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HEFTY.art, Arzan Khambatta & Bangalore Watch Co honor INS Vikrant R11 legacy
Mumbai: In a first-of-its-kind collaboration that brings together art, history, and innovation, HEFTY.art, renowned sculptor Arzan Khambatta, and prestigious watchmaker Bangalore Watch Company have unveiled a groundbreaking collection paying homage to the legendary INS Vikrant R11.
The new collection, crafted from the reclaimed metal of the revered warship, includes five exclusive sculptures designed by Arzan Khambatta and a limited-edition series of 70 wristwatches mindfully created by Bangalore Watch Company. The creations will be further fortified with HEFTY.art’s digital non-fungible tokens (NFTs), infusing them with authenticity and security in the digital realm.
Arzan, the popular Mumbai artist, is recreating his existing sculpture of INS Vikrant at Lions Gate, Mumbai and will sculpt five unique representations of the monumental warship. These sculptures will be designed to attract the essence of the warship’s resilience and significance, invoking a deep appreciation for its role in Indian Naval history.
Complementing the sculptures, Bangalore Watch Company’s limited-edition wristwatches will incorporate the warship’s metal, establishing a tangible connection between heritage and timekeeping. Each of the 70 watches will feature cases made from marine-grade steel, sapphire crystals for durability and a La Joux-Perret Swiss-made automatic movement with an impressive 68-hour power reserve.
This collaboration further marks a revolutionary use of non-fungible tokens (NFTs) in the collectibles sector. The digital tokens, supported by HEFTY.art’s technology, will serve as unalterable certificates of authenticity and ownership. Their presence on the blockchain guarantees the perpetual integrity of these cherished creations, preserving their value and heritage.
“The INS Vikrant R11, an emblem of India’s naval prowess, served as an essential protector of the nation’s seas during its tenure from 1961 to 1997. Notably, it was the first aircraft carrier in Asia, showcasing its significance in history. The collaboration seeks to memorialise this historic legacy by infusing its metal into the uniquely crafted art pieces that exceed multiple mediums,” said HEFTY.art co-founder Kanishq Chhabria on the remarkable feat of unveiling the collection.
Sharing his thoughts on the initiative, Arzan said, “The 5 sculptures will create awareness with a wider audience about India’s Naval history and the INS Vikrant. As the NFT market continues to grow, it will undoubtedly facilitate a wider reach and open new opportunities to connect with a global audience of art enthusiasts, historians, and collectors.”
Bangalore Watch Company co-founder and creative director Nirupesh Joshi voiced, “The watches are made by processing the hardened steel that was recovered from the erstwhile warship to be used as dials. This detailed process took several months to handle the special materials sensitively without damage, and we’re proud of what we’ve been able to achieve.”
The exclusive collection will be available for reservations and purchases from the noteworthy historical day for India, i.e. 15 August 2023. The limited-edition wristwatches by Bangalore Watch Company will be priced at Rs 2,12,000/-, while Arzan Khambatta’s sculptures can be acquired by redeeming the corresponding NFTs on the HEFTY.art platform, priced at Rs 7,50,000/-.
This collaboration is not only a celebration of artistry, craftsmanship and innovation but a symbolic representation of the endurance and legacy of the INS Vikrant R11, solidifying its impact for generations to come.
https://www.hefty.art/INSVikrant
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Google nears Nvidia in race for world’s most valuable company
Market cap gap narrows as Google hits $4.65 trillion, Nvidia at $4.86 trillion.
MUMBAI: In the AI gold rush, even the giants are sprinting and Google is suddenly gaining ground. Google is rapidly closing in on Nvidia in the race to become the world’s most valuable publicly listed company, with the gap between the two narrowing sharply amid diverging stock momentum. The tech giant’s market capitalisation has surged to around $4.65 trillion, following a more than 140 per cent rise in its share price over the past year.
That rally has added over $2.6 trillion in value in just 12 months, including nearly $900 billion since January alone. Its stock recently hovered at $381.80, slipping marginally by 0.04 per cent, but still reflecting strong upward momentum.
Nvidia, meanwhile, continues to hold the top spot with a valuation of approximately $4.86 trillion. The chipmaker crossed the $5 trillion milestone in October last year and peaked at $5.27 trillion on 27 April. However, its shares have largely plateaued over the past six months, rising just 0.2 per cent recently to $199.99.
The contrast in trajectories is striking. While Nvidia has seen relatively flat movement, Google has gained over 36 per cent in the same six-month period. Barron’s estimates suggest that if current trends hold, the valuation gap could shrink to as little as $190 million by the time Nvidia reports its first-quarter earnings on 20 May.
Daily momentum paints a similar picture. Nvidia recorded average daily gains of about 0.66 per cent last month, compared to Google’s stronger 1.42 per cent, an edge that could prove decisive in the short term.
Driving Google’s resurgence is its aggressive push into artificial intelligence across its ecosystem, from search and YouTube to cloud computing. The company has already invested $144 billion in capital expenditure over the past two years and plans to deploy a further $490 billion over the next two.
Its cloud division is also gathering pace. Google Cloud reported an order backlog of nearly $220 billion in the latest quarter, with total backlog touching a record $462 billion, around half of which is expected to be realised within two years. The company’s entry into chip sales is also beginning to factor into its growth narrative.
The last time Google briefly topped the S&P 500 by market value was in February 2016, when it edged past Apple for just two days. This time, the stakes and the numbers are far higher.
At the heart of the contest lies a single force: artificial intelligence. As both companies pour billions into infrastructure, chips and platforms, the leaderboard is no longer just about size, it is about who can scale the future faster.
