Story Highlight
– Nava Krishnan founded Ardra Labs after corporate hacking.
– Delta Type watch addresses India’s unique time zone issue.
– Patent enables display of various time zone offsets.
– Watch priced at $2450, limited to 300 editions.
– Design features elements of Indian architecture and engineering.
Full Story
Nava Krishnan, who previously worked as a cybersecurity consultant in Washington DC, has shifted careers by establishing Ardra Labs, a bespoke watchmaking venture. His foray into this industry was motivated by a specific challenge faced by many expatriates, particularly those with connections to India.
Ardra Labs’ inaugural timepiece, The Delta Type, addresses the difficulties associated with India’s peculiar time zone, which is 5.5 hours ahead of GMT. This discrepancy poses problems for those trying to coordinate time with family members residing in India from countries such as the United States, where the standard time is 10.5 hours behind. Additionally, this issue extends to Nepal and certain areas of New Zealand that observe a 45-minute time difference from the majority of the world.
With a population nearing 1.5 billion and around 35 million Indians living abroad, the market for a dual-time watch that accommodates such unique time differences is substantial. Mr. Krishnan has merged his technical expertise with artistic vision to develop The Delta Type watch, featuring what he refers to as the PAN-GMT system, designed to effectively address these timekeeping challenges.
“The Delta Type is the technical foundation on which the brand is built,” Mr. Krishnan stated in a recent interview with WatchPro. The watch was officially launched at Mumbai Watch Week in January and is now available for purchase, with initial shipments expected in August.
At its core, the timepiece is powered by Sellita’s SW-330 automatic GMT movement, enhanced by a unique additional module that facilitates the display of multiple time zones through an intricate arrangement of interlinked hands. Due to the complexity of its function, Ardra Labs has provided a video demonstration to elucidate the design.
Unlike conventional GMT watches, The Delta Type can show the time for any two locations worldwide, accommodating regions with 30- or 45-minute offsets. Retailing at $2,450, this limited edition watch will see only 300 units produced.
Mr. Krishnan draws inspiration from renowned independent watchmakers like Akrivia, F.P. Journe, and De Bethune. The watch’s aesthetics are also influenced by Indian architecture, reflected in its hour markers and the engraving on its oscillating weight.
Encased in a 39mm stainless steel frame that provides water resistance up to 100 meters, the watch features a bi-directional bezel displaying 24-hour segments and is presented on a rubber strap.
