Thursday, March 17, 2016

Dard ka Rishta - HMT Kanchan.

Due to a physical ailment ailment, I have to attend physiotherapy sessions. During the sessions, amidst the casual chitchat, I usually keep gazing at my watch admiring it's beauty. A few days back, I had this HMT Kanchan watch on my wrist, the physiotherapist said, "My father used to wear an HMT Kanchan watch too. He got it for his marriage and used to wear it every day." "Really, that's great..would love to see it", - I asked. "It must be still with him, he was buried with his watch on his wrist, his beloved watch......". I murmured an apology and a stony silence resumed between us for the rest of the session. "Can you please wear this watch tomorrow as well?" - She requested. From that day, I wear this watch every day to the session. She loves looking at it and sharing fond memories of her father and how badly she misses him, but now in a more cheerful manner.In a way, these sessions help both of us in getting relieved of our pains. I am amazed by how a familiar watch could connect two unfamiliar people. In our case, we are connected by a Dard ka Rishta (Related by pain) thanks to the HMT Kanchan watch. I intend to gift her this watch on the last day of our session, will update all of you on her reaction.

(Edited for sharing an update) I am required to continue with physiotherapy for a few more weeks but luckily i got an option to attend the session at my office during the working hours itself. I updated my physiotherapist at the hospital about this development. I told her, how much i appreciate her sharing the dear memories of her late father and that i would want her to keep the watch as a parting gift. To my dismay, she politely refused to accept my request. She said her organization does not allow her to accept gifts from customers, it would be unethical on her part to accept the watch from me. I decided not to pester her as i could not ask her to do anything that can be interpreted unethical. She thanked me for the offer and said that she enjoyed and would always remember our discussions. I told her, that though i would have been much happier, had she accepted the watch as a gift. Nonetheless, i understand and appreciate her decision and that every time i would wear this watch, it would remind me of her and her father .

Dear friends,not every story has an ending as we expect it to be, but then, that's life and who knows, there might be another story which is getting unfolded waiting for an audience.    


21 comments:

shalini bharadwaj said...

touching story of a beautiful watch

Anonymous said...

It's sad to hear about your physical ailment, and the story is beautiful same like the watch

Shalini said...

Get well soon Pandey ji I want to hear rest of the story

Aditya shinde said...

What do you think of www.hmtwatches.in ?
Should I buy a watch from there ?

Unknown said...

Dear prashant ji
Greetings for the day

I am a watch lover & collector also , recently i started collecting hmt watches . I want to know from where i can buy original & new hmt pilot & janta & other models also. Waiting for your reply.
Regards
Rajesh Bakshi

hemant said...

Really glad to read that a watch can break barriers between people. An unknown person takes interest in talks due to HMT watch. Great. You have a heart of gold (Sona) to gift a watch that too HMT to your physiotherapist due to her nostalgic connection with the watch and her father.

Pseudo Intellectual said...

Hi Prashant,

I am in awe of your love for HMT watches.. To be honest, I always saw them as a lingering reminder of our socialistic past.. But now as I have grown older and wiser, I realise the romanticism involved in it. I admit, I am in love with the Pilot.. I am trying to source one. Sorry for my apparent ignorance, are they still being manufactured? Is there anywhere I can get a new one? If not, would you know someone who would be willing to part with a white dial example?

Thanks

Cinish

HMT watch Collectors said...

Thank you

HMT watch Collectors said...

It's not that bad, everytime I visit the hospital I count my blessings, as I see people in much worse situation. Thanks for your kind words.

HMT watch Collectors said...

Updated.

HMT watch Collectors said...

Hmtwatches.in is the official hmt watches website.

HMT watch Collectors said...

I have seen janata and pilot watches becoming available on the Hmtwatches.in website often.

HMT watch Collectors said...

Thank you for your kind words.

HMT watch Collectors said...

I have seen janata and pilot watches becoming available on the Hmtwatches.in website often.

Unknown said...

Hi Mr Prashant Pandey, I recently found an old HMT Kohinoor para shock 17 - 0231, #040780 at my parents house. It was looking quite dirty, so I cleaned it up, and turned the crown, and now it's running beautifully. Turns out, it is one of my father's wedding watches from the early 80s! I was so thrilled, I went back and kept digging through his old belongings, and I found his other dress watch - HMT Kanchan Day-Date as well! I couldn't believe it - both watches run great.

Are you able to help me date the production of both watches, and give me more information on them? It would really mean a lot to me as I want to restore and re-gift these to my father. Thanks

Pradeep said...

Hi Prashant,
I appreciate your efforts in putting all resources in one place about HMT watches.
I also landed to your blog after reading about the HMT mechanical watches. I havent got one yet, but, there are quite a few of them available at the hmtwatches.in site.

The story about your doctor and her father's watch is really touching.
Hope you will get well soon!

Regards,
Pradeep

HMT watch Collectors said...

An approximate idea regarding the year of manufacturing can be made with the case back code on the watch. It's the numbers mentioned on the back of your watch. Do share the same and I might be able to help you with it. If possible share pictures too.

HMT watch Collectors said...

Thank you for your kind words and good wishes. I am doing much better now.

Deepanjan said...

Hi Prashant,

I just wish to know if it is possible to get the HMT Astra watch in Tumkur, I have studied there from 2000-2004 but always knew that the watch factory has been closed.

Could you help me with the place/shop where I can get the HMT Astra.

Regards,
Deepanjan

HMT watch Collectors said...

I brought mine from the HMT showroom in the Tumkur city but it's closed now. You may however check at the HMT Tumkur factory sales outlet though chances of getting an astra are quite slim.Good luck

HMT watch Collectors said...

I brought mine from the HMT showroom in the Tumkur city but it's closed now. You may however check at the HMT Tumkur factory sales outlet though chances of getting an astra are quite slim.Good luck