Having spent a month with The Baagh II, I can say it’s a watch that beautifully blends history and modern style. This timepiece from the Jaipur Watch Company’s Baagh Collection combines tradition and innovation in an appealing way
By Sharan Sanil
The first thing that catches your eye is the dial. Dripping with Art Deco influences, the Baagh II’s Mosaic enamelled dial comes in three stunning colours—black, blue and green—I went with the black one, which looks amazing, especially in natural light. The offset watch face is a clever design choice, letting the Quarter Rupee Baagh Coin take the spotlight, delicately overlapping the 6 o’clock position. This coin, featuring a prowling tiger, is a nod to the last coin minted under British rule in India and it adds a unique historical touch to the watch; a particular point of pride to wear during Independence month, and definitely is a conversation starter all by itself. A slick touch is the inverted colour scheme for the Baagh II’s inset coin depending on whether you’ve chosen a steel or gold-plated case for the watch. The tonneau case itself is another highlight, taking a stark departure from the first-gen watch’s tambouresque case design. Its distinctive stepped rails create an interesting play of light and shadow, making the watch stand out. The stainless-steel case feels both sturdy and luxurious, giving it a solid presence on the wrist. This is somewhat marred by a relatively modest lug width, though in some cases, the resultant low-profile leather strap allowed the dial to pop even further on the wrist—something that worked delightfully when paired with summer-season ethnic wear, drawing curious glances and compliments at dinner table settings.
In line with JWC’s other recent automatic launch from 2024—the Eternal Watch—the brand has once again gone for a dependable workhorse of a Japanese movement. Instead of a Seiko, however, you’ll find the compact Miyota 6T28 Premium Automatic movement ticking underneath, capable of just under two days of power reserve. Over the past month, I’ve found it to be quite spot-on, needing very little adjustment, though the crown could stand to be a bit more tactile. Despite its clear focus on historical significance, The Baagh II is a very comfortable-to-wear watch. The gently curved caseback design is supremely wearable, the leather strap is supple, and the tonneau edges offer a comfortable yet subtle gap from the wrist that allows for a dramatic taper in the case’s profile, without too much skin contact. After a month of wearing The Baagh II, I can definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a watch that combines style, craftsmanship, and a nod to Indian history.
Specification – Details
Case Dimensions – 43mm x 34mm
Dial – Enamelled Mosaic
Movement – Miyota 6T28 Premium Automatic
Crystal – Sapphire
Case Material – 316L Stainless Steel
Power Reserve – 40 Hours
Strap – 18mm leather
Water Resistance – 5 ATM
Price – Rs 55,000
Reproduced with permission from Mansworldindia.com
