On a cloudy day in Jaipur, Nebula by Titan unveiled a special timepiece – Jalsa – that is the embodiment of the Pink City’s rich cultural and historical heritage. 

Jalsa, a limited edition of 10 pieces, draws inspiration from the majestic architecture of Hawa Mahal or Palace of Winds. Celebrating 225 years of this architectural marvel on its marble dial, the watch features hand-painted miniature art of the Hawa Mahal in the backdrop of Maharaja Sawai Pratap riding on an elephant. Each piece of the limited edition watches are hand-painted by renowned Padma Shri Syed Shakir Ali, an Indian artist known for miniature art. Ali used centuries-old techniques - like painting with a single-strand squirrel hair paint brush, and using natural source of colours like indigo, lac, turmeric, khadiya and more - to bring the painting to life on a 37.5 mm dial. 

Another highlight of the timepiece is an in-house flying tourbillon comprising 144 precision parts and 14 jewels, at 6 o’clock. This is Titan’s second watch with a flying tourbillon movement. Last year, while celebrating 40 years of the brand, Titan launched India’s first in-house flying tourbillon movement highlighted on a handcrafted Guilloché dial. The flying tourbillon also features a customised rotating cage representing the ‘T’ of Titan. 

While there are no hour-markers on the dial the watch displays hours, minutes and seconds with central hands. Hours and seconds are indicated by sword-shaped sapphire hands, while the minute hand is a circular magnifying sapphire that lets the wearer of the watch admire the details of the miniature art of the dial every minute of the hour. 

Crafted entirely in 18-karat rose gold, the watch has a sandwich construction. There is a case-middle accented by a ring of natural red agate, a stone used extensively in the Pink City. Beating inside is Titan’s in-house calibre 7TH2, visible from a clear caseback. Turning the watch reveals an exhibition caseback featuring nine distinct finishes like the circular Côtes de Genève with anglage and perlage, and circular satin with anglage, creating a beautiful interplay of textures. The bridges of the movement are finished with red agate featuring “flying tourbillon” and “Titan” written on the bridges in contrasting white. 

While launching the timepiece, C K Venkataraman, Managing Director, Titan Company Ltd, said: “With JALSA, we are not just launching a watch — we are presenting a cultural artefact. It is a rare fusion of India’s artistic magnificence and watchmaking mastery, brought to life by our teams with unrelenting passion." Jalsa is also the brand's official second entry to the 2025 GPHG Awards. "As we present JALSA to the world at GPHG, we do so with pride — for India, for Titan, and for everything we carry within us.” 

Images: Courtesy Brand