Wristwatch Trend in India: Analog Revival and Smartwatches Shape Youth Fashion

The wristwatch has returned as a fashion statement in India in 2026. Market research firm Mordor Intelligence estimates the India watch market at USD 4.62 billion this year. It projects growth to USD 7.52 billion by 2031, a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10.23%. Younger, urban buyers are a large part of that growth, and both smart and analog watches are drawing them.

A CAGR is the average yearly growth rate over a period. At 10.23% a year, the market would grow by roughly two-thirds in five years. Two research firms give slightly different numbers, but both point to steady growth driven by changing tastes and rising incomes among Indian consumers.

The market is splitting rather than shifting from one type of watch to another. Smartwatches are the fastest-growing part, helped by affordable models and production incentives, with Maharashtra, Karnataka and Gujarat named as relevant states. Yet analog watches are not fading.

Buyers who want a basic smart device can choose cheap options. Buyers who want craft, design and service are turning to analog and mechanical watches. Research cited in a report on Tata watch brands indicates premium watches are expected to grow faster than mass-market segments. Duty cuts on Swiss watches also improve access and price clarity at the top end.

For young Indians, a watch is more than style. It can be a low-cost accessory, a first gift or a status item, and one shopper may own both a smart band and an analog dial. 6Wresearch lists the rising appeal of fashionable and practical timepieces among youth as a growth factor.

6Wresearch also lists other factors behind its 2026 to 2032 forecast:

Short-term: Buyers face a clear choice now. Entry-level smartwatches compete mainly on price, while analog watches compete on design, service and brand heritage. Students and first-time buyers can find options from a few thousand rupees. Online sellers also gain as shoppers in metropolitan and Tier-II cities buy more watches online, even though offline retail held 77.72% of sales in 2025.

Long-term: The data so far, as of 11 October 2026, show a market that is growing fast and splitting between smart and analog. Both kinds are drawing younger Indian buyers. Hybrid watches that join analog looks with digital features may blur the line between the two groups. The market figures are research-firm estimates and may be revised. Titan has not yet published how its premium push will play out in sales.

Who is affected: Young urban buyers are the main group shaping demand, and shoppers in smaller cities are a growing group for e-commerce watch sales. Brands affected include Titan, Fire-Boltt, Noise and boAt, as well as Casio and Fossil, which sell both kinds of watch. Mordor Intelligence says the smartwatch boom and production incentives support local manufacturing. That points to openings in electronics assembly, product design, retail and after-sales service. Boutique-led selling of premium watches also needs trained staff who can explain craft and movements to customers.

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