History of HMT Watches:
HMT or Hindustan Motor Works was established in 1953 as a machine tools company that manufactured tractors and heavy machines. It was the time of industrialization and like many other industries another industry taking root is HMT. In 1961 in collaboration with Citizen Watches, Japan the watchmaking division of HMT was initiated. Soon HMT watches became immensely popular in India. Anyone born before 1980 likely wore an HMT watch. The first watch that HMT produced was called Hmt Janata and it became an instant hit amongst the people. I have one of the variants here of this legendary HMT Janata model known as Janat Art Deco.
The watches were mechanical, hand-wound with a power reserve of 30-36 hours. The highlight of the watches was their affordability. Even the costliest gold-plated watches were within the reach of many.
HMT mainly used two movements from Citizen, the 17 jewels 0231 and 21 jewels 6906. The HMT Pilot, Janata, and Kanchan were a few well-known models. However, due to poor management and competition from brands like Titan, which entered the market in 1981, HMT watches began to lose their charm. Slowly the quartz watches swallowed the market and brands like Titan encashed the opportunity with its cheap and more feature-rich quartz watches. The mechanical watch market shrank more and more and Indian Government eventually closed down the factories of HMT in 2016.
Since the closure of the factory, interest has been resurgent among collectors for these watches and the official HMT website occasionally releases new watches from existing stock.
Quick Summary:
HMT Janata Art Deco
Pros:
- A timeless design with good build quality.
- Reliable mechanical movement.
- Historical significance.
- Lightweight and comfortable for all-day wear.
- Fantastic value for the money.
Cons:
- Availability is a major issue.
- Accuracy is not great.Â
- Basic watch with not many features.Â
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
|
Case Material |
Stainless Steel |
|
Crystal |
Domed Acrylic
|
|
Movement |
Mechanical, HMT 0231 in-house movement
|
|
Accuracy |
Deviation of around +40 to 45 seconds per day
|
|
Crystal |
Sapphire Crystal
|
|
Water Resistance |
30m |
|
Power Reserve |
Approximately 34 hours
|
|
Price |
Approximately 60 USD |
|
Lume |
NA |
|
Country of Origin |
India |
|
Warranty |
1 Year |
Specifications Overview:
The Janata Art Deco is a mechanical watch, housing an HMT 0231 in-house movement that sports a power reserve of about 34 hours. The power reserve is a bit low, and you will have to wind the watch almost every day to keep the time in check. The watch case is made of stainless steel with a nice polish, providing a good finish for a watch in this price range. It is encased under a domed acrylic crystal. Although acrylic can be easily scratched, it is also easily replaceable. The case diameter is 35 mm, and the lug width is 18 mm. The lug-to-lug measurement is approximately 43 mm, and the case thickness is 11 mm.
Design and Aesthetics:
Upon seeing this watch, it gives a classic vintage look. It features Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 for the hour markers. The polished stainless steel minute and hour hands have a red second hand, adding a nice touch. The case is so sleek that it fits perfectly as a dress watch, seamlessly going with any suit or shirt without any extra bulk. The case diameter is a bit small at 35mm, making it ideal for small to medium wrist sizes, but it might not be suitable for larger wrist sizes. The quality of the strap that came with the watch was not satisfactory, so I ordered a different one, which you can see in the pictures.Â
Finding an 18mm strap may not be easy, but you can still find a suitable one in the market and easily replace it. Whether it’s a NATO strap or a leather one, this watch suits them all. Overall, I must say that in terms of build quality and styling, this watch exceeds its price point and captures the attention of many. So, I have no complaints about the design and build at all. Below is a quick wrist shot for you guys.Â
Features and Functionality:
When it comes to features, this watch is a simple classic timepiece without any extra frills. It doesn’t have date complications or luminescent elements. The HMT Janata is a beautiful vintage watch that’s uncomplicated and straightforward in its functionality. Its simplicity takes me back to its history and the good old days of timekeeping.
In the past, timepieces were crafted with a primary focus on precision and functionality, and extravagant features were not as common as they are today. Watchmakers dedicated their efforts to creating reliable timepieces that excelled at their core purpose: telling time accurately.
Movement and Accuracy:
HMT Janata is powered by the HMT 0231 movement. This movement has stood the test of time, being reliable and fairly accurate. I have noticed a deviation of around +35 to 40 seconds per day in this watch, which might not be extremely accurate, but considering its price point, there is no room for complaint, especially when it comes to comparing a mechanical movement to a quartz one. The power reserve lasts for about 34-36 hours, so you’ll need to wind it almost daily. Since I don’t use it regularly, I wind it and set the time whenever I wear it. I don’t mind doing this because I have many mechanical watches, and winding everyone regularly is not possible.
Finally, I would say you can trust this movement, and in addition to that, HMT provides a 12-month warranty for this watch. Moreover, servicing and repairing this movement are readily available, making it convenient to maintain and keep in good condition.
Wearability and Comfort:
The case thickness of HMT Janata is very slim at 11 mm, and with its 18mm lug width and 43.8mm lug-to-lug measurement, it provides a perfect fit with ease. Even if you wear this watch throughout the day, you won’t feel any discomfort; it’s that comfortable. The custom leather band I’ve added is the icing on the cake – it’s plush, comfortable, and adds a personal touch. While the HMT Janata watch claims to be water resistant, I would recommend avoiding exposing it to water during activities such as showering, swimming, or any other water-related activities to prevent any potential damage.
Value for Money:
Now, here’s the kicker – I got this watch for around 60 USD. That’s a bargain for a mechanical watch! I have hardly come across any good mechanical watch at this price you might not even find a good quartz watch at this price. And the HMT Janata is not just a watch; it represents India’s history, a time when India was striving for self-sufficiency, and a new era was being ushered in. That’s why it’s difficult to determine the value of this watch based solely on its price. Moreover, it has become a collector item today because of these reasons. For those who are on a budget and looking for a good mechanical watch, there might not be a better option than this, where quality and history come together in one package.
Where to Buy:
The major problem or drawback of this watch, I would say, is its availability. It is quite challenging to find this watch unless you are very lucky. HMT’s official website often has the stock unavailable, and even if it becomes available, it quickly goes out of stock within seconds. For those who want to track the availability of this watch, I have provided a link to a tracker: https://hmt.tomatosquash.com. This website’s Twitter bot provides notifications when the stock becomes available. I hope this will be helpful to you.
If you’re in India, you can grab this beauty from https://www.hmtwatches.in/. For international buyers, eBay or Popular Watch Co, Pune, India are your go-to options – they ship abroad too. Just remember to be cautious when buying from eBay to ensure your watch isn’t a modified or Franken watch. Stick to genuine pieces for the best experience. Second-hand or used watches can be snagged for a mere 30 to 40 USD!
Conclusion:
In conclusion, HMT Janata is an excellent watch if you can get your hands on it. It will take you back to those olden days and evoke a sense of nostalgia with its classic design and simplicity. Owning an HMT is not merely about telling time; it’s about possessing a piece of history. And for around 60 bucks, it’s a history lesson I’d gladly experience again.
