India’s iconic watch brand HMT witnessed an overwhelming response from customers on Independence Day, recording sales worth more than Rs 35 lakh in a single day, according to Union Minister H D Kumaraswamy.
The strong response, particularly in Bengaluru, has renewed attention on the homegrown brand and its enduring emotional connection with Indian consumers.
Long queues reflect enduring popularity
Customers reportedly queued up to 2 km in Bengaluru to purchase HMT’s special-edition watches. The response has highlighted the continuing popularity of a brand that has remained closely associated with generations of Indian consumers.
Kumaraswamy thanked the public for their support, saying the response demonstrated the strong emotional bond people continue to share with HMT.
The remarkable sales have also sparked renewed conversations about the future of the watchmaker and the possibility of restoring its position in India’s watch industry.
Push to revive the iconic brand
Kumaraswamy has reiterated his efforts to revive HMT and bring the brand back to greater prominence.
For many consumers, HMT watches represent more than a timekeeping device. The brand carries a sense of nostalgia and national pride, particularly among those who grew up seeing its watches as a familiar part of everyday life.
The Independence Day sales have therefore offered an encouraging signal for efforts to strengthen the brand.
Strong response brings fresh hope
The enthusiastic response has also prompted expressions of support from consumers on social media, with many calling for HMT’s revival and wider availability of its watches.
The sales figure and long queues suggest that interest in Indian heritage brands can remain strong when products connect with customers through quality, nostalgia and national identity.
The response to HMT’s special-edition watches could provide fresh momentum to efforts to revive the iconic watchmaker and reconnect it with a new generation of Indian consumers.