The Story Of Gandhi's Stolen Zenith Watch

As early as 1901, Zenith, a brand known for making exceptionally accurate timepieces, made its way to India.

Jawaharlal Nehru, India’s Prime Minister from 1947 to 1964, gifted a Zenith pocket watch to Mahatma Gandhi.

Gandhi cherished the silver pocket watch as one of his very few possessions, using its alarm function to mark his prayer times.

Sadly, it was stolen during a train journey to Kanpur, but the thief, overwhelmed by guilt, returned it six months later, seeking forgiveness.

Gandiji wrote “…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 ₹ 80/-. It was a Zenith watch.”

But really, how special was the watch to him?

The answer lies in the book “Freedom at Midnight” by Dominique Lapierre and Larry Collins, recounting Gandhi’s first meeting with The last Viceroy of India, Lord Louis Mountbatten.

The book says that Gandhiji looked unhappy. Viceroy asked him if anything was bothering Gandhi to which he replied, “They stole it. Someone in my railway compartment coming down to Delhi stole the watch.’’

As Gandhiji spoke of the incident, tears shone in his eyes, prompting Mountbatten to understand that it wasn’t merely about the 8 shilling watch; it was the loss of faith that deeply affected him.

Not long before his passing, Gandhi bequeathed his iconic watch to his assistant, Abha. Later, private collectors acquired it.

In 2009, during an auction in New York featuring Gandhi’s belongings, including his renowned round spectacles, a bowl, a dish, and a pair of leather sandals, these items fetched a record-breaking sum of 2 million dollars.

The winning bidder, an Indian billionaire, repatriated the items to India.

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