TimeGrapher and Delhi Watch Company launch Tithi, a moon-phase watch featuring Malayalam and Tamil dials

TimeGrapher, a global watch lovers’ collective that originated in Kerala, has launched its third watch, Tithi, this time in collaboration with the Delhi Watch Company (DWC). Designed by TimeGrapher and manufactured by DWC, Tithi brings together a moon-phase complication with Malayalam and Tamil numerals. It comes in four colours — salmon and blue for Malayalam and green and yellow for Tamil. 

Thithi is a unit of time. One tithi is calculated as the moon’s 12 degree shift with respect to the sun, explains Sohan Balachandran, founder of TimeGrapher. A tithi lasts from 19 to 26 hours and one month is divided into 30 tithis, Sohan explains further. “Culturally, in India, the moon phase is the basis of several of our festivals, agricultural events, and rituals. It was the way time itself was experienced. This watch seeks to bring that influence into a contemporary expression of horology,” says Sohan. 

Salmon coloured watch with Malayalam dial
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Special Arrangement

The 316 L stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal and a Japanese 6P24 Miyota movement, the unisex, quartz watch has quick release suede straps. Collaboration with DWC has made the watches more accessible to the public, says Sohan. “With Nazhika (2021) and Olam (2024), TimeGrapher’s earlier launches, the watches were sold out before people outside the watch groups came to know of them. Here, we have 1,500 watches each in Tamil and Malayalam dials,” says Sohan. “We have closely followed the growth of DWC as an Indian microbrand and have long been interested in their journey. They have also been very supportive of us, so the collaboration came together quite naturally,” Sohan adds.

Blue dial with Malayalam script
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Colourful dials

The colours of the Tithi watches are drawn from the sky and landscape. The Malayalam edition in salmon and sky blue reflects the coastal horizon of Kerala, the soft blush of dawn and dusk over the sea and the Tamil edition, rendered in yellow and green, are inspired by the sun-lit fields, fertile earth and colours shaped by seasons and cultivation of Tamil Nadu. 

“The idea is to build a watch for the entire country. We plan to do it in every Indian script – Kannada, Telugu, Bangla, Devanagiri, Odiya, Gurumukhi…” says Sohan. 

Green dial with Tamil script
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Tithi’s launch coincides with the Lunar New Year that begins on February 17. It has already been receiving an overwhelming response. “Moon-phase watches typically do not include a seconds hand; however, we designed this piece with usability in mind. The dial features 60 vertical lines and the seconds hand blends into the design, moving over these lines almost imperceptibly,” adds Sohan. Tithi, however, will be made available only once a year dyring the Lunar New Year window. “This year, since the remaining numericals are to be launched, we will have batches releasing throughout the year. But all the watches will be limited to one batch. For instance, Malayalam and Tamil dials will not be released post February,” Sohan clarifies.

TimeGrapher, a large community of watch lovers, that began functioning as a group begain in 2019 in Thiruvananthapuram. The idea was to create a platform where watch collectors can come together. The group has been actively keeping alive a culture of wearing non-smart watches. The members, who also include collectors, are spread across the globe. Today, TimeGrapher has chapters in Thiruvananthapuram, Kochi, Bengaluru, Mumbai and abroad as well including the UK, the US, Dubai and Qatar. The members take their passion seriously, organising regular meet-ups and discussions. They will be bringing out a sequel to Olam in 2027, says Sohan. 

Tithi, priced at ₹5,500 is available on the website of DWC. https://delhiwatchcompany.com/