‘The slimmest watch in the universe,’ declares the promos of the latest unisex Titan model, Edge. At 3.5mm breadth with a movement measuring 1.15 mm wide, the Edge is all set to enter the Guinness Book of World Records. The width of the movement of the Edge equals that of a credit card. An average watch, which measures 6mm to 10mm width with a movement at 3mm, seems grossly ‘fat’ next to this ultra slim model.

Titan has already sold 6,000 pieces, according to P S Bhatt, Divisional manager (R&D), Titan Industries Limited (TIL). The company is aiming to sell 30,000 Edge watches this year, of which 10 per cent will be exported to European and West Asian countries.

Michael Foley, head of the Design Studio at TIL, stated that currently there were 13 models with 400 variants in the market, available in three shapes – round, rectangle and torno. He stated the company aimed to produce 60 to 70 designs annually.

Also in the offing is the introduction of metal bracelets for Edge, which is designed as a mesh to give it more flexibility. The Edge uses imported scratch-proof sapphire glass built to meet the specifications of the model. It is also water resistant up to 30 metres. It is priced between Rs.4,495 and Rs.4,995. Referring to the Swatch Skin model, which was also one of the ‘slim’ watches, Bhatt said this watch was made of plastic and hence had a cheap look. Besides, he added, the movement of the watch and outer case was the same piece and was practically use and throw.

The project, which began in 1998, was a follow-up on a 1993 Titan model the width of which was 1.75mm. TIL has already filed for an Indian patent for the movement of the Edge in 2000. It has also filed to get the design of the watch registered.

Explaining why people bought the Edge given its price range, Horology and Chief Technical Officer B G Dwarakanath said it was because everyone "wants to wear something different". He added that some might even look upon it as a status symbol.