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The first thing you'll notice about a Viani watch is the dial: each watchface proudly bears Hindi numerals — a design choice that is both aesthetically striking and historically resonant. It's a subtle but powerful reminder that the very concept of zero — arguably one of the most important discoveries in mathematics — originated in India.
Founded by Indian-American watch designer, DJ, eye doctor, and entrepreneur Sunny Bhathela and crafted in partnership with seasoned Swiss watchmakers, Viani's offerings are unisex and minimalist timepieces that celebrate South Asian identity and ingenuity. They are also the only collection of solar-powered timepieces with Hindi numerals on the global market.
What makes Viani watches tick — literally — is also quite unique. Each Viani watch is solar-powered, harnessing energy from both indoor and outdoor light sources to run sustainably without batteries. A few hours of daylight can keep these timepieces going for months, making them not only statement pieces but eco-conscious everyday accessories. As concerns about sustainability increasingly shape consumer preferences, the brand's light-powered movement offers a thoughtful alternative to cheap electrical and expensive mechanical movements in an industry often criticized for wasteful production.
Viani's East-meets-West ethos found an unexpected ambassador in 2024 when the brand teamed up with professional basketball player DJ Horne. The limited-edition "Raleigh Red" watch, named after Bhathela and Horne's shared hometown in North Carolina, featured a bold red watchface — a striking contrast to the brand's usually understated design language. The collaboration also paid homage to the NC State star guard's jersey number — zero — tying back, again, to the concept of shunya, the Sanskrit word for zero.
Retailing between $300 and $350 (roughly ₹25,000–₹30,000), Viani watches are positioned as accessible luxury — striking a balance between premium quality and cultural resonance. They aren't mass-produced or made for department store display. Instead, Viani sells directly to collectors through its own website, cultivating a niche but global roster of collectors that spans New York creatives, New Delhi entrepreneurs, and London tastemakers, and clearly positioning itself as a case study in what luxury could look like when it's inclusive, sustainable, and intentional in the process.
That focus on cultural narrative is perhaps Viani's greatest strength. In a global market where most brands play it safe, Viani isn't afraid to make you look twice and think. Its Hindi numerals aren't just aesthetic decoration; they're a rebellion against Western standardization — a timely reminder that time, like design, doesn't have to follow just one script.
Follow Viani Watches here.
