THE TIMEKEEPER OF JAIPUR

One man's interest in horology is changing the way watches are perceived today. Ashwini Arun Kumar speaks with watchmaker GAURAV MEHTA on his recently-launched timepieces for women, and the future of his homegrown watch brand

- Ashwini Arun Kumar

At age 12, while most kids were playing with their peers or indulging in activities suitable for young children, Gaurav Mehta was dismantling watches to understand the various mechanisms that made them tick - literally. Today, he is much older, and the founder of the Jaipur Watch Company, a brand he started in 2013 - he designs and retails off-kilter timepieces, most famously ones with dials featuring old coins and stamps from across the globe. The childlike curiosity has not left him though. “My first wristwatch was a gift from my father, which ignited my passion for timepieces,” shares Gaurav, when we meet him in his home city. He's sporting a watch on each wrist - he's clearly passionate about what he has dedicated time to building. So much so that, when he thought of starting the business, he sold his car and turned to trusted friends to raise sufficient capital. “I started Jaipur Watch Company after realising there was a niche for bespoke luxury watches in India,” he reveals. While international brands dominated the space, he saw an opportunity to “combine traditional craftsmanship with contemporary design.”