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Buying guide: Top 10 HMT watches to find in 2023

Last Published on May 20, 2023 16:45 IST

Summary:

HMT watches are known for durability and accuracy. Read this article to learn about the top-quality HMT watches you can buy in 2023.


Since 1961, HMT, a public sector enterprise run by the Indian government, has led the country's watch manufacturing industry. To maintain accurate timekeeping and trouble-free performance that lasts a lifetime, HMT uses High Quality, Precision Metallic components.

Each type of mechanical watch—hand-wound, automatic, quarts, the Braille, the Skeleton Watch, and pocket watches—is an absolute masterwork in its field. HMT Watches are available in a variety of enticing styles and at competitive prices.

Watches that beautifully combine beauty and substance, shape and function. HMT India was the first company to introduce watchmaking in India. HMT Watches' Indian Pride is still produced in the company's first factory, which opened in Bangalore in the late 1940s.

The 17-jewel mechanical movement, which is renowned for its accuracy, continues to be the beating heart of the watches that Indians adore the most.

Top HMT Watches to try out this Year

The following is our list of the best HMT watches for you, in terms of looks and performance:

1. HMT Kapila

Designed in 1961, the HMT Kapila is part of a premium collection with 17 Jewels Mechanism and is an exquisite-looking watch. This timepiece is a rare find and is driven by mechanical movement. This watch can last up to 48 hours on a single winding. This HMT watch will be a great gift to a special lady in your life.

  • Band Material: Genuine Leather
  • Band Colour: Black
  • Dial Colour: Golden
  • Design: Classic
  • Number of Jewels: 21 Jewels
  • Wearability: Everyday, Formal

Pros

Cons

Rare Classic Collectible

Quality can be improved

Beautiful Appearance

 

2. HMT Sona

HMT Sona with 17 para shock jewels and a rare golden dial is another exquisite-looking watch that brings out the charm of old and hard-working India. Its golden stainless-steel belt gives a luxurious and opulent appearance. Its movement is mechanical and requires hand-woven motion. Both formal and traditional clothes complement the HMT Sona classic analog timepiece.

  • Band Material: Stainless Steel
  • Band Colour: Golden
  • Dial Colour: Rare Golden
  • Design: Classic
  • Number of Jewels: 17 Jewels
  • Wearability: Everyday, Formal

Pros

Cons

Rare Golden Dial

The mechanical movement of the watch can be improved

17 jewels

 

3. HMT Kohinoor

HMT Kohinoor is a classic timepiece that is a must-add to your watch collection. Amazing formal wear because of its chic, sharp, and simple look, its 17 jeweled para shock protection will ensure that it lasts long and is durable.

The watch's sunburst dial, its simple leather strap, everything about this HMT watch is perfection. It also comes in other colours. This watch has all the features you need for both style and durability.

  • Band Material: Genuine Leather Band
  • Band Colour: Black
  • Dial Colour: Off White
  • Design: Classic
  • Number of Jewels: 17 Jewels
  • Wearability: Everyday, Work

Pros

Cons

Lightweight

Watch’s look can be dull for some people. 

Radium Hands

 

4. HMT Janata

HMT Janata is among the most popular HMT collections. This vintage watch is very light and wears well. People with diverse wrist sizes can easily wear it because of its classic dimensions.

What is most unique about this watch is that Devanagari, the script for Hindi, is used to hand-paint the dial's numerals and text. It is truly a remarkable piece.

Driven by the HMT 0231 manual wind mechanical movement, the watch has a respectable power reserve of 40 hours and beats at a moderate 18,000 beats per hour. Time has proven Janata to be one of the best HMT watches.

  • Band Material: Genuine Leather Band
  • Band Colour: Black
  • Dial Colour: White
  • Design: Classic
  • Number of Jewels: 17 Jewels
  • Wearability: Everyday

Pros

Cons

Rare Classic CollectibleMurals are in Devnagri

Night Glow Radium Hands

 

5. HMT Pilot

HMT Pilot is among the most popular HMT wristwatch collections. With 17 para shock jewels, this vintage HMT Pilot wristwatch comes in a bright sunny yellow dial which compliments its dark brown leather strap perfectly.

This watch is powered mechanically by turning the key in an upward, clockwise motion. The hands in the watch have radium for the user to know time when there is no light. It is a perfect gift for a gentleman.

  • Band Material: Genuine Leather Band
  • Band Colour: Brown
  • Dial Colour: Sun yellow
  • Design: Classic
  • Number of Jewels: 21 Jewels
  • Wearability: Casual, Formal and Fashion Luxury Party Wear

Pros

Cons

Rare Collectible

Mechanical movement of the watch can be improved

Sturdy and light weight

 

6. HMT Quartz Rectangular Classic

HMT Men's mechanical watch will special gift package for giving to your loved ones. The stainless-steel rectangular dial's ultra-thin and simplistic design won't exert much force on the wrist.

The watch has a trendy design and may be worn with any clothing for parties, everyday activities, outdoor activities, and diverse settings. Its classic design is perfect for casual everyday use and resilient enough to survive a quick submersion in water. These HMT Quartz watches for men are the perfect gift.

  • Band Material: Stainless steel
  • Band Colour: Silver
  • Dial Colour: Black
  • Design: Classic
  • Wearability: Casual, Formal and Fashion Luxury Party Wear

Pros

Cons

Unique rectangular dial

 

Sleek and Lightweight

 

7. HMT Quartz Classic Coffee

Men's formal analogue quartz, stainless steel chain strap watch in coffee colour fits perfectly with any setting, whether formal or informal. Wear this watch while on the go for daily use, work, leisure, indoor and outdoor activities, etc. This timepiece will make a great present for the men in your life.

In addition to being transparent and bright, the mineral-reinforced glass surface mirror is also wear- and scratch-resistant. strap made of stainless steel, which is hard to oxidise and fade. The service life is longer, and the quality is comforting.

  • Band Material: Stainless steel
  • Band Colour: Coffee
  • Dial Colour: Coffee
  • Design: Classic
  • Wearability: Casual, Formal and Fashion Luxury Party Wear

Pros

Cons

Unique Designer look

Features can be added

1 year warranty

 

8. HMT Quartz Classic Green Dial Silver

HMT Classic chain strap analogue quartz stainless steel watch for men with a beautiful green dial is perfect for every day. Its multi-functional dial (shows date and time both) in green colour adds a pop of uniqueness to this time piece and its wearer. Wear this watch while on the go for daily use, work, leisure, indoor and outdoor activities, etc. It is a great present for many people, including fathers, husbands, sons, brothers and friends.

In addition to being transparent and bright, the mineral-reinforced glass surface mirror is also wear- and scratch-resistant. strap made of stainless steel, which is hard to oxidise and fade. The service life of these HMT Quartz watches for men is longer, and the quality is comforting.

  • Band Material: Stainless steel
  • Band Colour: Silver
  • Dial Colour: Green
  • Design: Classic
  • Wearability: Casual, Formal and Luxury Party Wear

Pros

Cons

Beautiful green dial

Green colour can be annoying to some

Light weight

 

9. HMT Swarana

HMT Swarana Analog Watch for men aims to be the ideal fusion of style and utility. Wear this HMT watch to stay stylish. It has a 30-millimeter-diameter rectangular gold dial. The watch's stainless-steel straps come in a gold colour. The warranty for this watch is one year.

Simple to wear, they are used for a casual or formal occasion while adding appeal to the festivities and holiday spirit on any occasion.

  • Band Material: Stainless steel
  • Band Colour: Gold
  • Dial Colour: Gold
  • Design: Classic
  • Wearability: Casual, Formal and Party Wear

Pros

Cons

Unique golden band

Some people may not like rectangle design

Sturdy

 

10. HMT Swarna Bracelet

Women's Swarna Watch chain is the perfect and most elegant gift for your daughter, girlfriend and mother. Its uniquely crafted, sharp gold stainless steel bracelet is comfortable. Recommended for clients looking for timepieces with small dials and low HMT quartz watch price. This is an ideal as a gift for a birthday, anniversary, or wedding.

  • Band Material: Stainless steel
  • Band Colour: Gold
  • Dial Colour: white
  • Design: Classic
  • Wearability: Everyday

Pros

Cons

Sleek golden time piece

Some people can find it dull

Sturdy

 

Top three features for you

ProductFeature 1Feature 2Feature 3

HMT Kapila

1 month

30 Meters

Mechanical

HMT Sona

1 Year

30 Meters

Mechanical

HMT Kohinoor 

1 year

30 Meters

Mechanical

HMT Janata

1 month

30 Meters

Mechanical

HMT Pilot

1 month

50 Meters

Mechanical

HMT Quartz Rectangular Classic 

1 year

30 Meters

Quartz

HMT Quartz Classic Coffee 

1 year

30 Meters

Quartz

HMT Quartz Classic Silver

1 Year

30 Meters

Quartz

HMT Quartz Classic Green Dial Silver

1 Year

30 Meters

Quartz

HMT Swarna 

1 Year

30 Meters

Quartz

HMT Swarna Bracelet

1 Year

30 Meters

Quartz

Best product overall

The Pilot, just like Jawan, Sainik, and Rakshak are all synonymous. Despite not being specifically designed for military use, these watches were provided to the Indian Army, Air Force, and Navy, which were HMT's top clients.

The crystal is domed acrylic, in line with the old style. This is a distinctive and uncommon wristwatch with an easy-to-manage 18mm width that would go great with a leather strap. The hand winding movement contributes to the watch's lightness and thinness. The smooth winding indicates when it is entirely wound. At 18,000 BPH, the movement is mainly a 1960s creation. For the balancing wheel, it has a Citizen designed Para shock absorber. A 38–40-hour power reserve is available.

PilotHMT wrist watch is a favourite among watch collectors.

Best value for money

For good reason, the Janata is HMT's most famous, iconic, and endearing watch. It's significant that it starts with the name. In Hindi, "Janata" is the word for "public," hence the Janata watch was created as a tribute to the Indian people.

Now, you can easily find theseHMT watches online.

The Janata is a very simple watch at its core. As soon as you fasten it to your wrist, it completely vanishes. It is driven by a manual winding, 17 jewel movement and features a slim 35mm case that is approximately 11mm thick (including the domed crystal). Overall, it results in a beautifully understated timepiece.

FAQs on HMT watches

Watchmakers had to find a material that was harder than metal in order to reduce metal-on-metal wear and tear, which led to the introduction of jewels into watch mechanisms. Diamonds, sapphires, and rubies are the gems that are most durable. 

The HMT White Pilot Limited Edition, is one of the rarest HMTs ever made as only 500 watches were made.

HMT Janata was the most widely worn mechanical timepiece. HMT Pilot, HMT Jhalak (Semi Skeletal), HMT Sona, and HMT Braille were other popular mechanical HMT Watches.

In a 1972, HMT commercial, the Janata (bottom right) is listed as costing Rs. 112.

The numerals on the dials of HMT Watches are written in many languages. The most widely used scripts found on HMT watches online are Latin (English), Devanagari (Hindi), Chethan (Kanadda), and Arabic (Urdu).

Disclaimer: At Hindustan Times, we help you stay up-to-date with the latest trends and products. Hindustan Times has an affiliate partnership, so ... we may get a part of the revenue when you make a purchase. We shall not be liable for any claim under applicable laws, including but not limited to the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, with respect to the products. The products listed in this article are in no particular order of priority. Read more

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