July 06, 2026

Etched Caseback in MACH1®

A watch does not only tell time on its face. It carries meaning in places that are felt as much as seen, and for the MACH1® collection, one of those places is the caseback. Most well-known watch brands treat the caseback as a canvas, using it for something artistic or technical. The MACH1® aviation-inspired collection does this through etching, turning a hidden detail into part of the story. 

Etching is the process of engraving a design into metal so it becomes part of the surface rather than sitting on top of it. On MACH1® watches, this is done on surgical-grade 316L stainless steel, or on a matte black PVD-coated surface for certain pieces. Surgical-grade 316L is known for its strength and resistance to corrosion, and it holds fine detail well under etching. On the matte black PVD finish, the same etching reads differently, since the design sits against a darker, non-reflective surface, giving the lines a more understated presence. 

The collection started with a MiG-21 caseback, etched to mark India's first supersonic jet. From there, each MACH1® watch began carrying a caseback design tied directly to the story it represents. 

One Craft, Many Stories

The MiG-21 etching appears across the Civilian, Aviator, and Officer's Blue watches, each carrying a tribute to India's first supersonic jet. The Silk Scarf watch features a caseback honouring women in aviation. The Synchro watch carries nine aircraft in diamond formation, a tribute to the Suryakiran Aerobatics Team. The Avalanche shows a Chetak helicopter flying above a mountain range, representing high-altitude aviators. And the Admiral carries an anchor chain etched behind it, inspired by INS Vikrant, India's first aircraft carrier. 

Each etching stays close to the story of its watch, so the caseback becomes another place where that story continues, not just a cover for the movement underneath. 

Why the Caseback Matters in an Automatic Watch 

In an automatic watch, the caseback often goes unnoticed, kept away from view once the watch is worn. But for a watch collection rooted in aviation, this space becomes an opportunity rather than an afterthought. As an Independent Indian watch brand, Bangalore Watch Company uses caseback engraving to add a layer of craftsmanship that goes beyond function, giving collectors and aviation enthusiasts a reason to look closer. This attention to detail is part of what shapes the identity of MACH1® within the wider world of aviation watches, where design and mechanical engineering are expected to work together. 

Beyond Etching 

The caseback has been part of Bangalore Watch Company's design language since the beginning. BWC's first watch, Renaissance, was a dress watch built with an exhibition caseback, letting the movement itself be seen. Since then, some collections have taken this further with 3D embossing. The Apogee collection carries embossed Aryabhata artwork on its caseback, while the Cover Drive collection features an embossed cover drive shot, tying the design back to the sport it draws from. 


At Bangalore Watch Company, every watch is built around a story, a design that supports that story, and the craftsmanship to bring both to life on the wrist.