Indian watch brand Rotoris has made a notable debut on the Formula 1 grid, marking a milestone moment for the country’s watchmaking industry. During the opening race weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit, Alpine Academy and Formula 1 Reserve Driver Kush Maini was spotted in the paddock wearing the Rotoris Astonia Sports Chronograph in Phantom Black.
This appearance marks the first time an Indian watch brand has been seen on the Formula 1 grid. The Astonia Sports Chronograph features a 42mm matte black stainless steel case, tachymeter bezel, sapphire crystal glass, and an FKM rubber strap designed for durability and performance.
The watch is powered by Rotoris’ proprietary Q-MATIC technology, built on Seiko’s TMI VK63 meca-quartz movement. This hybrid system blends the precision of quartz timekeeping with the mechanical feel of a chronograph, including a smooth sweeping seconds hand and tactile pushers typically associated with traditional mechanical watches.
Launched globally earlier in 2026, Rotoris draws significant inspiration from motorsport timing instruments and precision engineering, which heavily influenced the design language of the Astonia chronograph.
Speaking about the experience, Kush Maini said he feels a strong connection with the Astonia watch beyond its design, emphasising the philosophy of defining one’s own time through progress and perseverance.
Prerna Gupta, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Rotoris, noted that the moment represents the brand’s philosophy coming full circle. She highlighted that the Astonia chronograph was designed around racing concepts such as tachymeter timing and split-second measurement, making its appearance on the wrist of a professional racing driver at a Formula 1 circuit especially meaningful.
She also emphasised that Maini’s journey through the ranks of motorsport reflects the brand’s values of discipline, precision, and ambition. For a young Indian watch brand to appear on the Formula 1 grid within its first year signals growing global recognition for Indian design and engineering.
Kush Maini currently competes in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with ART Grand Prix, while also serving as Test and Reserve Driver for the BWT Alpine Formula One Team and reserve driver for Mahindra Racing in Formula E.
Rotoris was founded by Aakash Anand, Prerna Gupta, Anant Narula, and Kunal Kapania. The company recently secured USD 3 million in seed funding from investors including Nikhil Kamath, Vivek Oberoi, Tanmay Bhatt, 100 Unicorns, and Venture Catalysts. The brand launched in February 2026 with 2,100 numbered watches, released through an invitation-only access model.
