India's largest watchmaker, Titan Company Limited—founded in 1984 as part of the Tata Group as India's premier watchmaker—marks a pivotal moment in horological history as it debuts at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève 2025. The company's entry, JALSA by Nebula—the luxury watchmaking arm of Titan—represents an extraordinary fusion of Indian artistic heritage and sophisticated mechanical watchmaking through a flying tourbillon timepiece.
This groundbreaking creation establishes a new benchmark for Indian horology, demonstrating the country's emergence as what could become a serious contender in the luxury watchmaking arena.
"JALSA is far more than a watch – it is proof that India can speak the language of high watchmaking with fluency and conviction. From its architecture to its artistic treatment, this is a watch fully designed and mastered in-house. From the start, our intention was to give Indian culture mechanical form. And what better medium than a tourbillon – that most poetic of complications – to express it? Collaborating with Shakir Ali allowed us to anchor JALSA in both memory and mastery." —Mahendra Chauhan, Head of Design- Product & UX- Watches, Wearables and Accessories
A Cultural Statement Cast in Rose Gold
JALSA transcends traditional timepiece boundaries, embodying Titan's evolution from volume manufacturer to haute horlogerie craftsman. Crafted by Nebula, the 10-piece limited edition in 18K rose gold masterpiece—the press release didn’t include any specifications in terms of case size and other technical specs—seamlessly integrates centuries-old Indian artistic traditions with contemporary mechanical complexity, positioning Indian watchmaking alongside established global players.
As one of the world's largest watch producers, Titan manufactures over 15 million timepieces annually, surpassing the entire Swiss industry's output. Now, through its luxury Nebula brand, the company ventures into rarefied territory previously dominated by European manufactures.
This ambitious three-year project challenged Titan's artisans to create an international-calibre mechanical tourbillon entirely in-house while celebrating India's rich cultural tapestry. The result stands as both a technical achievement and an artistic triumph.
Miniature Masterpiece: Where Art Meets Mechanics
Each JALSA dial features an original miniature painting created by Padma Shri recipient Shakir Ali, among India's most celebrated artists in this ancient medium. Using traditional single-hair brushes and natural pigments crafted from gemstones according to secret historical formulas, Ali depicts a royal procession before Jaipur's legendary Hawa Mahal.
The Palace of Winds, celebrating its 225th anniversary in 2025, provides the perfect backdrop for this horological homage. Each dial, painted on polished white marble, transforms the timepiece into a wearable museum piece of singular artistic value.
Under Mahendra Chauhan's design leadership, JALSA's case construction employs a distinctive three-layer architecture. The 18K rose gold structure incorporates a central band of luminous red agate—a gemstone traditionally associated with protection and power in Indian culture. This material choice extends to the movement bridges, visible through the exhibition caseback, creating visual continuity between exterior and interior elements.
Poetic Complications: The Magnifying Lens
JALSA's most enchanting feature reimagines the traditional date magnifier as a storytelling device. Mounted on the minute hand, a sapphire crystal lens creates a rotating window across the miniature painting, revealing intricate details of the royal procession as time progresses. During specific moments each hour, this magnifier passes over the tourbillon itself, creating a mesmerizing interplay between artistic beauty and mechanical precision.
Indian Engineering Excellence
The beating heart of JALSA showcases Titan's technical capabilities through an entirely domestically conceived flying tourbillon movement. Developed in collaboration with Swiss consultants to ensure global haute horlogerie standards, the 144-component caliber featuring 14 jewels operates at 3 Hz (21,600 vph) with a substantial 48-hour power reserve.
JALSA represents more than Titan's GPHG debut—it signals India's arrival as a formidable presence in luxury watchmaking. By successfully bridging traditional artistry with mechanical sophistication, this remarkable timepiece establishes new possibilities for Indian horology while honoring the nation's extraordinary cultural legacy.
"With JALSA, we mark a decisive step in Titan's ambition to build a premium segment within our watchmaking portfolio. This piece is a reflection of our vision – to bring India's deep cultural heritage into conversation with the standards of haute horlogerie." —Kalpana Rangamani, Chief Marketing & Sales Officer, Titan Company Ltd – Luxury Watches
Sticker Price €45,000—approx USD 52,200.
