Trust India’s foremost designer, Tarun Tahiliani, to think out of the box and push his métier into newer expressions and works of art that leave you wondering about his creative depths. The master couturier, known for his sensuous drapes and sculpted silhouettes, has shaped the India Modern lexicon of fashion with his contemporary take on myriad Indian crafts, including chikankari, zardozi, threadwork and Kashidakari. These craft traditions now form the pillars of Tarun Tahiliani couture, with a vision of creating pieces that are timeless and enduring.

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Kalpana Rangamani and Tarun Tahiliani at the launch of the collab collection

The artiste recently transformed the traditional runway into an immersive exploration of craftsmanship, technology, and contemporary Indian design for his Bespoke Couture 2026 show where audiences could touch and feel the creations. It was a one-of-a-kind experience that brought alive the many facets of couture—the construction, embroidery, the unique textile development, and finally, the masterpieces. It offered a rare peek into Tahiliani’s nuanced creative processes, alongside a dekko at his latest collaboration with Nebula by Titan—an exclusive collection of luxury timepieces in 18k gold that reimagines Indian artistry through fine watchmaking.

Titled Phool Chadar, the launch event in New Delhi was a serene setting of fresh florals and blooms, recreating a garden of joy and festivity. We asked Tahiliani how he leaned towards watches as a new design canvas, and he says, “Actually, I’ve associated with Tanishq for creating a jewellery line, and Revathi Kant, Chief Design Officer at Titan—someone I have a lot of respect for—said, ‘Now listen, as a parting thing, we just want you to design a few watches for us. I agreed. Because when you do something new, you learn something new.”

A closer look at the collection reveals Tahiliani’s distinctive design language, recognisable in its intricate and craft-forward detailing. The four unique creations—Gulistan, Kyaari, Kalli (in bracelet and leather strap) and Mandala—are inspired by a different facet of India’s visual and craft heritage. Rich with couture influences, they feature sculptural floral forms, intricate jaali patterns, Polki-inspired embellishments, Chandak detailing, and antique-finished gold for that vintage charm, reinterpreted through modern silhouettes. For men, there’s the TT Signature Men's Leather Edition timepiece that translates Tahiliani’s iconic jaali motif onto the 40 mm mother-of-pearl dial, making a refined couture statement paired with an alligator leather strap with Zermatt lining.

So how was this collaboration born? Kalpana Rangamani, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer, Premium & Luxury Watches, Titan, shares, “Nebula is a brand where the pillar we hold dearest is heritage and craftsmanship. We wanted a partner who would bring that alive in the most glam, couture, wedding-ready way. And no one does it better than Tarun Tahiliani.”

The task of creating these masterpieces wasn’t easy, given the dimensions. Speaking about some of his key learnings and challenges in working with watches, Tahiliani shares, “Jewellery can slide up and down and have movement, but with a watch, it has to fit right. Even with bracelets, I like it when it sits tight on the wrist. So, my key learning was that you have to be very conscious of the look and the function. Also, look at how the price of gold has shot up since we started this project. The Nebula team went back and forth, and that’s where a lot of technical expertise comes in handy. It’s a very big collective effort of people who designed these pieces with me and the expertise of the Titan team.”

Among the most exclusive pieces are Gulistan and Kyaari, each limited to 40 pieces. Priced at Rs 24 lakh, the Gulistan is inspired by a flourishing rose garden and features a handcrafted free-swing bracelet in 18K gold. With English-uncut Polki diamonds, delicate granulation and Chandak detailing across the bezel, the watch is complemented by a lustrous champagne mother-of-pearl dial set with 56 brilliant-cut pavé diamonds. It is powered by Nebula’s Titan T9073 in-house slim quartz movement, and the 18K gold exhibition caseback features Tarun Tahiliani’s signature jaali motif. Kyaari, limited to 40 pieces and priced at Rs 19,50,000, derives its form from the sculptural shape of a kada. The uncut polki and intricate rava work and 52 brilliant-cut pavé diamonds on the dial make it a prized jewelled timepiece for an Indian wardrobe.

Rangamani is confident that this collection is meant for women who truly love themselves. “A lot of times with watches, it’s about what others think. But I’ve found myself just running my fingers through the engraving, through the workmanship; it’s very sensorial in that sense. This collection is not meant just for brides. It’s for someone who wants to enjoy wearing a piece crafted with detail and love. And that comes, I think, from a place of great self-love.”

So, while the French maisons Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels have been wooing women around the world with their jewelled timepieces, what took India, with such a rich heritage of jewellery, so long to bring jewelled timepieces? Tahiliani shares, “I think there’s a time for everything. As Indians are spending now, there’ll be more such collaborations. What I do always ends up at the beginning of a big wave, and that’s great.”

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