BWM: Watches that tell more than time – they tell Bangladesh’s story

This is the story of timepieces that tell more than just time – of icons, pride, and the history of Bangladesh.

Four years ago, two brothers, Rafiul and Saiful Islam, set out on a mission born from a lifelong vision. Returning home after long careers abroad, they launched Bangladeshi Watch Maker (BWM) – the country's first wristwatch brand honouring national heroes in a way no one had before.

A glance at the BWM office building in the capital's Dhanmondi 27 (opposite the Bangladesh Eye Hospital) will surely spark curiosity: from the fifth floor of the gleaming Concord Eminence building hang portraits of Bangladesh's national poet Kazi Nazrul Islam and Liberation War heroes – Bir Sreshtho Matiur Rahman and Mohiuddin Jahangir.

The watches stand out not just for their craftsmanship but for their cultural resonance. Bangla letters and numerals adorn the dials, turning each watch into a symbol of heritage – timepieces that carry national identity as proudly as they keep time.

To date, BWM has released four models: Nazrul, Matiur, and two more from the Freedom Series. The Nazrul is priced at Tk85,000, while the Freedom and Matiur models are Tk71,000 each. Naturally, one might wonder – why choose a local brand when foreign watches are available at similar prices?

The founders' answer is simple: BWM is more than a watch – it is a statement of Bangladesh's identity. Each piece reflects meticulous research, careful craftsmanship, and innovative design, blending tradition with modern horology.

Customers seem to agree. Mahin M Rahman, a Freedom Series buyer, wrote on BWM's Facebook page: "Beautiful piece. The parts are strong and sturdy. The coin bezel is nice, and the size is perfect for my 7.25-inch wrist. The skeleton back shows the nice movement inside."

From New York to Bangladesh: How it all began

The brothers' love for watches began in childhood, inspired by their father, who never went out without one. As their own collections grew, one question persisted: why had no one made a wristwatch in Bangladesh? In a market dominated by foreign brands, that unanswered 'why' became their driving force.

The journey from inspiration to action took time. During the Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, Rafiul Islam got the break he needed and began experimenting with watchmaking, dismantling piece after piece – many beyond repair. Those failed attempts became his training ground, turning a childhood habit of pulling apart gadgets into a school of horology.

Living in New York at that time, Rafiul immersed himself in a community of experienced watchmakers, books, and YouTube tutorials. Months of hands-on learning honed his skills. The turning point came when one prototype ran flawlessly for nearly a year, giving him the confidence to believe a Bangladeshi watch brand was possible.

By 2021, the brothers formally registered Bangladeshi Watch Maker in Jamalpur, and their first model, Nazrul, was born. They knew passion alone wouldn't suffice – it required patience, persistence, and faith. Funding was never a hurdle; Rafiul's 13 years in law and Saiful's established career as a doctor allowed them to pursue their vision without financial strain.

'Changing mindset was the biggest challenge'

For BWM, the toughest hurdle wasn't technology or capital – it was people's mindset. Foreign brands have long dominated the country's watch market, and their dazzling collections greet shoppers in every store.

"Convincing people that something made in Bangladesh can be good and worthy – that's harder than anything else," Rafiul told TBS.

Against this backdrop, the brothers launched their first model, Nazrul, producing 100 limited-edition watches in 2024 to mark the centenary of Kazi Nazrul Islam's Bhangar Gaan. Bhangar Gaan (literally "Songs of Ruin") is a collection of poems and songs written during the 1920s that express rebellion, resistance, and social justice.

Carrying the watches, custom boxes, and a polished brochure, the brothers personally approached major dealers, and it soon became clear to them that success required not just business acumen but also changing deeply rooted perceptions.

Determined to prove their watches internationally, they took one to a prestigious New York auction house, where centuries-old masterpieces are sold to collectors. Their goal: to see if a Bangladeshi-made watch could command value. To their surprise, it sold within minutes – igniting confidence that a homegrown brand could indeed claim its place in the global market.

Wooden watch boxes crafted by artisans with disabilities

A common misconception the founders face is that a watch must be entirely made locally to be "real." In fact, very few watchmakers worldwide produce 100% of their parts in-house.

"People in Bangladesh often mention Rolex," says Rafiul. "It started in England in 1905 and moved to Switzerland after the war. Until the 1990s, most of their parts came from China and Japan."

Watchmaking, the brothers explain, is a global collaboration: a single timepiece has thousands of tiny components, often specialised by different manufacturers. BWM follows this model – while many parts are imported, local artisans produce select components.

"All our watches are automatic," Rafiul adds. "No batteries – wrist movement powers the rotor inside, keeping the watch running. For the Nazrul model, we sourced high-quality movements from Japan, each costing around Tk40,000."

Now, the company is moving toward greater self-reliance, producing more parts in-house, as seen in the Matiur model. With factories in Dhaka's Rampura and Jamalpur, BWM employs about 40 people, blending freelancers and permanent staff to maximise local craftsmanship.

Founder Rafiul oversees production personally. Every model is limited edition: Nazrul capped at 100 pieces, others at 50, never reproduced beyond that. He also trains new artisans, passing the craft forward.

A particularly meaningful aspect is the wooden watch boxes, handcrafted by artisans with physical disabilities – a tribute to Kazi Nazrul Islam, who lost his voice at 43. Rafiul trained these artisans for nearly a year before entrusting them with this delicate, symbolic work.

Not just a watch but an heirloom

For BWM, a watch is more than mechanical parts – it preserves memories. The founders lost their father to cancer, and the watch he wore in his final days became a treasured keepsake. When it stopped working, a New York store declared it beyond repair. That moment inspired Rafiul: crafting a watch by hand could keep a memory alive. From that pain grew an unshakable dedication to watchmaking.

From the start, their goal has been to create timepieces that endure across generations. To them, a watch is not just for telling time – it is an heirloom.

Customer response has been overwhelmingly positive. "People are thrilled this is finally possible in Bangladesh. Collectors at home and abroad proudly add BWM watches to their collections," says Rafiul.

Trust goes both ways: "Anyone who has bought from us even once gets to see our new models before they hit the market," Rafiul adds proudly. 

Why buy a Bangladeshi watch?

Why choose a locally-made watch when buyers can get foreign brands at similar costs? To that, the founders say – BWM isn't just a brand – it's a symbol of Bangladesh.

Take the clasp design, for example, which features a rifle. "That is the .303 rifle, the weapon most widely used during our Liberation War," explains Rafiul. "The seven ribbon colours from the medals awarded to the seven Bir Shreshthas are also incorporated into the dial."

Symbolism runs deeper in the Matiur model. "The sunglasses, pilot's hat, and aircraft associated with Bir Shreshtha Matiur Rahman are represented at the 12, 3, and 9 o'clock positions," says Rafiul. "We even researched the weather on 20 August 1971—the day he was martyred. It took nearly two months to confirm that the skies over Pakistan were cloudy, so the dial reflects that shade. Bengali inscriptions and other subtle details are also built into the design."

From concept to finished watch, production takes at least a year; the Nazrul model took nearly two and a half. Two more models are in development.

On pricing, Rafiul is firm: "If we lower the price, we cannot maintain the same standard. I will never compromise on quality just to make it cheaper. These watches carry Bangladesh's name and must meet international standards, and their long-term durability and value are non-negotiable."

Watches that run without batteries

BWM's timepieces are fully automatic, powered by the natural movement of the wearer's wrist. Left unworn for a few days, the watch may stop, but resetting it is simple. It can also be manually wound 20–30 times, but no more.

Daily care is essential: keep it dry, turn the crown gently while adjusting time, and never rotate the hands backwards. Avoid manual changes after 9pm, when the date-change mechanism is active, to prevent damage.

Each watch comes with a Limited Edition tag and a metal warranty card. They can be purchased at the Dhanmondi store or online, with credit card payment allowing international buyers.

BWM's Dhanmondi store also serves as an experimental hub, blending fine watchmaking with cultural experiences. Every handcrafted watch bears his engraved name, proudly "Made in Bangladesh" – a creation that may one day leave its mark on the world.