Time is Eternal, Gadgets are Fleeting
- Rajnish Kautia
- 16 hours ago
- 4 min read
As an avid watch collector, I’ve watched the "Wrist War" evolve from a battle of features to a battle of values. As we navigate 2026, the global luxury watch market is proving that while technology moves fast, heritage moves deep. Nowhere is this more evident than in the contrasting fortunes of traditional mechanical watches and the struggling smartwatch sector in the Middle East and India.
1. The Industry Challenge: Quality over Quantity
The global luxury sector is currently in a phase of "Refined Intentionality." After the speculative "hype years" (2020–2022), the industry is facing a 15% tariff on Swiss imports and a cooling secondary market. Brands are now forced to shift from volume-driven sales back to storytelling and craftsmanship.
The biggest hurdle?
Bridging the gap between a savvy, research-oriented younger generation and the traditional exclusivity of waitlists. Collectors in 2026 are no longer impulse-buying; they are investing in pieces with soul, driving a resurgence in Independent Watchmakers (like MB&F and F.P. Journe) and smaller case sizes (the 37mm-39mm "sweet spot").
2. Regional Titans: Middle East vs. India
Both markets are booming, but for very different reasons.
The Middle East (GCC): Here, the watch is a sovereign asset. In the UAE and KSA, luxury watches are viewed as "portable wealth." Brands like Rolex, Patek Philippe, and Richard Mille dominate, with the region now accounting for over 8% of total Swiss watch exports.
India: This is the industry’s most explosive frontier, with a market projected to hit $1.7 billion in 2025 and grow toward $3 billion by 2030. Success here is driven by a shift from traditional gold jewelry to mechanical watches as the preferred "milestone gift" for weddings and anniversaries. Seiko, Tissot, and Ethos-backed brands are capturing the "new luxury" middle class.
3. The Smartwatch Slump: "Black Screen Fatigue"
While luxury mechanical watches are hitting record highs, the "budget" smartwatch market in India is facing a reckoning.
Snapshot: India's Wearable CorrectionMarket Drop: Smartwatch shipments in India plummeted by 30% in 2024 and continued a double-digit decline into 2025. The Cause: Consumers are tired of "disposable tech." Low-cost sensors, poor battery life, and a lack of innovation have led to "saturation fatigue." The Shift: Interestingly, the Premium smartwatch segment (₹20,000+) grew by 147%, proving that buyers don't want "cheap gadgets"—they want longevity.
4. The Gatekeepers of Time: A Closer Look at the Retailers
Behind every great collection is a retailer that bridges the gap between Swiss ateliers and local collectors. In the Middle East and India, these businesses are often multi-generational legacies that have evolved from small family workshops into massive corporate entities.
Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons (UAE): Established in 1950 with a single shop in the Bur Dubai Souk, this family-led powerhouse has become the cornerstone of luxury in the Middle East. As of 2026, they represent over 80 prestigious brands across a network of more than 50 boutiques in the UAE. They are the primary reason Dubai is a global top-10 destination for Swiss exports, notably through their pioneering partnership with Rolex since 1952.
Ali Bin Ali Luxury (Qatar/KSA/Kuwait): Part of one of Qatar’s largest conglomerates, the luxury division began in 1945. Today, they are the premier partner for brands like Audemars Piguet and Cartier in the region. They have successfully expanded into Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, leveraging nearly 80 years of market expertise to dominate the high-jewelry and "High Horology" sectors in the Northern GCC.
Ethos Limited (India): Founded in 2003 by Yashovardhan Saboo, Ethos is the retail juggernaut that professionalized the Indian market. After becoming India’s first luxury watch retailer to go public in 2022, they have aggressively expanded to 87 boutiques across 26 cities as of late 2025. They are the exclusive gatekeepers for over 45 luxury brands in India and have pioneered the "Second Movement" platform to legitimise the pre-owned market.
Kapoor Watch Co. (India): A true watchmaker’s legacy, the company was founded in 1967 by Mr. D.S. Kapoor. Originally a specialist in repair and service, it is now a third-generation business with 16 showrooms primarily concentrated in the Delhi-NCR and North India regions. They are celebrated for having one of the most loyal client networks in India and for their deep-rooted relationship with Rolex, which began in 2004.
Art of Time (India): A younger, more boutique-focused entrant founded in 2015, Art of Time specialises in the ultra-high-end "collector" experience. Based in Mumbai, they recently secured significant Series B funding in late 2025 to expand their footprint. Known for housing one of the largest Cartier collections in the country, they represent the shift toward specialised, "shop-in-shop" luxury experiences for Mumbai’s elite.
Success in 2026 isn't just about what's in the case; it's about the hands that pass it to you.
Market | Top Retailers | What They’re Doing Right | The Missed Step |
Middle East | UAE - Ahmed Seddiqi & Sons Qatar - Ali Bin Ali | Creating cultural events (Dubai Watch Week). | Inventory lag on older collections. |
India | Ethos Limited, Kapoor Watch Co. | Professionalising the secondary/pre-owned market. | High-demand allocation vs. local frustration. |
The Bottom Line: Leading retailers in the Middle East have mastered experience, while Indian retailers are winning on trust and transparency.
Summary
The "death of the watch" was a myth. What we are seeing is the birth of the "Intentional Wrist." Whether it's a Patek Philippe Nautilus celebrating its 50th anniversary this year or a Seiko 5 Sports on a young professional in Bengaluru, the mechanical watch has reclaimed its crown from the dying buzz of the budget smartwatch.
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