The Communist Wrist

Kolkata may be a communist headquarter, but the rich here do not mind forking out Rs 36 crore for wristwatches.  International super-brand Omega has released a special edition of handcrafted wristwatch -- cased in 22 carat gold and encrusted with over 50 diamonds -- on a platinum dial with the inner mechanics crafted in gold and platinum.  It makes only 25 such watches every year on demand.  This year, three such watches made their way to Kolkata.  The first two have already been hand-delivered under tight security and the third is in transit.  The watches, kept in a bank vault, were taken out under security only after the buyers arrived at the fixed hour to “take possession.”  “Down payment has to be made in cash, half of which is the booking money.  After a customer places an order, Omega gets in touch with its Geneva unit, which takes around nine months to craft one watch.  It is then delivered to the buyer and the remaining Rs 18 crore is paid on delivery.”  Mall showrooms sell premium wristwatches worth Rs 2.25 crore every month.  They are priced at Rs 60,000 to Rs 12 lakh.  The brands include Omega, Rolex, Dior, Rado, Longines and Tag Heuer.  Even lesser-known ones like Frederick Constant, Ulysse Nardin and Franck Muller Geneve are in demand here. Changing lifestyle and global exposure is responsible for the spurt in sale and growing demand in this city of the communists.