HMT Kohinoor, the indian unknown watch
In Watchfinder´s latest video (watches under 100$) the HMT Kohinoor was featured.
I have heared previously about HMT, but It´s still an obcure watch manufacturer for me. Apparently, they have developed cult wathes, but they aren´t known in Europe.
The low price and the heritage have appealed to me and I´m thinking of getting one for myself.
I wonder where can I buy it, as I find it difficult to find it in Europe from a safe site. Are there more intersenting watches apart from the Kohinoor? Where can I buy them in Europe?
Can you tell me more about this brand, it´s history...?
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Cosme
Starting a collection. Proud owner of a SKX008, a vintage Citizen and a 1950´s Omega
Valladolid
Member since
Last active: 1 week ago
I can't offer any info on the brand but..
This is my HMT Janata. Bought for 20 € on eBay. It tells the time. No regrets!
I can't offer any info on the brand but..
This is my HMT Janata. Bought for 20 € on eBay. It tells the time. No regrets!
Love It!!! The strap fits perfectly well for that watch and the dial is clean and gorgeous. How are those tipe of numbers called? I´ve seen them on some AP´s and Rolex before.
I fell down the HMT rabbit hole a few weeks ago: Welcome to the Quadruplets https://www.watchcrunch.com/Andrew8126/posts/welcome-to-the-quadruplets-20391).
The watches were about $20USD each on eBay. I liked the Kohinoors because I like dressier stuff, and because I like the name (refers to a famous diamond, as you may know) but there were plenty of other HMT lines that were more adventurous at the same price.
I found the history of the company interesting, especially as it ties in to the history of India.
A brief summary cribbed from Wikipedia:
HMT Limited, founded as Hindustan Machine Tools Limited, is a state-owned Indian company founded in 1953 as a machine tool manufacturing company, diversifying across several manufacturing sectors.
The watch making division, HMT Watches, opened in 1961. During the 1970s and 1980s HMT was the largest supplier of wrist watches in India. The division closed in 2016, largely due to mismanagement leading to heavy losses.
As for the best place you can buy them from where you are, I hope some other WCers will have advice. I was warned that many HMTs are frankenwatches or just junkers. I took the chance and did ok (seller on eBay was “vintagepluswatches”) given the price I paid. I leave to you to decide whether the stakes of the gamble are worth it in this case.
Have fun even if all you do is browse. They are fun to look at even if you don’t buy!
Love It!!! The strap fits perfectly well for that watch and the dial is clean and gorgeous. How are those tipe of numbers called? I´ve seen them on some AP´s and Rolex before.
These are Arabic numbers
https://www.hmtwatches.in
This is a link to the official website of HMT. The company was wound up a few years back, however due to the popularity of their watches, the watch division continues to run selling unused stock. They are also mashing up dials with their movements using whatever stuff they can get their hands on.
I would suggest buying from this source as it is the most authentic.
martynstimpson on ebay often has some.
Ive Bought 2 at this point, both from ebay. A Janata and a Kihnoor, that are good watches for the 20 bucks I payed for them but they are nothing exceptional. I still love them, they have lots of soul and make for a fun mash up in my collection.
I fell down the HMT rabbit hole a few weeks ago: Welcome to the Quadruplets https://www.watchcrunch.com/Andrew8126/posts/welcome-to-the-quadruplets-20391).
The watches were about $20USD each on eBay. I liked the Kohinoors because I like dressier stuff, and because I like the name (refers to a famous diamond, as you may know) but there were plenty of other HMT lines that were more adventurous at the same price.
I found the history of the company interesting, especially as it ties in to the history of India.
A brief summary cribbed from Wikipedia:
HMT Limited, founded as Hindustan Machine Tools Limited, is a state-owned Indian company founded in 1953 as a machine tool manufacturing company, diversifying across several manufacturing sectors.
The watch making division, HMT Watches, opened in 1961. During the 1970s and 1980s HMT was the largest supplier of wrist watches in India. The division closed in 2016, largely due to mismanagement leading to heavy losses.
As for the best place you can buy them from where you are, I hope some other WCers will have advice. I was warned that many HMTs are frankenwatches or just junkers. I took the chance and did ok (seller on eBay was “vintagepluswatches”) given the price I paid. I leave to you to decide whether the stakes of the gamble are worth it in this case.
Have fun even if all you do is browse. They are fun to look at even if you don’t buy!
Wow, I'm amazed for the info. Thank u man. Hope to get one soon, I also like the aesthetic.
https://www.hmtwatches.in
This is a link to the official website of HMT. The company was wound up a few years back, however due to the popularity of their watches, the watch division continues to run selling unused stock. They are also mashing up dials with their movements using whatever stuff they can get their hands on.
I would suggest buying from this source as it is the most authentic.
Thanks