Devotees of Lord Venkateswara can now dedicate a few extra minutes to worship the Hindu god as he adorns their wrists in a miniscule shrine built by horologist company Century. The company joined hands with luxury watch boutique Rodeo Drive to launch the limited edition Single Sapphire Lord Venkateswara Edition watch this month. Priced at Rs 27 lakh, and limited to 333 pieces worldwide, the watch makes for an unusual collectible for followers of the Indian God. Lord Venkateswara or Balaji (as he is also known) is protected by 42mm sapphire case that is scratch resistant and water resistant (to a depth of 100 metres) with 12 hand-cut and polished facets. 13 diamonds delicately mark the hours of the self-winding mechanical chronometer, while 34 rubies and emeralds adorn the gold-engraved God on the dial. The watch sits on a premium leather strap of alligator skin with a folding buckle in 18 carat red gold that emphasizes the subtle aura of this collectible, while its back (also made of red gold) features an engraved image of the Vimanam, or the rising roof of the Gods temple.
A certain percentage of proceedings from each sale shall be contributed to the Balaji Institute of Surgery, Research and Rehabilitation for the Disabled (BIRRD), Asias largest charitable orthopaedic hospital in Tirupati.
Text by Aashmita Nayar