The Apogee wristwatch collection by Bangalore Watch Company has reached new heights – quite literally. In a recent test flight, the watch successfully soared to 114,000 feet above Earth, returning in perfect working condition. This achievement not only showcases the watch’s robust engineering but also solidifies its reputation as a true ‘Indian space watch.’
Mercy Amalraj, co-founder of Bangalore Watch Company, shared the inspiration behind the Apogee collection, which was launched in 2021. “We wanted to go beyond just drawing inspiration from space. Our goal was to create watches that could actually withstand the rigors of space travel,” Amalraj explained. This vision led to a partnership with a UK-based space-engineering firm to conduct a meticulously planned stratospheric flight in early 2024.
Nirupesh Joshi, Co-Founder and Creative Director, dubbed this mission the “Karman Line Project,” after the boundary between Earth’s atmosphere and outer space. The test involved a high-altitude balloon carrying a carbon-fiber spacecraft that braved temperatures as low as -65 degrees Celsius and intense shock forces upon re-entry.
Joshi highlighted the challenges faced during the mission, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the watches could endure the harsh conditions of space. Thanks to their rigorous ground testing, the watches proved their durability under extreme circumstances.
To celebrate this milestone, Bangalore Watch Company has released a limited edition of 50 Apogee Karman Line watches, priced at Rs 2,40,000 each. Each watch features a distinctive blue Muonionalusta meteorite dial, sourced from a meteorite older than Earth itself. This achievement marks a significant milestone for the Apogee collection, solidifying its position as a groundbreaking ‘Indian space watch.’
