India’s Entry into the Supersonic Era

In the 1960s, India entered a new chapter in aviation with its first supersonic fighter jet, the MiG-21. The earliest model, the MiG-21 FL Type 77, was built under license by Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL). It became one of the fastest aircraft in the Indian Air Force and played a key role in shaping India’s air defence capabilities for decades. 

For generations of pilots, engineers, and aviation enthusiasts, the MiG-21 was more than an aircraft. It represented India’s move toward becoming a modern air power. The jet served in several major operations, including the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War and multiple defence missions in the decades that followed, earning its place as an aviation icon. 

When the MiG-21 FL Type 77 was eventually decommissioned. From this material came the idea for a tribute within the Mach 1 collection. 

The Mach 1X - a limited-edition watch featured dials made from military-grade anodized aluminium recovered from a decommissioned MiG-21. This grey-toned dial honoured the earliest version of the jet that introduced India to supersonic aviation. Only 21 pieces were produced, and the model is now sold out. 

Each watch carried the aircraft’s story in a real, tangible form, giving collectors the rare opportunity to wear a piece of Indian aviation history. 

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Pilot watches around the world often reflect wests aviation history. Mach 1X, however, brought the Indian Air Force story to the wrist. It combined the functionality expected from a pilot watch with design elements inspired by the MiG-21. 

Oversized crowns shaped like aircraft exhaust nozzles, luminous indices for clarity, and high legibility across the dial made the Mach 1X practical for pilots and enthusiasts alike. The watch extended beyond aesthetics; it carried purpose and a narrative that connected directly to India’s aviation heritage. 

Flip the watch over, and the caseback presents three MiG-21s in V-formation, an iconic visual long associated with the aircraft. Each variant in the Mach 1 collection, including the Officer’s Blue, Civilian, and Aviator, features this engraving. 

Below the formation, the tribute “India’s First Supersonic Fighter 1963–2013” is etched into steel. For many owners, this detail is one of the most meaningful parts of the watch. 

The MiG-21 remains a defining chapter in India’s aviation history. Through the Mach 1 and Mach 1X, that story moves from aircraft hangars and cockpit memories to something wearable and lasting for the owners of these Indian watches. These pieces allow owners to carry and celebrate moments that shaped modern India. They often become conversation starters, whether it’s about the IAF legacy reflected in the Mach 1, India’s space achievements through the space watch Apogee, the nation’s passion for cricket in the Cover Drive, or the outdoor and landscape inspiration behind the outdoor watch Peninsula Professional. 

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