Madras Day 2026: A century-old watch shop ticks on behind Metro Rail barricades
For over seven decades, Zenith Watch Co. on Kutchery Road in Mylapore has been a quiet custodian of time. The shop, which opened its doors in 1954, still stands at the same address, even as Metro Rail construction has redrawn the neighbourhood's pathways into a labyrinth of diversions and blockages. Inside, the walls tell a story of two eras: ornate antique clocks waiting for their owners, and sleek modern wristwatches fresh from the factory.
Mahaboob Pasha, now 58, has spent more than three decades in this family business. He took over the reins in his twenties, soon after completing his M.Com. While he could have chosen a different career, he chose to continue the legacy. 'This is a family business and I cannot leave it,' he says simply. In his early years, he worked alongside the technicians as a repairer. Today, he manages the business while skilled hands handle the delicate work of fixing timepieces.
The shop has always relied on two kinds of customers: old ones who return with heirlooms and memories, and new ones who walk in looking for a reliable watch. Metro Rail work has made both harder. 'New customers find it difficult to notice the shop, while the old ones find it difficult to reach the shop,' Mahaboob explains. The barricades at Luz Corner, on Kutchery Road and Luz Church Road, have created a maze that tests even the most familiar visitors.
Despite these challenges, the business has adapted. Zenith now has a website where customers can track their repairs using bill numbers, and browse through wristwatches, wall clocks, and other timepieces available for sale. But Mahaboob insists that the human touch remains irreplaceable. Hospitality on the other side of the counter, he says, is what keeps old customers loyal.
When asked if smartphones and laptops have diminished the appeal of wristwatches, Mahaboob gives an emphatic 'no'. The wristwatch, he observes, remains firmly on the wrist. To cater to enthusiasts and regular buyers, Zenith stocks a range of non-branded, wallet-friendly wristwatches alongside its repair services. Spare parts are sourced from Mumbai and Delhi when not available locally.
The shop survives, and even thrives, by balancing tradition with technology. It preserves the past while keeping pace with the present. In a city where old landmarks are often lost to urban development, Zenith Watch Co. stands as a testament to resilience. As Madras Day approaches on August 22, this small enterprise exemplifies how old markets endure, even under the shadow of major civic infrastructure works, by holding on to the values that built them.
The Metro Rail will eventually finish, and the barricades will come down. Until then, the clocks inside Zenith will keep ticking, as they have for generations, measuring time with the patience of those who know its true value.
