexisting in horological harmony.
Timepieces That Stole the Show
1. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak QEII Cup Platinum (2017)
Yes, the mythical beast was on the table. The 41mm Royal Oak, a limited edition crafted in platinum, was breathtaking. Even in the brewery’s dim light, its silver waffle dial shimmered with the kind of allure that makes camera autofocus weep. It was heavy on the wrist and heavy on the admiration. A collector’s grail, no doubt.
2. Vacheron Constantin Royal Eagle Chronograph
From the most reserved member of the horological holy trinity came a piece that quietly commanded attention. The Royal Eagle, nestled in a tonneau-shaped case and strapped to a supple brown croc leather band, radiated vintage charm. The white dial glowed like a jazz club in the ‘60s—subtle, smooth, and endlessly stylish.
3. Omega SMP300 James Bond Editions
Bond made more than one appearance at the party. I had the pleasure of trying:
The Titanium No Time To Die SMP300, co-designed by Daniel Craig — stealthy, lightweight, and dripping with military chic.
The 60th Anniversary Edition, with its blue bezel and dial, and that mesmerizing Moire-effect caseback featuring the legendary gun-barrel sequence.
Who knew your wrist could be a movie screen?
Both pieces made me question my current SMP loyalty (though my seaweed green still holds a special place in my heart).
4. The Monaco Takeover
A member casually requested to see a Tag Heuer Monaco, and suddenly the table looked like Steve McQueen’s personal stash. Six to eight Monacos, ranging from the classic Calibre 11 to Heuer 02s, and even a few Gulf limited editions, made an appearance. If you’ve ever wanted to relive “Le Mans” through wristwear, that was the time and place.
5. Studio Underdog: The Wild Card That Won the Night
The underdog went full alpha. Every Studio Underdog variant was represented—from 01, 02 to the 03 series, including:
Member Ram Rajanahlly’s Collection
Together, they looked like the dessert menu at a Michelin-starred diner—quirky, colorful, and totally collectible.
Final Thoughts: A Toast to the Tickers
Chronoholic meetups aren’t just about watches. They’re about people, passion, and the shared joy of a hobby that combines history, engineering, and a dash of obsession. Whether it’s a vintage HMT or a grail-worthy Royal Oak, each piece tells a story. Every wrist that evening added a new chapter.
We laughed, we learned (some of us learned we need to study), and we left with full hearts and fuller photo galleries. So here’s to the next GTG - where there’ll be new watches, new stories, and hopefully, better quiz scores for some of us.
Until then, may your movements stay regulated, your straps supple, and your collection ever-growing.
