A GIFT GIVEN BY INDIA’S PRIME MINISTER JAWAHARLAL NEHRU
Mahatma Gandhi and the Zenith Alarm Pocket Watch
Mahatma Gandhi was an Indian lawyer, politician, social activist, and writer who became the leader of the nationalist movement against British rule in India. He was a leader of non-violence who pushed for equal rights and independence, contributing largely to India’s social and political progress throughout the 20th century.
Zenith began selling watches in India right at the turn of the 19th century. India’s Prime Minister from 1947-1964, Jawaharlal Nehru, gifted Ghandi a Zenith pocket watch during this period.
Gandhi’s sandals, bowl, plate, glasses, watch, and letters of authenticity sold at auction for $2,096,000 USD / Credit: Antiquorum
The Zenith pocket alarm watch given to Gandhi was one of the few possessions which he kept throughout his day-to-day life. This watch was stolen from him on a train ride to Kanpur, only to be returned less than a year later after the thief was filled with great remorse. Mahatma Gandhi wrote about this Zenith pocket watch story in his personal journal dated May 28, 1947: “I may add that it had a radium disc… and also a contrivance for alarm. It was a gift to me. The cost then was over 40/-. It was a Zenith watch.” The watch was later gifted to his grandniece, Abha Gandhi, upon his death.
The watch had the movement no. 421357, case No. 49529, dated 1910, and came equipped with an alarm function. It was sold at an Antiquorum auction alongside Gandhi's sandals, bowl, plate, glasses, and letters of authenticity for USD $2,096,000 in 2009.
By : Eric Mulder