Archive · 1 Oct 2026
India’s Watch Culture Grows as Mumbai Hosts Global Exhibition
A major watch exhibition came to Mumbai with 84 special watches.
The exhibition is connected to the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, an important watch competition.
Yashovardhan Saboo, who runs Ethos and has worked in watchmaking for decades, said more Indians are becoming interested in watches.
People in India now buy watches at many different prices, not only the most expensive ones.
He said young Indians are more confident and enjoy products from around the world.
Saboo believes India can make important watches of its own.
However, he thinks this will take serious investment and may take about 15 years.
He said an Indian-made watch winning the competition would be a major achievement.
The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève’s 2026 exhibition displayed 84 nominated watches in Mumbai from September 28 to October 1.
Ethos founder Yashovardhan Saboo said India’s watch culture now spans price points from affordable watches to luxury timepieces.
Saboo linked the market’s growth to rising wealth, changing consumer attitudes and greater global confidence among young Indians.
He said building a serious Indian watchmaking ecosystem will require investment, manufacturing expertise and long-term commitment, likely over 15 years rather than five.
Saboo identified a genuine Indian watch winning a Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève award as a major future milestone.
- Who
- Yashovardhan Saboo, founder of Ethos and KDDL, discussed India’s watch industry and the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève exhibition.
- What
- The 2026 travelling watch exhibition brought 84 nominated timepieces to Mumbai and highlighted India’s expanding role in global watchmaking.
- When
- The exhibition was held from September 28 to October 1, 2026; Saboo’s interview took place during the exhibition week.
- Where
- Mumbai, India.
- Why
- The exhibition was hosted to showcase nominated watches while reflecting India’s growing watch culture and interest in developing domestic watchmaking.
- Exhibition
- Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2026 travelling exhibition
- Location
- Mumbai, India
- Dates
- September 28 to October 1, 2026
- Timepieces displayed
- 84 nominated watches
- Host
- Ethos, described as India’s largest luxury watch retailer
- Ethos footprint
- More than 100 stores across India
- Manufacturing background
- Saboo entered the watch business with KDDL in 1983