Announcement
Bangalore Watch Company™ announced that it will participate in the 2026 edition of the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), marking its second consecutive appearance after debuting at the 2025 awards. The brand is entering the competition with its new model, the Peninsula Carbon.
Innovative Material and Design
The Peninsula Carbon features a world‑first dial material created from carbon captured directly from the atmosphere. Bangalore Watch Company™ has developed a proprietary material called ReforgeCarbon™, which utilizes industrial waste and atmospheric pollutants to produce the carbon‑based dial. The watch’s case is water‑tight to 200 meters, houses a Swiss automatic movement for high accuracy, and is protected by a scratch‑resistant sapphire crystal. Its minute track is replaced by a scale inspired by the Air Quality Index (AQI), serving as a subtle reminder of urban growth and its environmental impact.
Founder Comments
Co‑founder Nirupesh Joshi stated, “This is a proud milestone for us. Last year, our participation at the GPHG was an important moment for Indian watchmaking. Returning for a second consecutive year is both encouraging and humbling. It reinforces our belief that contemporary stories from India can find appreciation around the world when paired with thoughtful design and world‑class craftsmanship.”
Co‑founder Mercy Amalraj added, “The Peninsula Carbon reflects a subject that is relevant not just to India, but to the world. By combining material innovation with a distinctly Indian perspective, we wanted to create a watch that remains true to our vision of bringing modern storytelling to high‑quality watchmaking.”
About the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève
Established in Geneva, Switzerland, the GPHG is regarded as the watch industry’s highest distinction. An international jury evaluates entries on design, innovation, engineering, and craftsmanship, recognizing only the most outstanding timepieces each year.
Company Background
Founded in 2018, Bangalore Watch Company™ creates high‑quality mechanical watches that narrate 21st‑century Indian stories, drawing inspiration from aviation, cricket, space, and the great outdoors. The brand has achieved several firsts, including watches made from recovered fighter‑plane and aircraft‑carrier materials, India’s first watch qualified for spaceflight, and a proprietary Cerasteel™ material that fuses steel and ceramic. Recognised by global publications such as The New York Times, Forbes, and Hodinkee, the company serves customers in over 30 countries. The founders, husband‑and‑wife team Nirupesh Joshi and Mercy Amalraj, left overseas tech careers to pursue modern Indian storytelling through watchmaking.
Market Perspective
Joshi noted that India is becoming an increasingly important market for luxury watches and emphasized that the country should be viewed not only as a consumer but also as a producer capable of delivering globally appreciated brands.