Rotoris, an analog watch brand driven by engineering, got $3 million in seed funding this December to create what it calls India’s first truly global watch brand. Backers include Nikhil Kamath, Vivek Anand Oberoi, Venture Catalysts, 100 Unicorns, Tanmay Bhat, and over 30 Indian founders.
Co-founded by Aakash Anand, who grew Bella Vita Organic into India’s biggest fragrance company, serial entrepreneur Prerna Gupta, Anant Narula, and Kunal Kapania, Rotoris is building a premium, direct-to-consumer India brand focused on modern watchmaking. They aim to blend design, mechanics, and global goals.
The money will go towards better manufacturing and assembly, upgrading engineering, a stronger supply chain, new inventory, and the first Rotoris Experience Store. The company will also invest in talent for product, design, and brand. This all supports their aim to grow as a global direct-to-consumer brand from India. These moves show a trend of premium direct-to-consumer brands in India expanding into omnichannel brand building.
Rotoris is launching in January 2026 with five collections: Auriqua, Monarch, Astonia, Arvion, and Manifesta. Each has Swiss-level features like sapphire crystal, automatic and Q-matic™ movements, and 316L surgical-grade stainless steel. Every watch includes a collector’s model symbolizing progress, which supports Rotoris’ brand story in a market led by global companies. Rotoris’ focus signals a move toward high-engineering, high-aspiration consumer brands from India.
Investor Vivek Anand Oberoi sees Rotoris as a mix of Indian ambition and global engineering, while Tanmay Bhat noted the brand’s emotional appeal and vision. Other backers include Varun Alagh (Mamaearth), Gaurav Khatri (Noise), Siddharth Dungarwal (Snitch), Vishesh Khurana (Shiprocket), and Arjun Vaidya (Dr. Vaidya’s), showing confidence in the brand.
The first Rotoris Experience Store will open in New Delhi as a mix of engineering gallery and brand space showcasing craftsmanship. This supports its direct-to-consumer strategy, aligning with trends where brands combine physical presence with digital reach.
As India’s direct-to-consumer industry focuses on premium products and global goals, Rotoris’ seed round is a bet on India-led manufacturing and strong business practices. Rotoris wants to prove that India can build and export luxury on its own terms.
