Bangalore Watch Company Raises $1.4 Million Seed Funding From Its Customers
The company is focusing on expanding its production capacity, distribution and collector base around watches built around contemporary Indian stories.
Indian independent watchmaker Bangalore Watch Company (BWC) has raised $1.4 million in a seed funding round backed by a group of its existing customers, including family-office principals and high-net-worth individuals from India and overseas.
The Bengaluru-based brand plans to use the capital to expand its presence in international markets with established communities of independent-watch collectors.
Unlike a conventional venture-backed round, the latest funding has come from people who already own or collect BWC watches. The company said the customer-funded approach allows it to bring in capital from people familiar with its products and its positioning as an independent watchmaker.
Founded in 2018 by husband-and-wife duo Nirupesh Joshi and Mercy Amalraj, BWC designs, engineers and assembles mechanical watches in India. The company currently exports to more than 30 countries and operates a flagship boutique in Bengaluru, with its watches generally priced between ₹1.5 lakh and ₹3 lakh.
BWC’s collections are built around contemporary Indian themes, including aviation, space exploration, cricket and the outdoors. Its portfolio includes the aviation-inspired MACH 1, space-focused Apogee, cricket-themed Cover Drive and Peninsula collections.
The company currently produces around 1,500 watches a year, with an average selling price of approximately ₹1.8 lakh. BWC plans to quadruple annual production over the next three to five years. The company also says around 30% of its customers are repeat buyers.
The new capital will be used to support BWC’s international expansion, with the company evaluating two to three overseas markets where independent-watch collector communities are established. It is also considering adding another store in India. The company has previously participated in Dubai Watch Week and made its debut at Geneva Watch Days 2026.
BWC has built its product portfolio around unconventional materials and engineering-led design. Its MACH 1 Admiral, for example, uses steel recovered from the anchor chain of INS Vikrant R11, India’s first aircraft carrier, for its dial. The company has also developed its proprietary Cerasteel material and has used meteorite and forged-carbon materials in different watch designs.
BWC’s participation at Geneva Watch Days 2026 marked another step in its international expansion. The company presented Peninsula Carbon and Forty-Seven to international media, collectors and members of the watchmaking community at a private viewing during the event. BWC described the appearance as the first participation by an Indian independent watch brand at Geneva Watch Days.
The latest funding gives BWC capital to increase production and build its presence in international collector markets while continuing to operate as an independent watch brand.