When Haute Couture Met Haute Horlogerie At India Watch Weekend Collector’s Edit
4 min read
Day Two of India Watch Weekend Collectors Edit at Jio World Plaza unfolded like a celebration of style, craftsmanship and good old horological curiosity. The mood felt lighter, brighter and a little mischievous from the very beginning, almost as if haute couture had decided to hold hands with haute horlogerie for the afternoon.
The day kicked off with Panerai’s watchmaking sessions, easily one of the most visited corners of the event. Watchmakers guided guests through the intricate world behind the bezel, showing them the tiny gears, polished components and careful gestures that bring a mechanical watch to life. There was something almost meditative about seeing people lean over the workbench with watchmaking tools in hand. Bollywood star Jim Sarbh joined the session too and instantly became the unofficial spokesperson for curiosity. He asked questions, peered into movements and added a spark of cinematic charm to the room. Guests loved watching him discover the fine details that make Panerai’s design language so distinctive, and his enthusiasm made the session feel even more dynamic and approachable.
The in store activations by watch brands added another layer of excitement to the experience. Panerai had its own affogato cart that quickly became the most delicious pit stop of the day, especially when paired with a lively quiz on Panerai’s history that brought out everyone’s competitive side. Guests who made new purchases at the Hermes boutique spent time at the strap customization counter, choosing colours and textures that made their watch feel even more personal. Over at IWC the F1 simulators were buzzing with energy as people lined up to feel the rush of racing. Laughter, cheers and the occasional mock victory celebration filled the space, turning the activations into a lively playground where adrenaline and horology blended naturally.
From technical mastery the event pivoted into full fashion fantasy. JJ Valaya and Jaeger-LeCoultre took over with a styling session that sparkled with personality. The theme was festive glamour and how the Reverso can become the finishing touch to your Indian ensemble. Velvet sherwanis, corset sarees and contemporary wedding looks were placed under the spotlight alongside rows of Reversos in various metals and straps. Brides and grooms received personalised styling tips on pairing their outfit tones with the right Reverso style. It felt like watching couture and watchmaking exchange a knowing smile. Stylist Priyanka Castelino kept the energy warm, witty and welcoming, helping people understand how a watch can highlight embroidery, complement colour palettes or even reflect one’s mood.
"For a man, a watch is one of the most eye catching accessories he can wear. A good tip is to pull colours from your outfit to match either the strap or dial of your watch. For the women, if you are wearing a heavily embellished lehenga then you can do a lovely ring stack with a watch on one hand and a finely detailed hathphool on the other. I like to call it minimalistically maximal," she shared. The session flowed like fashion theatre with a horological twist.
Aispi brought another layer of creativity with its Golden Hour pop up, which felt like walking into a curated treasure chest. Blinged out bags, trendy apparel and lifestyle pieces were displayed with the same thoughtful approach collectors use when choosing their next timepiece. The pop up moved into a lively panel which included watch collectors Mohit Chuganee, Ashin Kothari joined by RedBar collectors and Aisha Saraf Kothari, founder and CEO, Aispi who shared insights from their own collecting journeys. The conversation became a gentle reminder that every collection truly begins with intention and passion. Guests heard stories about personal favourites, first watches, surprise purchases and that magical moment when something just clicks with you. It was equal parts thoughtful and entertaining.
One audience member shared his personal story of looking for a GMT with two India cities- Mumbai and Kolkatta. "I wanted these two cities on a GMT dial as I am from Mumbai and my wife is from Kolkatta. It took my a long time but I finally found a Tissot that had both these cities on the dial. I was ecstatic when I could add this to my collection.", he shared. What was even more surprising was when another audience member shared that he too was looking for a GMT which had the same cities on the dial but vice versa. He was from Kolkatta and his wife was from Mumbai. A delightful coincidence if you ask us!
By early evening the event gracefully slipped into a more relaxed tempo as Cartier hosted a cocktail that tied the entire day together. Collectors, brand representatives and enthusiasts filled the space with stories, laughter and one too many cocktails. Food circulated, conversations overlapped and everyone seemed to be enjoying that familiar blend of camaraderie and quiet admiration that only a watch gathering can create. The atmosphere felt warm and indulgent, almost like a final toast to a day filled with styling, discovery and genuine community spirit.
Day Two reminded everyone that India Watch Weekend Collector’s Edit is not just a polished event on the calendar. It is a celebration of curiosity, style, craftsmanship and the joy of finding people who love watches as much as you do. It is where haute couture meets haute horlogerie, where creativity flows easily and where a simple afternoon can turn into one long golden hour. If the prelude for India Watch Weekend 2026 is so interesting then we can only anticipate what the upcoming event will be like.
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