Recently, social media and watch review sites started being flooded with content about a very distinctive watch called the Terra from India-based microbrand Delhi Watch Company (or DWC). The watch was made to celebrate the brand's 5th anniversary and had a carabiner-shaped titanium case that was a big departure from the brand's other models.
The functional design, good build quality, and shockingly low price of roughly $45 USD resonated hugely with the watch collecting community. The initial batch of 1,700 watches sold out in minutes. A second production run of 3,855 followed in the spring of 2026. This sounds like a lot, until you learn that 75,000 people had signed up to try to get one. After customers started receiving them, resale prices reportedly got as high as $500 (over 10x the original price). This created a lot of hype, which led to the wave of interest.
Earlier this month, DWC opened (and filled) pre-orders for a stainless steel version, with a much larger run of 30,000 units. It was available in three finishes (Sandblasted, Vertically Brushed, and Black DLC). I set myself a reminder and tried to order one, only to find that they were not shipping to the US. Luckily, Karthik, a member of the Random Rob Discord group, had one of the original titanium models and was gracious enough to let me borrow it for a review (thanks, Karthik!). I was really excited, because I wanted to see what all the hype was about.
By the way, an automatic version is planned for 2027.
DWC Terra First Impressions
I don't think it's that difficult to design a watch that looks different from all other watches. But to do that in a way that is also functional and aesthetically pleasing is extremely difficult. Doing that at a low price with good build quality is even tougher. Once I had the Terra in my hand, it was clear why demand for it is off the charts. It's one of those watches that feels unbreakable, yet I feel cool wearing it.
DWC Terra Details
The carabiner-inspired case design is the key to the Terra's success. Traditional watch cases are produced through a series of processes, including forging and stamping cycles, followed by precision machining (typically with CNC machines), then polishing and finishing applied by either machines or humans. This process requires expensive molds and machines.
Despite titanium being a more expensive material, DWC completely rethought the design and shape of its case to make the manufacturing process as simple as possible. Production starts with 6mm sheets of cold-rolled Grade 2 titanium. The simple shape is cut from the sheets using water jets and Wire Electrical discharge.
These methods require minimal tooling, and require less time, and fewer, less-expensive machines. A light sandblasting treatment retains the natural texture of the titanium, and minimal internal milling is required to create the mounting surfaces for the movement, crystal, crown, and caseback.
DWC did switch to CNC machining for Stainless Steel versions. The water jet method was difficult to scale up to the 30,000-unit run on more traditional assembly lines. With a larger production run, tooling costs could be amortized across more units, and steel is much easier and less expensive to machine than titanium. DWC still had to raise the price of the CNCed steel models slightly, but precision manufacturing allows the gen-2 Terra to have better water resistance (from 30m to 50m) and offer 3 different finishes.
The unique hooked lug shapes mean that, like the Tudor FXD and Prevail Onward, straps with springbars can't be used. However, a 22mm or smaller pass-through strap will fit. Unlike those other watches, the lugs also have cutouts. This means the watch can use a looped-end strap and can also be hooked through a backpack strap, meaning it's not limited to wrist wear.
The off-white on black dial is simple and functional, sitting below curved Schott glass. Curved glass allowed the case to be thinner, and Schott is less expensive and more shatter-resistant than sapphire, but more scratch-resistant than acrylic, with better transparency than a mineral glass when molded into a domed shape.
Branding on the main dial surface is small and unobtrusive, with a clear minute and hour track, and both 12- and 24-hour scales, plus subtle Terra branding.
The watch brand name hides outside of the minute track along with minute numerals in increments of 5.
Wearing the DWC Terra
The shape is a 32mm wide rectangle with no curvature to the lugs. It isn't an issue on most wrists, as the height is only 44mm, meaning that it will sit flat on top of most wrists.
It's also only 9.6mm thick including the crystal and caseback. The strap adds a bit of thickness, but it's still a slim overall profile.
The push-pull crown is recessed into the case to protect it. As long as you have a bit of a fingernail, it's easy to pull out to adjust using the groove cut into its side. Setting it is quick, since there is no date or date position.
Syringe-style hands with off-white lume fill are easy to read. The tips of the minute hand and (orange) second hand reach to the edge of the markers, making it easy to set the time precisely.
The lume application is not extremely thick, and it's not a very bright formula, but it's still plenty legible (Super-LumiNova is not to be expected in a $45 watch).
DWC Terra Bracelet and Replacement Straps
The included strap is a black 22mm parachute-style elastic strap with a hook closure. It's not my favorite buckle style, but it is quite comfortable and fits well with the tool nature of the watch. That being said, swapping the strap is a quick and easy way to add some style to an otherwise very basic watch. The watch was not shipped to me with it, so I don't have any photos of it. That was fine by me, as I love swapping anyway. You can view and purchase some of my favorites below.
An obvious choice is one of our elastic straps, as they are available in a ton of colors.
The pass-through Ribbed FKM is my favorite strap for this, and gives it a more premium feel. Since the lugs are so secure, I recommend converting it to a single-pass by removing the spring bars securing the second loop.
If you want more people to notice it, swap on a Dessert Warrior.
And the arrows on a Pelotonia strap look very cool on this field watch.
An RTCC strap makes total sense on this rugged watch.
This watch is very popular with the TGN crowd too!
At the end of the article, you can view more photos and purchase straps. You can also view our Guide to Choosing a Watch Strap.
DWC Terra Movement
The Terra runs on a Miyota GL32 Slim quartz movement, which is a sensible choice for a watch trying to hit this price point without cutting corners elsewhere. DWC rates it for an accuracy of -10/+20 seconds a month, and battery life comes in at around 3 years, both pretty standard numbers for an inexpensive quartz caliber. Given how much of the Terra's budget clearly went into the case, crystal, and finish work, keeping the movement simple but from a reliable brand was the right call.
It sits behind a screwed-in 316L stainless steel caseback with a DWC logo and recessed holes for removal.
DWC Terra Conclusion
The brand says, "Our goal has always been to offer incredible value without cutting corners, and we believe we now offer some of the best-built watches at their respective price points, anywhere in the world. I believe they achieved this, and the market agrees, as the Terra has been flying off the proverbial shelves since its release in late 2025.
It will be interesting to see how the brand responds with future releases (and more traditional watches in its catalog). I just hope they can make more of them and distribute them in the US!
DWC Terra Specifications
Name: Delhi Watch Company Terra (Titanium)
MSRP: ~$45 (~₹3,999) - Sold Out
Diameter: 32mm
Height: 44mm
Thickness: 9.6mm
Weight: 44g (with strap)
Lug Width: 22mm (requires a pass-through strap)
Movement: Miyota GL32 Slim Quartz
Battery Life: ~3 years
Water Resistance: 30m
Crystal: Schott glass (double-boxed)
Crown: Push/pull, titanium-coated
Bezel: None
Strap: Black nylon elastic strap