Titan Watches has named world chess champion Gukesh Dommaraju as its 'Titan of the Year' and released a special limited-edition timepiece to celebrate his achievement. The Grandmaster X Gukesh Dommaraju Special Edition, limited to 500 pieces, incorporates chess-inspired design elements. Rahul Shukla, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer at Titan Watches, highlighted how Gukesh's journey aligns with the brand's philosophy of innovation and ambition.
Titan Watches unveiled the Grandmaster X Gukesh Dommaraju Special Edition as part of its 'Titan of the Year' initiative, which recognizes Indians who have elevated the country's global presence through excellence. This marks the second edition of the platform, following the first that honored Wing Commander Rakesh Sharma, the first Indian in space. Gukesh Dommaraju, the 19-year-old from Chennai who became the youngest world chess champion at age 18, exemplifies the dedication and bold thinking the brand values.
Rahul Shukla, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer of Titan Watches, explained in an interview that Gukesh's rise mirrors Titan's own history. "If you look at Titan’s journey over the last 41 years, it is characterized by intellectual curiosity and innovation," Shukla said. "Forty years back when the entire market was into mechanicals, we launched quartz and went against the trend of those times. Similarly, [Gukesh] has created global impact as the youngest world champion and has shown audacity in his ambition."
The watch features a dial crafted from tiger eye and black agate stone marquetry, evoking a chessboard's texture. Hour indices represent chess pieces: the Queen at 12, Rook at 9, Bishop at 3, and King at 6, with pawns for others. A red seconds hand includes a Knight counterpoise, Gukesh's favorite piece. The 316L stainless steel case has a rose-gold finish, paired with a calf leather strap and sapphire crystal. The caseback displays a rotor embossed with a Grandmaster Knight motif, signed by Gukesh, and notes his title as the youngest World Chess Champion at 18. Powered by Titan's in-house calibre 7A20 automatic movement with 22 jewels and a 40-hour power reserve, the watch is priced at Rs. 69,995 and comes in packaging with a personal note from Gukesh.
Shukla emphasized the initiative's role in building aspiration and consumer connections. "Just like Titan is taking India to the world stage through excellence in horology and deep design storytelling, we honour people who are doing the same in their own domains," he stated. The limited edition aims to inspire, aligning with Titan's growth in its premium portfolio, which has seen over 20% CAGR and doubled contribution from watches above ₹25,000 in the past year.
