Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde addressed a controversy over a watch she wore, dismissing reports that it was an expensive Rolex and explaining it as a simple birthday gift from her children. She emphasized her disinterest in brands and commitment to public service. The clarification came amid social media speculation.
On February 28, 2026, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde spoke to reporters to clear up speculation about a watch she had been seen wearing. The item had sparked online discussions suggesting it was a high-end Rolex, but Tawde stated that she had no knowledge of its brand initially and that it was merely a birthday present from her children.
"I'm not interested in any brand--whether it's a watch, a saree, or any decorative item. I only know one thing: I want to serve the Mumbaikars. This is a very simple watch. My children gifted it to me on my birthday. I didn't even know what company it was from," Tawde said.
She later inquired with her daughter, who revealed it was a Michael Kors watch valued at around Rs 15,000 to 16,000. "I asked my daughter about the brand of the watch, she told me it is a watch of the brand Michael Kors, but it's just a Rs 15-16-thousand-rupee watch. So I don't know what brand you've been talking about since yesterday," she added.
Tawde's remarks followed a tweet she posted on February 26, 2026, where she directly refuted claims, stating in Marathi that the watch was Michael Kors, not a Rolex Daytona, and that spreading such rumors was irresponsible and an attempt at defamation. She affirmed she would not be intimidated by false accusations.
This episode occurred shortly after Tawde's election as mayor on February 11, 2026, in an uncontested vote for the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). A senior BJP corporator representing Ward 132 in Ghatkopar, Tawde reiterated her focus on duties over material possessions amid the brief public scrutiny.
