Admiral
HIGHLIGHTS:
WHY YOU'LL LIKE IT:
The MACH 1 Admiral is produced as a limited edition of 70 uniquely numbered pieces, in collaboration with HEFTY Art. Each of the 70 watches will be paired with a Digital NFT that will guarantee the authenticity and the provenance of the watch for future transfers of ownership.
Admiral brings a brand new story to the MACH 1 collection and a watch that brings to life a relic from Indian Naval Aviation. The Admiral is built on the MACH 1 platform but contains a dial made of Steel recovered from the INS Vikrant R11 that served the Indian Navy and was scrapped in 2014.
The grey-coloured dial is reminiscent of the hull of the Aircraft Carrier. At the 9H position, is a motif that resembles the Starboard side view of the INS Vikrant R11. The blue hour markers and the blue tip of the seconds hand is a reminder of the high seas protected by the ship.
With a caseback decorated with artwork depicting the anchor chain of the warship, the MACH 1 Admiral makes for a collector's item that will last you a lifetime and is sure to be a conversation piece in your social interactions.
BACKSTORY OF THIS WATCH:
The INS Vikrant R11 was a Majestic-Class Aircraft Carrier of the Indian Navy. It was inducted into the Indian Navy in 1961. The 19,500-tonne Aircraft carrier was the first of its kind for an Asian country at the time.
The warship saw combat action in two successive sprints. First in the Operations of Goa’s Liberation in 1961, and then in the Bangladesh Liberation Campaign in 1971. The Vikrant enforced a Naval blockade in December 1971 that led to a key victory for India in the Eastern Theatre. In 1984, the INS Vikrant was refitted to take on Sea Harrier fighter jets to support V/STOL (Vertical/Short take-off and landing).
After serving in the Indian Navy for 36 years, it was decommissioned in January 1997. The INS Vikrant inspired millions by being preserved as a Museum ship in Mumbai’s Naval docks. It was later scrapped in November 2014. In 2022, the Indian Navy commissioned its first-ever Indigenous Aircraft Carrier named IAC Vikrant in honour of its predecessor.
Why BWC?
Don't wear a watch, wear a story.
A mid-century-inspired dress watch paying tribute to HMT, or a robust aviation watch paying tribute to the Indian Air Force, our collections tell a story that gives you one more reason to wear a wristwatch and bond with it.
They'll last you a lifetime.
A good wristwatch lasts a lifetime. So, we built them with the highest quality components - be it surgical grade stainless steel, Swiss automatic movements, or scratch-resistant sapphire glass, our wristwatches are built to last you many years.
Because we care.
High-quality wristwatch ownership is like car ownership. Be it your first watch, or subsequent purchases, they leave you with lasting memories. Your lifestyle changes with time, and so do your watch-wearing preferences. We understand your needs well - be it a strap replacement, out-of-warranty repair for an accidental drop, or just a regular service, we strive to provide you with a superlative ownership experience. Talk to our team, and you'll know the difference.
| Case: 316L Surgical grade steel, matte black PVD coating |
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Dimension: 40mm size, 46.5mm lug-to-lug, 10.8mm tall, 20mm lugs
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Crown: 3H push-and-pull with BWC logo
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Water Resistance: 100 Meters
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Caliber: Swiss made La Joux-Perret G100 Automatic movement
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Power Reserve: 68 Hours
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Dial: Matte grey dial, with Starboard side view artwork of INS Vikrant
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| Lume: C3 Super-Luminova®, Grade A |
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Crystal: Scratch-resistant domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
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Strap: G-Force oil-pulled genuine leather straps, quick-release pin
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Buckle: Stainless steel tang buckle, with BWC logo
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Returns and Refunds
We will offer a Return and Replace your item if it is damaged or defective upon delivery. Please read our detailed returns and exchanges terms before placing your order.
Warranty and Service
All our watches are covered by our 24 month warranty, straps and accessories are not covered by our warranty. Please read our warranty and service terms to understand the warranty process.
Shipping
We offer free worldwide shipping for all watches. We ship from Bangalore once every week on Tuesdays via BlueDart for India, and FedEx for International orders. You will bear the customs duty in the country of your import. Please see our detailed shipping terms before placing your order.
Payments
We do not accept Cash on Delivery. We accept payments via Visa, Master, and AMEX cards. For India, we also accept NetBanking, UPI Wallets, EMI on your Credit Cards, or an instant-credit based 3-month payment through India issued Credit Cards. All payment options are presented to you via our Payment Gateway partner at checkout. If you are placing an order from outside India, please read our detailed notes about International payments.
What is the source of the INS Vikrant material?
When the INS Vikrant was scrapped in 2014, Mumbai-based Arzan Khambatta was commissioned to create a sculpture using material from the scrapped warship. The sculpture now sits in Mumbai’s Lion Gate. In 2023, Arzan Khambatta, Hefty Art, and Bangalore Watch Company™ come together to pay tribute to the INS Vikrant R11. A small portion of the scrapped INS Vikrant R11’s Anchor Chain was provided by Arzan Khambatta for the project which then was converted to dials through a meticulous manufacturing process by Bangalore Watch Company™. For this collaboration, Arzan Khambatta is also creating 5 unique sculptures that will use material from the INS Vikrant R11.
What part of the MACH 1 Admiral watch uses material from the INS Vikrant?
Watch dials are usually made of brass. The watch dials used in the MACH 1 Admiral come from Hardened British Steel that has been turned into watch dials. The Steel comes from the Anchor Chain of the INS Vikrant R11.
Do you provide a Certificate of Authenticity with the watch?
Each watch will be accompanied by a Digital NFT. The Digital NFT will act as proof of authenticity, and ownership of the watch.
Is the INS Vikrant material prone to rusting or oxidation?
The material is not prone to rusting, but it is prone to oxidation. However, the material has been subject to electroplating and painting and is inside hermetically sealed cases that are watertight to 100 Meters. The likelihood of rusting or oxidation is extremely low.
What is a Digital NFT?
An NFT, or Non-Fungible Token, is a unique digital asset that represents ownership of a specific item, in this case the MACH 1 Admiral on the blockchain.
How can I use it for validating the authenticity of the watch?
Each watch is associated with a unique blockchain-based NFT, containing immutable details like owner's name/wallet address, serial number, brand, and production date. Customers can verify legitimacy by scanning NFC/QR code on the watch box to ensure real-time authentication.
What happens if I sell the watch to someone else in the future?
In the event of a sale, the seller would transfer the ownership of the NFT along with the watch to the buyer. This is achieved through a straightforward process on the blockchain, known as a token transfer. The seller initiates the transfer from their digital wallet to the buyer's wallet, ensuring that the NFT now represents the new owner's ownership rights to the watch.
How/Where will I store my digital NFT?
Your digital NFT will be securely stored on the Ethereum network. While the NFT itself resides on the blockchain, you will be able to view and interact with it on the CrossMint Platform wallet which is integrated with the HEFTY.art platform. Ensuring convenient access and visibility to your valuable digital asset.
What is the process of minting the NFT?
The process of minting an NFT is straightforward. To claim the NFT, collectors can scan the QR code in the box or navigate to the link where they must enter their email and the voucher code shown in the box. Once this is done, the NFT will be minted and securely transferred to the collectors wallet, ensuring proof of ownership and authenticity for their valuable timepiece.
Do I have to pay anything additional for minting the NFT?
No, you do not have to pay anything additional for minting the NFT. The minting and transfer of the NFT are completely free of charge.
What is the KYC process required for minting the NFT?
There is no KYC process required to mint the NFT. We do collect emails in the case we need to contact you and to support the NFT minting flow.
Who is the wallet provider of the NFT?
The wallet provider for the NFT is "Crossmint”. Through Crossmint, users can securely store, view, and interact with their NFTs, ensuring easy access and management of their valuable digital assets.