{
  "id": 1404860,
  "title": "HMT launches spl edition watches, draws 2.5-km-long queue in B’luru",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/17/hmt-launches-spl-edition-watches-draws-2-5-km-long-queue-in-bluru",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-17T02:54:20.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Hindustan Times",
    "slug": "hindustan-times",
    "url": "https://www.hindustantimes.com/india-news/hmt-launches-spl-edition-watches-draws-2-5-km-long-queue-in-bluru-101786907669641.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Bengaluru witnessed a massive demand for special-edition HMT watches on the occasion of Independence Day, resulting in a 2.5-kilometer-long queue of eager customers. The Hindustan Machine Tools (HMT) brand, deeply cherished by Indians, especially Kannadigas, saw an overwhelming response to the limited-edition watches released to mark the 80th anniversary of the country's freedom.\n\nUnion Minister for Heavy Industries and Steel, H.D. Kumaraswamy, who is working to revitalize the HMT factory, expressed his astonishment at the strong public demand for the watches. Mr. Kumaraswamy remarked, \"The sight of people standing in a queue for nearly two kilometres to buy HMT watches shows how deeply the popularity and legacy of the HMT brand remain rooted in the hearts of people.\"\n\nHMT Chairman and Managing Director, Ramesh, revealed that the company had launched the special watches series on the Independence Day, featuring the Tricolour and the Gandaberunda emblem. These watches were completely sold out within a day, with customers lining up outside the HMT factory outlet at Jalahalli and the HMT Bhavan outlet near Mekhri Circle. The Chairman announced that more watches will be manufactured and released by the end of next month, and high-quality automatic watches will also be available for purchase.\n\nThe special edition watches sold out at three HMT outlets in Bengaluru. Kumaraswamy, expressing his delight at the queues, stated, \"We all grew up seeing HMT watches. I am amazed to see that people continue to have such strong affection for these watches even today. Under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, I am working to revive this factory.\"",
  "summary": "Bengaluru: A 2",
  "key_points": [
    "2.5-km-long queue formed for HMT special edition watches in Bengaluru",
    "HMT brand holds deep affection for Indians, especially Kannadigas",
    "Special watches sold out within a day, more to be released"
  ],
  "editors_take": "The strong public demand for HMT's special-edition watches shows the brand's enduring legacy and popularity, particularly in Karnataka, and may aid efforts to revitalize the HMT factory.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}