India’s horology moment: Pranav Saboo joins the GPHG jury

There are few rooms in contemporary horology where a watch is judged merely for telling time. But it was never just about telling time, was it?

At the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), craftsmanship, imagination, technical mastery and cultural relevance converge in one of watchmaking’s most coveted annual celebrations. For its 2026 edition, India has a distinguished voice at the table as Pranav Saboo joins the jury.

“After 17 years of serving the watch industry, this is a deeply special moment for me. It is a privilege to be part of the apex body of watchmaking’s most prestigious institution— and an honour to serve alongside some of the most extraordinary individuals from around the world”, shares Pranav Saboo, Managing Director and CEO of Ethos Limited.

24 experts, one very serious watch conversation

Saboo joins an invitation only panel of 24 international watchmaking experts, collectors, journalists and industry figures entrusted with evaluating the year’s most compelling creations across the GPHG’s prestigious categories. His appointment is also a reflection of how far India’s relationship with fine watchmaking has evolved. The country’s collector community has grown increasingly sophisticated, with mechanical watchmaking moving from niche connoisseurship into a more visible expression of taste, craftsmanship and cultural capital.

The collector is no longer just collecting

For Saboo, the appointment is both a personal honour and a marker of India’s growing presence in global horology. “This is a tremendous honour and a proud moment for me to be a part of a platform as prestigious as the GPHG,” Saboo shared. “Being invited to serve on the jury is both a privilege and a responsibility. At a time when India’s collectors and enthusiasts are becoming an increasingly important part of the global horological community, it is particularly meaningful to see our country represented at this global stage”, he added.

Beyond the dial, into the details

Founded in 2001, the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève has spent more than two decades celebrating the art of contemporary watchmaking. Its jury brings together perspectives from across the industry and the wider world of watches, creating a panel where technical expertise meets the discerning eye of collectors and cultural observers.

For India, Saboo’s inclusion arrives at an interesting moment. A new generation of collectors is looking beyond names and price tags towards provenance, complications, independent craftsmanship and the stories embedded within a timepiece.

At the highest level, a watch is rarely just an object on the wrist. It is engineering, artistry, heritage and human ingenuity, condensed into something that happens to keep time.

From Mumbai to Geneva

Under Saboo’s leadership, Ethos has established itself as one of India’s significant luxury and premium watch retailers. Founded in 2003, the company now operates more than 100 boutiques across 34 cities and represents over 75 premium and luxury watch brands.

Its portfolio has also expanded beyond watches, with the company entering the jewellery space through Messika and bringing German luxury luggage house RIMOWA to India.

Yet the GPHG jury appointment marks a different kind of milestone. It places an Indian perspective within one of the most closely watched conversations in global horology, at a time when the country is becoming increasingly important to the international luxury ecosystem.

The watches may be Swiss, Japanese, German or independent. The conversation, increasingly, is global. And this year, India has a seat at the table!

You may also read: Wildflower Villas, A Forest Estate right next to Anjuna is Goa’s best kept secret