Throwback to my first ever mechanical watch, a reissue of the HMT Pilot Limited Edition. HMT (Hindustan Machine Tools) was an Indian government-subsidized watchmaker known for making affordable, reliable mechanical watches starting in 1961. They were manufactured completely in India, with an in-house HMT 0231 movement developed in collaboration with Citizen and licensed from the latter's 0201 Parashock movement. HMT watches were absurdly popular in India even through the quartz crisis, due to import tariffs keeping out foreign watchmakers. But in 1991 those tariffs were lifted, and soon after a new watchmaker named Titan flooded India with cheap quartz watches mass-produced in Chinese factories. HMT couldn't compete, and despite releasing their own short-lived quartz lineup, they suffered massive losses and eventually went out of business.
Today's generation in India is completely unaware of HMT for the most part. This watch was a gift from my in-laws, who live near the last remaining HMT factory in Bangalore and were able to acquire this piece when they were selling off existing stock after the factory closed for the final time. It sold for 3663 rupees, or $48.84. 36mm diameter with a domed acrylic crystal. Not the fanciest watch, but it holds a good deal of sentimental value.
(apologies for the sasquatch arm 😬)