Art of Time, a leading omnichannel and high-end watch retailer, has been able to close its Series B round, raising ₹175 crore in total. The capital infusion is planned in such a way that it will propel the company on the growth curve and increase its retail presence in India, which is currently experiencing a rapid upward growth in the premium market. A team of key investors, comprising Mithun Sacheti, Siddhartha Sacheti, Plutus Wealth Management, and Girish Mathrubootham, led this funding round.

Newly secured capital and strategic position

The additional capital acquired is to be used in various strategic plans that are fundamental to the growth strategies of the company. A large percentage of it will be used to expand the existing network of stores that the company has. Art of Time has 14 boutiques in five cities, and the immediate objective is to consolidate its operations in current and newly developed luxury retail locations within India.

In addition to the physical expansion, the investment will support the opening of CIRCA, an entirely new shop called Bridge to Luxury. The firm intends to invest heavily in the leadership talent, technology, and inventory. This financial support will assist Art of Time to take its next step of growth and establish itself in an already competitive luxury retail market.

With its established purpose, Art of Time strives to provide its customers with a high customer experience, both among those who have been in the business for a long time and those who are new to the sphere of luxurious shopping. It works on a multipurpose omnichannel concept, which successfully combines the old-fashioned charm of the boutique retailing format with innovative, personalized online provision. The company manages a few brands of global watches and has managed to establish itself as a high-end retail store within the luxury watch category.

The move to establish CIRCA is especially strategic. The new idea will focus on the bridge-to-luxury category to appeal to a greater number of watch fans with a more affordable, high-end experience. This relates to the dynamism of the Indian luxury watch industry that is experiencing a steady growth, as more high-net-worth customers are becoming more engaged with the industry, as well as the younger generation of aspirational consumers who are now showing interest in foreign brands.

Planned investment in technology

The technological investment and enlarging the leadership team are the key steps to show the interest of Art of Time in the long-term sustainability and market acquisition. Investment in technology will focus on propelling enhanced customer interaction and facilitating data-oriented retail planning coupled with smooth omnichannel development.

With the high-end retail sector in India increasingly competitive, the approach taken by the company to incorporate both physical and online experiences is considered the way to foster long-term consumer loyalty. As the Series B funding has been achieved successfully, Art of Time is now concentrated on three key pillars, namely the optimization of its current network, the capacity to improve the overall retail experience, and the enhancement of its key relationships with the major watchmakers in the world.

The investment is a significant milestone in the growth process of the company as it seeks to establish itself in the fast-changing luxury industry in India. This concerted action to lead the luxury watch retail revolution with a higher, omnichannel consumer experience is a significant move by Art of Time to win the loyalty of consumers and enhance its grip in the high-end retail market in India.

Conclusion

The ₹175 crore Series B fundraise concluded by Art of Time is a great indicator that investors have placed a lot of confidence in how the luxury watch market in India in the future. With the capital obtained through leaders such as Mithun Sacheti and Girish Mathrubootham, the company is now in a position to be able to fast-track its growth. The capital will be used strategically to grow its 14-boutique network, introduce the bridge-to-luxury concept CIRCA, and advance its technology.