I don’t know why but some Indian companies always fascinates me.This is
especially true in case of watches. HMT, Titan are the two big Indian
majors in this field with HMT being backed up by the government and
Titan being nurtured under the umbrella of THE TATAs. It somehow amazes
me how a third company can hold its existence. That is where MAXIMA
comes into picture. In a country like India where majority of consumers
go for cheap unbranded watches if they do buy; rest very large% of
branded watches go for Titan, Timex, etc.;Maxima still carved its niche
in lower strata.
Maxima is a product of PA Group of Industries based in Jungpura, New
Delhi.Maxima watches are manufactured at Dharampur in Solan district of
Himachal Pradesh. Maxima made an impact in Indian market by
strategically placing advertisements understanding the mindset of
Indian consumers.Maxima began with the most memorable commercial of the
watch falling in the pool. They followed later, with the commercial
with an elephant stamping on the watch.
Maxima made a buzz by offering Rs 250/- waterproof watches which were
previously unheard of in India. It was the time when Chinese invasion
was not that much in the country. Nowadays, one can easily find Rs 40/-
water proof Chinese watches at every nook and cranny. Try New Delhi
railway station for example. The vendors actually demonstrate them by
showcasing them in a tub of water. Infact the water tub replaces
showroom glasses. Nice innovative way of demonstration I must admit.
The company has done well by moving from lower segment to lower middle
segment. Nowadays they are offering watches up to Rs 1500.
That said I was in EDM Mall in Ghaziabad.On the top floor I glanced
upon a small outlet of Maxima.I enquired upon Chronograph watches which
I thought would have been in their portfolio. Interestingly the sales
person on my enquiry produced several chronographs in front of me. I
was pleasently surprised by thir range. I shorlisted 2 of them. One was
gold chronograph and the other one was a silver chronograph with a tan
brown croc leather strap. The second caught fancy of both of us(me and
my friend). And I end up buying that piece.
It was the "Shubh Ghari" offer from Maxima at that time which was
giving 20% discount on watches costing more than Rs 1000 and 10%
discount on watches less than 1000.The watch was in the vicinity of Rs
1.5k and after discount it costed me around Rs 1200. Cool. Where else
you can buy a chronograph watch for that moolah.I AM IMPRESSED.
Great going India and great going Maxima.