HMT Janata - An Indian Icon
Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT)
After independence, the Indian Government was looking at self-sufficiency in wristwatches and they clamped down on Swiss imports. Instead, a deal was brokered with Citizen to bring their technology to India, and local watch production commenced in 1961 under Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT).
But in the 1970s-80s the quartz crisis hit HMT hard, and they made efforts with design and marketing in the 90s, focusing on quartz watches, but to little effect. Gradually, their financial situation worsened and the downfall continued into the 2000s. In 2014 the Government announced that HMT Watches would be shut down and in 2016 this order was finalised.
The Janata
“Janata” in Hindi means the public; and making a watch dedicated to the people of India is how the Janata got its name. It is believed HMT made around 150 million watches (that is a lot!) and it is highly likely that the single largest model sold was the Janata.
( @horologytrinkets - what do you reckon of my "once upon a hand shot" attempt? I had a look at Watch Studies after your recommendation👍 many thanks! )
The Janata is an extremely simple watch. It has a svelte 35mm case, is about 11mm thick (including a domed crystal) and is powered by a manually winding, 17 jewel movement. The movement is where the key technology transfer from Citizen happened. Citizen’s 0201 calibre was adapted to become HMT’s 0231 hand-winding movement and it used the Japanese watchmaker’s ‘Parashock’ shock protection system. This is why hand-winding HMT watches have “Parashock 17 Jewels” mentioned on the dial.
For all the talk of in-house movements, HMT did truly make these movements in-house. Right down to the mainspring and hairspring – parts that are usually outsourced by even those brands that claim to be fully in-house.
Frankenwatches!
Yes, there a lot of frankenwatch HMTs. And my one could well be a frankenwatch (I haven't the inclination to find out). But do you know what? I don't mind at all. I paid £10GBP for this watch so that I could have small piece (or many cobbled together pieces!) of the HMT history in my collection. And undoubtedly the skilled people putting these watches together with spare HMT parts are most likely the same people that worked in those HMT factories that closed in 2016 - so fair play to them and their craft.
The photographs are mine; all part of my attempt to learn a new skill and allow me to enjoy my watch collection more.
This information was mainly sourced from a Winding Ritual article.
Thanks for reading. If anyone has a HMT, please post a pic in the comments.
UK 🇬🇧. Royal Navy Submariner. Things I like: Single Malt Whisky, Books, Coffee, Cribbage, Photography, oh... and Watches.
I Bought a Henri sandoz watch from India recently,£20 breguet numerals,the dial alone was worth the money to me,sounds painful to wind but didn't buy it for the movement 😂nice watch my friend I'd pay 10 for the numerals on that dial really cool 👌
I Bought a Henri sandoz watch from India recently,£20 breguet numerals,the dial alone was worth the money to me,sounds painful to wind but didn't buy it for the movement 😂nice watch my friend I'd pay 10 for the numerals on that dial really cool 👌
My franken 😂👌
I Bought a Henri sandoz watch from India recently,£20 breguet numerals,the dial alone was worth the money to me,sounds painful to wind but didn't buy it for the movement 😂nice watch my friend I'd pay 10 for the numerals on that dial really cool 👌
Yeah, when winding my Janata it feels like if you go a little too far it might just all break in your hands. I call it "character" 🤣
Yeah, when winding my Janata it feels like if you go a little too far it might just all break in your hands. I call it "character" 🤣
😂Was going to go with broke or faulty,but for theses optimistic purchases character is much more fitting 👌
Learning what the model name meant, and that it's an egalitarian term, alone makes this post worthwhile for me. I've been a fan of the model for a while.
Thanks for the post! Very interesting. I have an pink HMT coming. Once I have it I post for you to see.
I have an HMT pilot. Not going to lie. Bought 2 HMT's in the past and the movements were bad. But this pilot was given a new life with some help from modding. I flattened the dial and resized it to fit a new case. It got a new heart from an NH38 movement. Then paired with new hands that fit the look better. Please don't hate me. I have another in red coming to get a similar treatment.
I love the composition of that shot 😍 Is it a little out of focus? The dial feels clearer in the other photos. Apart from that, it's 10/10!
I have one, Ghandi on the dial and I love it. For the price I paid manual wind and the Indian company paying homage to Ghandi, I really enjoy it.
Learning what the model name meant, and that it's an egalitarian term, alone makes this post worthwhile for me. I've been a fan of the model for a while.
Thanks for the comment 🤝
Thanks for the post! Very interesting. I have an pink HMT coming. Once I have it I post for you to see.
Yes please, would like to see it when it arrives. Mine took the about 6 weeks to UK I think
I have an HMT pilot. Not going to lie. Bought 2 HMT's in the past and the movements were bad. But this pilot was given a new life with some help from modding. I flattened the dial and resized it to fit a new case. It got a new heart from an NH38 movement. Then paired with new hands that fit the look better. Please don't hate me. I have another in red coming to get a similar treatment.
Looks fantastic. I have had a little sniff around the Pilots too. If I see one that really jumps out I might get it
I love the composition of that shot 😍 Is it a little out of focus? The dial feels clearer in the other photos. Apart from that, it's 10/10!
Yes quite possibly. I have a manual focus lens on my DSLR camera, so trying to take the shot (with a tethered shutter release), focus, and keep my other arm steady was a bit of a challenge!
I have one, Ghandi on the dial and I love it. For the price I paid manual wind and the Indian company paying homage to Ghandi, I really enjoy it.
You should post a photo of it, I'd be keen to see it
Yes quite possibly. I have a manual focus lens on my DSLR camera, so trying to take the shot (with a tethered shutter release), focus, and keep my other arm steady was a bit of a challenge!
Yeah, I can understand how that might be difficult. Do you have a tripod? I feel that cheating with your free arm helps a lot, i.e. rest it on something out of sight from the shot.
Yeah, I can understand how that might be difficult. Do you have a tripod? I feel that cheating with your free arm helps a lot, i.e. rest it on something out of sight from the shot.
Yes, the camera is mounted on a tripod. I'll work at it. Tbh, I didn't have much time today so was a bit rushed.
Just searched on Ebay.
Quote:
C,ses are polished, dials may be refurbished or replaced. I loved the next bit.. Being old mechanical watches expect them to run at plus/ minus two minutes a day. 🤔
Just searched on Ebay.
Quote:
C,ses are polished, dials may be refurbished or replaced. I loved the next bit.. Being old mechanical watches expect them to run at plus/ minus two minutes a day. 🤔
Hey, at least there is some brutal honesty there! 😆
Loved the post Dan,and interesting read about a watch company I know nothing about. I love the photos.. especially the hand shot, but they're all great really. 🤓
Loved the post Dan,and interesting read about a watch company I know nothing about. I love the photos.. especially the hand shot, but they're all great really. 🤓
Thanks John, means alot. Glad you found something out about HMT too. Told you I had to up my game after your cork shot! 😆
Upped your game and leaving me in your dust. Dan 🤓
Upped your game and leaving me in your dust. Dan 🤓
Not quite but I was certainly a little more inspired 🤝
Love HMT. All I see online are Mumbai frankenwatches though.
Love HMT. All I see online are Mumbai frankenwatches though.
Yep they are fairly commonplace unfortunately.
You should post a photo of it, I'd be keen to see it
Sorry for the delay but here it is.
Sorry for the delay but here it is.
Very cool 👌👌👌