Brands
Timex marks 170 years with a $1 limited-edition watch
Mumbai: Timex is celebrating its 170th anniversary by offering 1,000 limited-edition Waterbury watches for just $1, reviving a legacy of accessible timekeeping. On 16 November, consumers in India can claim their limited-edition watch at 10 am on shop.timexindia.com and at select retailers. This is a unique opportunity to be part of Timex’s celebration of time and resilience.
The release honors Timex’s watchmaking heritage since 1854, tracing its roots back to the Waterbury Clock Company. It commemorates the iconic Yankee pocket watch, their first timepiece sold for $1, known as “the watch that made the dollar famous.”
Before Timex, timekeeping was largely exclusive to the elite, with pocket watches priced out of reach for many. The Waterbury Clock Company democratized timekeeping, allowing farmers, train conductors, and factory workers to synchronize their activities. By the turn of the century, over six million of these ‘dollar watches’ were in use across America, and even Mark Twain owned one, having sent Timex a dollar for his own watch.
Timex Group CMO Shari Fabiani said, “Our 170th anniversary isn’t merely a celebration of our storied past; it’s a heartfelt reaffirmation of our unwavering commitment to making quality timepieces accessible to everyone. The $1 Anniversary Watch pays homage to the original Waterbury campaign, which promised ‘correct time for little money.’ In crafting this watch, we wanted to honor the loyal consumers who have trusted and cherished our brand over the years.”
This special release is part of Timex’s Waterbury collection, honouring its origins as the Waterbury Clock Company with quality finishes and innovative watchmaking. It features a glossy ice-white dial with the official 170th anniversary edition logo and 3D lacquered Roman numeral markers. On the caseback, there is vertical brushing and an engraving that commemorates this significant moment in Timex’s history.
Timex India MD Deepak Chhabra shared, “For 35 years, Timex India has been a part of this incredible and coveted global brand legacy. The 170th anniversary isn’t just a celebration of the brand’s existence; it’s also an opportunity for us to express gratitude and thank our loyal customers who’ve trusted us for generations and have believed in our promise of ‘reliable timekeeping at a great price’. We are excited about the launch of the much-anticipated limited edition $1 Anniversary Watch in India and can’t wait to see and join in our customers’ delight”.
1,000 limited-edition watches will be issued worldwide and offered at select accounts globally, ensuring that watch enthusiasts from all corners of the world can join in the celebration. In India, 120 pieces of the $1 watch will be launched on 16 November at Rs 83.
Brands
Hocco crosses Rs 530cr revenue in two years
Sauce.vc-led Rs 100cr raise values ice cream brand at Rs 2,500cr pre-money as quick commerce hits 20 per cent of sales.
MUMBAI: Hocco has just scooped a seriously sweet milestone crossing the Rs 530 crore revenue mark in just two full years of operations. The fast-growing Indian ice cream and indulgence brand announced it has raised Rs 100 crore in fresh capital led by Sauce.vc. The round values the company at Rs 2,500 crore pre-money and underscores investor confidence in its rapid scale and distinctive India-first approach.
Founder Ankit Chona said the brand’s success stems from solving real Indian challenges extreme summer heat, fragmented cold chains and culturally rooted tastes. “In India, product development doesn’t end in the lab. It only ends when it survives the street,” he noted. This philosophy has produced viral hits such as Aamchi mango ice cream, BIX cake-sponge sandwiches, the Oh cone and culturally relevant collaborations like Haldiram’s Barfi and festive Modak specials.
Hocco currently operates manufacturing facilities in Ahmedabad and Panipat with a production capacity of approximately 3 lakh litres per day, running near full capacity in peak season. The fresh capital will help expand this to around 4.5 lakh litres per day.
Quick commerce has emerged as a major growth engine, now contributing ~20 per cent of overall business and growing nearly 2x year-on-year. The channel has boosted product discovery, increased consumption frequency and helped extend ice cream beyond its traditional seasonal limits.
Sauce.vc founder Manu Chandra said, “At Sauce, we believe that when you chance upon an outlier business, you double down with stronger conviction. We see Hocco as just that.”
With a strong innovation pipeline, deeper distribution and continued focus on cultural relevance, Hocco is entering its third year aiming to capture even more mind space and market share. In a category long dominated by legacy players, this young brand is proving that the coolest way to win is to build for India’s realities, one scoop, one street and one satisfied craving at a time.
