During the inaugural race weekend of the 2026 Formula 1 season held at Melbourne’s Albert Park Circuit, Kush Maini, the Alpine Academy and Formula 1 Reserve Driver, was spotted wearing the Rotoris Astonia Sports Chronograph in Phantom Black. This marks the first occasion that an Indian watch brand has appeared on the Formula 1 circuit, signaling a significant milestone for the country’s luxury watch industry.
Design and Technology Behind the Rotoris Astonia Sports Chronograph
The timepiece worn by Maini features a 42mm matte black stainless steel case, complemented by a tachymetre bezel and sapphire crystal glass, paired with an FKM rubber strap for durability and comfort. At its core lies Rotoris’s proprietary Q-MATIC technology, which utilizes Seiko’s TMI VK63 meca-quartz movement. This innovative system blends the precision of quartz timekeeping with the sweeping chronograph hand and tactile pushers typical of mechanical chronographs, enhancing both accuracy and user experience.
Rotoris: Inspired by Motorsport and Precision Engineering
Established earlier in 2026, Rotoris launched globally with a focus on crafting watches inspired by motorsport timing and high-precision engineering. The design of the Astonia chronograph reflects these influences closely, exemplifying Rotoris’s dedication to combining aesthetics with technical excellence.
Kush Maini Shares His Connection with Rotoris Timepiece
Reflecting on his experience wearing the Rotoris Astonia Sports Chronograph, Kush Maini expressed a personal bond with the watch:
“I connect with Astonia not just because of the aesthetics but a deeper connection. Time doesn’t define me. I define the time I have. Always moving, always building. I am Kush Maini, and I’m always becoming more.”
– Kush Maini, Alpine Academy and Formula 1 Reserve Driver
Rotoris Leadership Emphasizes Partnership and Brand Vision
Prerna Gupta, Co-Founder and Chief Business Officer of Rotoris, highlighted how Maini embodies the spirit of the brand. She stated:
“When we designed the Astonia, it was born from racing instruments. The tachymetre. The chronograph pushers. The precision of split-second measurement. Seeing it on the wrist of a racing driver at a Formula 1 circuit, at the opening race of the season, is a moment that brings the philosophy full circle. What makes this partnership meaningful is that Kush represents exactly what Rotoris stands for. A decade of discipline, climbing through every tier of motorsport, earning each step forward. For a young Indian watch brand to appear on the Formula 1 grid in its first year, on the wrist of one of India’s most promising racing drivers, signals something larger. It shows that Indian design and engineering can stand confidently on the global stage.”
– Prerna Gupta, Co-Founder & Chief Business Officer, Rotoris
Kush Maini: Rising Talent in Motorsport
Kush Maini is currently an active competitor in the FIA Formula 2 Championship with ART Grand Prix. In addition to being part of the Alpine Academy, he serves as the Test and Reserve Driver for the BWT Alpine Formula One Team and holds a reserve driver position with Mahindra Racing in Formula E. His steady progression through various motorsport categories highlights his growing prestige within the racing community.
Rotoris Founders and Funding Milestones
Rotoris was founded by Aakash Anand, Prerna Gupta, Anant Narula, and Kunal Kapania, blending expertise in design and engineering. Since its official launch in February 2026, the company has successfully raised USD 3 million in seed funding from notable investors including Nikhil Kamath, Vivek Oberoi, Tanmay Bhatt, 100 Unicorns, and Venture Catalysts. The initial release comprised 2,100 numbered watches, available exclusively through invitation-only access, affirming a strategy focused on exclusivity and craftsmanship.
The Significance of Rotoris’s Appearance on the Global Motorsport Stage
Rotoris’s presence on the Formula 1 grid at the beginning of the 2026 season marks a notable advancement for Indian luxury goods in international sports arenas. The collaboration with Kush Maini, a prominent figure rising through the ranks of global motorsport, emphasizes the brand’s commitment to precision, performance, and national pride. This debut is likely to open further opportunities for Indian design and technology to engage with worldwide audiences, reinforcing confidence in homegrown innovation and global competitiveness.
