Why India Matters To EPOS: CEO Tamdi Chonge On Heritage, Independendent Watchmaking And The Future

For EPOS CEO Tamdi Chonge, India is more than just an emerging market, it feels like a second home “I’m a Tibetan, and I went to school in Mussoorie in Northern India. I recently visited Shillong and Dharamshala, so for me, it was like returning to my second home.”

That sense of belonging is what makes EPOS’s participation at India Watch Weekend especially meaningful. “We’re very excited to start tackling the Indian market. Economically, India has incredible potential. Many companies shifting from China are moving to India, and I believe it’s the future market. For us, this is an opportunity to meet collectors and build relationships.”

His enthusiasm for India mirrors EPOS’s own journey. A brand that has always found strength in conviction and continuity. Founded during the height of the quartz crisis, when mechanical watchmaking was nearly written off as obsolete, EPOS chose to follow a different path. “Historically, EPOS was always doing mechanical watches. When the quartz crisis came, everybody switched over to quartz except Rolex, Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre and Audemars Piguet. But our founder, Mr. Peter Hofer, realized there was still a need for mechanical watches.”

At a time when even ETA, the largest movement manufacturer, was discarding mechanical components, Hofer stepped in. “He told them, ‘Please don’t throw it away. I will buy it,’” says Tamdi. “He got all the parts very cheap and started building mechanical watches.”

But Hofer knew passion wasn’t enough, innovation was key. He collaborated with master watchmaker Jean Fillon from Vallée de Joux, who had previously worked on movements for Lemania and Venus. Together, they developed special complications such as jumping hours, regulators, and moonphases mechanical artistry that set EPOS apart from mainstream brands.

That creative spirit continues to define the brand’s philosophy. “We are one of the only small, family-owned companies that do not buy our modified movements,” says Tamdi proudly. “We have our own chief technical watch manager who constructs and modifies movements in-house. The ideas come from within the team we go to the market, see what’s happening, and brainstorm new complications. Everything is still done manually, from sketching to prototyping. It takes almost two years to bring a product to life.”

Among their most distinctive creations is the Verso, a watch that turns the movement display on its head. “We always had beautifully decorated movements, but you never see them because they’re on the back. So we decided to turn the movement upside down. Now the back is the front. When you wear the watch, people can admire the beauty of the mechanical movement.”

It’s this combination of originality and accessibility that has earned EPOS a loyal following among collectors. “Our customers love that we do something special but still offer it at a reasonable price,” says Tamdi. When asked to describe the brand in three words, he doesn’t hesitate: “Artistry. Traditional. Swiss.”

Tamdi’s journey with EPOS began in 2002, when he and his wife took over the brand from its previous owners. “They had no successors and were mainly doing private-label work,” he explains. “When we took over, we had successors our son and daughter so we decided to focus entirely on building the EPOS brand. Today, we produce only EPOS watches.”

As he prepares to return to India for India Watch Weekend 2026 for the first time as CEO, Tamdi is optimistic about what lies ahead. “This will be our first participation in India, and we’re looking forward to meeting people who truly love watches. We hope to meet collectors and independent retailers, build relationships, and see how EPOS can grow here. The Indian food is an added bonus!”