Titan by Tata: Titan started with a big risk, today JRD Tata’s Titan has become one of the largest lifestyle companies in the country.

Kolkata: When it comes to buying a watch, Indians today don’t think much beyond the Titan. Titan, Sonata, Fastrac or Pose, all the brands are actually under Titan. But this success did not come in one day. Behind it lies a unique story of visionary planning, technological revolution and trust in indigenous manufacturing. Titan was launched in 1984 by JRD Tata, the then chairman of the Tata Group, and Xerxes Desai, an executive of the Tata company. Which later became one of the largest lifestyle brands in the country.

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In the early eighties, the Indian watch market was limited and largely dependent on smuggled foreign watches or plain design watches manufactured by government agencies. JRD Tata’s dream was to create a world-class watch entirely made in India. For that purpose, a state-of-the-art watch manufacturing facility was set up at Hosur in a joint venture with the Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation (TIDCO). The company was named Titan. Even today, the Tamil Nadu state-owned company holds a close to 28 percent stake in Titan.

In 1987, the first watch of Titan came to the market. The company ushered in a new era in the Indian market by using modern quartz technology instead of conventional mechanical technology. The combination of attractive European style design, reliability and affordable price made the Titan quickly popular. Watches are no longer just a timekeeping device, but also a part of fashion.

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After success in the watch business, Titan gradually expanded its operations. Launched in 1994, Tanishq brought the concept of branded and quality jewelery to the unorganized Indian jewelery market. Later Titan Eyeplus entered the eyewear business. At the same time, brands like Sonata, Fastrac and Titan Edge also gained immense popularity.

Started with an investment of less than 10 crores, Titan today has more than 2,000 showrooms. This has made Titan one of the largest lifestyle companies in India. Blending tradition and modernity, Titan is a unique achievement symbol of the Indian art world today.