HMT Janata Review

 HMT Janata Primer

This video was shot in 2015-16 during a GTG. This is a comprehensive video covering the basic Janata models. 

HMT Citizen

In the year 1961, HMT set up a watch manufacturing Unit at Bangalore in collaboration with M/s Citizen Watch Co., Japan. The first batch of Hand Wound Wrist Watches manufactured here was released by the then Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru. The most popular mechanical hand-wound watch is HMT Janata. Janata is the first produced watch from HMT.

Set up in 1961, HMT is a state-owned manufacturer that collaborated with Japan’s Citizen Watches to produce a range of watches that Indians were proud to sport.  A HMT watch was an integral part of the unofficial uniform of Indian office-goers through the ‘60s, ‘70s and ‘80s. Even today collectors of HMT timepieces swear by the brand’s retro appeal, its reliability and its undeniably Indian flavour.

The following is my analysis on the design and devlopement of HMT Citizen: since the ToT came from Citizen Watch Co., Japan some of the basic designs were directly copied from the parent company, this might have been done due to the fact that it is easier to make copies rather than setting up a design division at the early stage. The Citizen watches had its Homer and Phynox series that resemble the HMT Citizens. Here are some examples:

The above Citizen Homer and Master has a three piece case which has been gold plated along with the indices. HMT might have directly used these designs for the HMT Citizen which also falls in the same category.

HMT Citizens that were only manufactured in the early 60s in the Bangalore Factory (01) came in various variants. 

HMT Citizen Initial Release (Courtesy Ponnappa)

These variants might have been the first HMT Citizens to be manufactured in the factory. Later some variety in indices, calligraphy and colour might have been incorporated.

Looking at the case back the GP denoted the case being gold plated, the case back being SS. 14502 depicts (1 Bangalore 45 Series 02 Case Variant) Old Janata case is 01.

(Courtesy Ponnappa)

These dial variantions were modified that led to these dial variants.

Citizen Primary Guilloche (Courtesy Ponnappa)

Citizen Phynox Indices (Courtesy Kartar)

Citizen Junior Dial (Courtesy Sachin)

Citizen Sona Guilloche (Courtesy Varun T)

Citizen Black Dial

There are two more variants which could not be posted due to copyright issues. 

Dedicated to the great nation Bharat. A vedic national anthem

आ ब्रह्मन् ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मवर्चसी जायतामा राष्ट्रे राजन्यः
शूर इषवयोऽअतिव्याधी महारथो जायतां दोग्ध्री धेनुर्वाढानड्वानाशुः
सप्तिः पुरन्धिर्योषा जिष्णू रथेष्ठाः सभेयो युवास्य यजमानस्य वीरो जायतां निकामे निकामे नः
पर्जन्यो वर्षतु फलवत्यो न आषधयः पच्यन्तां योगक्षेमो नः कल्पताम् ॥

 

HMT Jawan and Variants

 

The slogan "Jai Jawan Jai Kisan" was given to the country by Lal Bahadur Shastri. What is special about this is the fact that it hails and cheers two the most important occupations in India at that time. The Jawan points to the soldiers, who play an important role in the protection of the country. The Kisaan signifies the farmer which was the primary occupation of the majority of India.

HMT did come out with the Jawan series of watches that is being exemplified in this blog. It is a known fact that Bangalore is the first HMT factory setup for the production of watches thus the Jawan produced in the mid 70's are the first that is discussed. 

The first generation Jawan was produced the Bangalore factory in the mid 70's. The dial had a powder matt finish and typical to the era the dauphine hands and the doom crown. The lume was hand applied and was in continuation to the pilot series calligraphy. Small font size continued. 

Pic Courtesy Ponnappa

The next edition of the Jawan was from the same factory but it had lumed sword hands instead of the dauphine hands. In my opinion this is the only HMT watch that has a lumed sword hands with cavity. HMT also released the same version with Big Fonts too during the same era. 

Pic Courtesy Suhan

Further, HMT has plans for the release of full arabic numerals lumed Jawan in both the hand variants. 

Pic Courtesy Biju

There is also a story stating that these were issued to the GC (Gentleman Cadet) in the Indian Army. I would refrain myself into giving opinion on that. But the case back etching seems to be consistent with the year of manufacture.

One more version of the Jawan was released in the 1980s (unable to share the pic due to copyright issue). The difference being the colour of the print which was green.

Then there was a lull until HMT Ranibhag reissued the Jawan in 2011-12 producing 500 odd dials. 

Pic Courtesy Ponnappa

These watches had some change in calligraphy fully hand lumed and was difficult to get one initially. These watches cane with a press fit case back that was manufactured in Ranibhag for its Pilots and Janata range. I too was after this variant and was happy to pick one.

The final nail in the Jawan variant was when HMT re-issused in 2020 the full lume and half lume variants in all types of case and hand variants.

Pic Courtesy Ponnappa

This was the end of an era that replaced the iconic dauphine hands with chickpete (aftermarket) hands, poor case quality, hand lume replaced by screen print dials.

There was other Jawan that was posted in one of the facebook groups that had unique features. The indices were lumed. This is the only variant that has been seen till date that is different from the original dial design.

 

Pic Courtesy Bipin

  I hope HMT brings back the old designs and we get to see some good old watches.

 

Dedicated to the great nation Bharat. A vedic national anthem

आ ब्रह्मन् ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मवर्चसी जायतामा राष्ट्रे राजन्यः
शूर इषवयोऽअतिव्याधी महारथो जायतां दोग्ध्री धेनुर्वाढानड्वानाशुः
सप्तिः पुरन्धिर्योषा जिष्णू रथेष्ठाः सभेयो युवास्य यजमानस्य वीरो जायतां निकामे निकामे नः
पर्जन्यो वर्षतु फलवत्यो न आषधयः पच्यन्तां योगक्षेमो नः कल्पताम् ॥

 

HMT Collectors Dilemma - An Example

 HMT Collectors Dilemma

A watch collector especially the ones collecting HMT are a in a dilemma always while purchasing watches. One of the dilemma is when to buy the watch if its special. I too have been in this situation before.

One such example in this blog is the Jubilee. This dilemma is applicable for any other watch too, but I restrict myself to Jubilee in this blog.

Jubilee 25 years. Released to commemorate (25 years) establishment of HMT. These came in various variants too. 25 depicted on the dial shows the year of establishment as 1953 and 1978 as the silver jubilee year. 1953 is the year of establishment of HMT machine tools division. The commonly seen variants are the silver dial and white dial variants. The case back was made in 1978 from the Bangalore factory. The case back is of screw back type with case code 140178. 14 is the case code for old HMT made in 60s. 01 is the Bangalore factory meant to deal with hand winding movement. 78 is the year of manufacture. These were first batch of Jubilee to be ever released. Later several dial variants were released. The dial variants includes matte dial (graphic dial), Arabic numerals in both plain and graphic dial, Jubilee Janata and Jubilee deluxe and many more.

Jubilee 25 Years (HMT Machine Tools Silver Jubilee)

 

Jubilee Variants

One of the dilemma that a collector faces is when to buy the watch (in what condition ?) the price being subjective. The example that I am considering in this blog is a 25 Years Jubilee. During 2012-14 Jubliee was considered to be watch that was hard to find let alone the 25 Year variant. A few of the 25 Year variants were documented one of the firsts were from Ponnappa.

First Documented Jubilee 25 Years Variant

I too had my share of luck with the 25 Years variant. Here is where many make mistakes including me. The first issue is we gun for everything even scrap. The first Jubilee was a sham which has a huge ding on the dial. Since, I did not have much to say and it was a scrap I did pick the watch just for keeps thinking that the probability of success in finding another is far less that 1%. This analysis was due to the fact that it was highly impossible to find a simple Janata art deco let alone Pilot or Jubilee during those times. 

The First Jubilee 25 Years (Scrap Dial)

 

The first Jubilee 25 was unusable but the only satisfaction was it was tick mark against the to have  list . I did not care to search for a replacement dial or even a NOS. Years passed by then in 2015 I happen to see a 25 Year Jubilee again in a very poor condition this was the next test. The price of the watch simply irresistible and thought of giving a new life to the watch hence picked up the watch. 

Second Jubilee (Poor Dial)

Here is where I lost the plot. After the second Jubilee I started to seriously search for a reasonably better dial or a NOS (highly improbable) watch. One of my very close friend and fellow collector Raaj had his share of luck in finding a NOS 25 Year Jubilee. Then this happened:

25 Year Jubilee (Decent Dial)

I thought it was end game here until Raaj helped me out with a NOS Jubilee again. This too at a hopelessly low price.

Jubilee 25 Years (NOS)

Now the dilemma is why did I buy the watch in scrap in the first place ? Should I have waited for the NOS in the first place ? Was the effort worth it ?  What to do with the other watches (as I don't sell) ?

In midst of all these dilemma and question I did get one more 25 Year Jubilee :)

The mindset of a collector is difficult to change sometimes!!!

One More

 

 

Something for this great nation Bharat.

उत्तरं यत्समुद्रस्य हिमाद्रेश्चैव दक्षिणम् ।

वर्षं तद् भारतं नाम भारती यत्र संततिः ।।

The greatest lesson on nationalism was taught by Sir Rama to Lakshmana after the war with Ravana 

अपि स्वर्णमयी लङका न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते ।

जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ॥

Api swarnamayi lanka na me Lakshman rochate
janani janmabhoomishch swargaadapi gasriyasi

Sri Rama says to Lakshmana ,” Even though this Lanka is made of gold, still it does not appeal to me. The Mother who gave birth to me and my motherland are more respected and at a higher level than heaven itself.”

MiG 27 - Flogger

MiG 27 - Bahadur

The Mikoyan MiG-27 (Russian: Микоян МиГ-27; NATO : Flogger-D/J) is a variable-geometry ground-attack aircraft, originally built by the Mikoyan-Gurevich design bureau in the Soviet Union and later licence-produced in Bharat (India) by Hindustan Aeronautics as the Bahadur ("Valiant"). It is based on the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23 fighter aircraft, but optimised for air-to-ground attack. Unlike the MiG-23, the MiG-27 did not have widespread use outside Russia, as most countries opted for the Mikoyan-Gurevich MiG-23BN and Sukhoi Su-22 "Frogfoot" instead. It remains in service only with the Kazakh Air Forces in the ground attack role. All Russian, Indian and Ukrainian MiG-27s have been retired.  

The MiG-27 designation was used by the Mikoyan-Gurevich firm some time before, this occurring while trying to fulfill another Soviet requirement for a dedicated low-level close-support aircraft. While this aircraft went on to become the Sukhoi Su-25 "Frogfoot", the MiG-27 designation resurfaced again in the dedicated ground-attack version of the MiG-23 interceptor. The MiG-27 retained the same NATO codename of "Flogger" as the MiG-23.

Development

Development of the Flogger fighter always included provision for making it a dedicated strike version. The original MiG-23 was an interceptor at heart, built on straight-line speed and designed to engage in air-to-air combat with ground strike as a secondary (albeit limited) role. The MiG-23 entered service in the early 1970s and replaced the aging MiG-21 "Fishbeds" in their air defense roles. The MiG-21, while fast and capable, suffered from having short range and a limited ordnance capability. The arrival of the MiG-23 remedied that.

Though the MiG-23 was converted into a modified fighter-bomber version, it still retained much of its "fighter" origins. However, the aircraft was cheap to produce, robust, reliable and - with some modifications - could be made adapted into a more dedicated role. The result was the MiG-23BM "Experimental" which ultimately became the MiG-27 "Flogger".

The MiG-27 was developed into an export model by way of the MiG-27L. India was the major customer to which Mikoyan and the Soviet government sent the aircraft in parts to the South Asian nation for indigenous production. The MiG-27L was based on the MiG-27M and differed only in a revised Infra-Red Search and Track (IRST) housing under the nose. HAL of India handled construction of 130 ground attack fighters.

India was also the recipient of an indigenous upgrade program that produced the improved MiG-27H in 1988. MiG-27Ls were used in the upgrade program and fitted with French-based avionics.  There was also an optional French-based Agave or Russian-based Komar radar system to be housed in the nose radome for improved air-to-air and anti-ship capability as needed. The upgrade program covered some 140 to 180 aircraft.  

This fighter got decommissioned on December 31st 2019.

IAF's "lethal" fighter aircraft Mig 27, which proved to be "ace attacker" during the 1999 Kargil war and earned nickname of 'Bahadur' from pilots, passed into the glorious history of country's air force on Dec 31st 2019 when their last squadron of seven planes had its last sortie from Jodhpur airbase.
The fleet also took an active part in Op-Parakram.

This was the only squadron left now known as Scorpion 29 comprising seven upgraded MiG 27 at Jodhpur Air Base. This will be the end of an era of swept wing ground attack fighters in the world.
The No. 29 Squadron, known as the ‘Scorpios’, will be ‘numberplated’ (placed in suspension) until it can be re-operationalised with new aircraft and manpower.

The Last Flight

As a matter or remembering the MiG 27 Flogger, a watch has been created. The watch is inspired by the swing wing of the MiG 27. Its a limited edition watch that were made only in 25 numbers. 

MiG 27 Flogger Design

Aircraft Design for Dial

Proposed Dial

Case Back Design - (Smallest Swept Angle for Greater Speed)

Patch for MiG 27 - Flogger

Squadron of 25 MiG 27 (Case Back)

The case back was lazer etched using the MiG 27 art work and also numbered. 

The arrow was inspired by the IR sensor on the aircraft nose and antenna. The Crown is based on the duck billed/ platypus nose. 

The Bahadur

Lume Shot

Something for this great nation Bharat.

उत्तरं यत्समुद्रस्य हिमाद्रेश्चैव दक्षिणम् ।

वर्षं तद् भारतं नाम भारती यत्र संततिः ।।

The greatest lesson on nationalism was taught by Sir Rama to Lakshmana after the war with Ravana 

अपि स्वर्णमयी लङका न मे लक्ष्मण रोचते ।
जननी जन्मभूमिश्च स्वर्गादपि गरीयसी ॥
Api swarnamayi lanka na me Lakshman rochate
janani janmabhoomishch swargaadapi gasriyasi

Sri Rama says to Lakshmana ,” Even though this Lanka is made of gold, still it does not appeal to me. The Mother who gave birth to me and my motherland are more respected and at a higher level than heaven itself.”

HMT Day/Data Pointer etc...

HMT Pointer Dates

HMT has a distinction of producing watches which have date pointer complication. Date pointer / date pointer is a concept in which the either day or date chapter has been replaced by a pointer hand and the said pointer shows the day or date. 

HMT produced certain automatics which had these complications. It is said even HMT manual winding had these but I have not seem any of them. HMT essentially used a modified 6500 movement for the date pointer and were essentially made in Bangalore factory. These date pointers were sold at a higher price during the early 90's and they were considered a flop project. Thus these were not produced in great numbers. The HMT variants that had date pointers were Excel, Leo and Taurus. Sweekar is a day pointer. There are watches developed in the similar dial features this post also highlights those too.

The picture below depicts the changes in the 6500 movement to make it a day/date pointer.

Excel / Taurus / Leo - Date Pointer Movement

Sweekar Day Pointer Movement

1.  HMT Sweekar
 The special watch has been in demand ever since the first post on social media. These were watches wherein the day complication has been replaced by a pointer wheel. This pointer wheel depicts the day that has been printed on the dial. These were available in three basic dial colours viz., black, white and yellow. Black never came out but only in test dial stage. The known variants were white and yellow. These were also exported to Japan market which had no day pointer but a day window at 6-o clock position. The Japanese variant was in a Kajal case. There are mix and match variants developed by local mechanics in which Rajat case in used.

HMT Sweekar (picture courtesy Sriharsha)

Sweekar Yellow Dial

Sweekar Mix and Match

The Sweekar and Pinki Plinth in HMT Museum

2. HMT Excel
This one is a special watch wherein the date window is replaced with a date hand. The dial edges are printed with dates and the hand denotes the date. Thus, the name date pointer. These watches were produced in Bangalore factory 02 in the 90s. These watches houses a 6500 movement with the date mechanism replaced with a date pointer ring and a hand. Initially due to its price there were no takers for this watch and hence was discontinued. The HMT mad rush in 2014 created so much hype and enthusiasm that these were deemed rare and thus the price escalated beyond reach. These were the date date pointers that were also mentioned in the HMT watch catalogue. 

Excel from the Catalogue and Early Webpage

 The excel were available in three dial colours namely white, yellow and black (unseen). Three variants (date pointer, just excel without date pointer (Japanese version), excel with day chapter at 6-o clock). 

HMT Excel (Date Pointer) Pic Courtesy Team-BHP

HMT Excel Pic Courtesy Ponnappa

I too was lucky to find one of these. Initially the excel that I had did not have the date pointer wheel but few months back did get an opportunity to find one. It had reached a level where in people used to ask about the date pointer every-time the watch was posted.

HMT Excel (before)

HMT Excel (after)

HMT Excel (HMT Museum)

 

Excel in Showroom (circa 2011)

In the past few days one more variant of Excel has been seen. The difference being the print on the dial. The ring printed on the dial which just graces the Roman indices is not present.

HMT Excel Variant (Mix and Match Case): Dial Variant

Picture Courtesy Sachin Jayakumar

 

 

 

A Rare Variant of Excel with Numerals (Courtesy Sachin Jayakumar)

 

3. HMT Leo

This watch is like the hens tooth or the phoenix. These were never produced in numbers and did not sell in the earlier days. Leo along with Taurus were deemed unfit for the market in the 90's era by the marketing team. These have become collectable and rare. The leo dial has a guilloche pattern similar to that of HMT Sona but a flat dial. The indices at 12,3,6 and 9 were raised indices designed using coining process along with arrow type indices for other indices.

Picture Courtesy Manoj Kumar and Bipin Takhur

4. HMT Taurus

This is one variant which has many combinations in terms of dials and date complications. Traditionally Taurus is just a simple roman indices watch with day and date complications. This also had been listed in the old HMT webpage as HMT Taurus SS.

HMT Taurus (webpage)

HMT Taurus (Roman Indices - SS Case)

These Taurus were superseded by the date pointer versions.

Taurus Full Numerals Date Pointer Pic Courtesy Ponnappa

Taurus Half Numeral Date Pointer

Apart from this HMT also had Japanese and Banner Date Variants.

HMT Taurus (Banner Day) Japanese Version Pic Courtesy Ponnappa

HMT Taurus (Banner Day) Japanese Version Steel Case

Taurus Banner Date (Kajal Case) Japanese Edition

Taurus Dater (Pic Courtesy Ponnappa)

Taurus Automatic (Half Numerals)

Taurus Plinth in HMT Museum

Ensemble of Taurus

HMT Taurus (Dater) Pic Courtesy Tarun

It is said there are many more variants.
One collector Raviprasad also tried to design his version of Date Pointer which he called Aries.

Raviprasad's Design Aeries (Copyright Raviprasad)

There are similar watches that are similar to Taurus and Leo manufactured in the same generation in the same assembly line of Bangalore.

HMT Anuroop

HMT Abhijit (Pic Courtesy Ranjit)

I tried to develop one date pointer on self interest.

Date Pointer (Not from HMT)

It is believed that many test dials of similar kind had been made in the Bangalore factory which would eventually come out. Will try to update them as soon as possible. 

Something for this great nation Bharat.

उत्तरं यत्समुद्रस्य हिमाद्रेश्चैव दक्षिणम् ।

वर्षं तद् भारतं नाम भारती यत्र संततिः ।।

"The country (varṣam) that lies north of the ocean and south of the snowy mountains is called Bhāratam; there dwell the descendants of Bharata."

आ ब्रह्मन् ब्राह्मणो ब्रह्मवर्चसी जायतामा राष्ट्रे राजन्यः
शूर इषवयोऽअतिव्याधी महारथो जायतां दोग्ध्री धेनुर्वाढानड्वानाशुः
सप्तिः पुरन्धिर्योषा जिष्णू रथेष्ठाः सभेयो युवास्य यजमानस्य वीरो जायतां निकामे निकामे नः
पर्जन्यो वर्षतु फलवत्यो न आषधयः पच्यन्तां योगक्षेमो नः कल्पताम् ॥