My grandfather bought HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools) watch in 1965. HMT is a Government organization and at one time they were synonymous with watches in India. Before the entry of corporate houses like TATA in watch industry with brands like Titan and before the onslaught of foreign watch brands like Swatch, Rado, Pierre Cardin etc, HMT watches ruled the Indian market. And they made watches on whose quality people used to swear upon. My grandfather's 50 year old and hand-winding watch is still functional. It may be outdated in terms of fashion but it does best what it is suppose to do i.e. announce time.
Cut to present. Zoobie gifted a Swatch watch two years ago. I was happy to get it. Why? Because
- Swatch is considered to be an affordable premium brand.
- Watch was beautiful.
- It worked well.
- Onlookers admired it.
I loved my watch...
But as soon its warranty got over, it conked. I thought it to be a battery problem. I went to the shop from where I bought it. They checked it and told me it is not battery problem. It is something else and to find out more on the problem, I have to visit Swatch's service center. Though, I have yet to get it checked in service centre but the person (who checked my watch) sounded as it is all over for my watch. He was almost sure that it is beyond repair though he did not announce that in so many words.
Oh, God! What is this irony. A Sarkari Indian company makes watches which work well over 50 years. A company is run by babus for so long and yet able to deliver a quality product. On the other hand, we have world a class brand which swears by its quality but their watches lose steam in just over two years.
I know mine can be a one-off case and I am yet to get the final verdict from the service center. But the fact is, I am feeling little let down by this WORLD CLASS brand called Swatch. Hence, this post.
I Will miss you...
by SiD , on December 18, 2009 12:39 AM
Rest in peace...oh watch...:)