Nalla Neram Expands the Kaalam Chronograph with Vaanam and Bhoomi
Sponsored by Nalla Neram
Swiss independent Nalla Neram has brought two additional dial variations of its Kaalam chronograph to Kickstarter, with the Vaanam and Bhoomi featuring indigo and reddish-brown dials, respectively. Based in Neuchâtel and founded by watch collector Krishnamani Raman, the company debuted in 2025 with the Kaalam Minutes Timer, a chronograph combining Swiss mechanical watchmaking with Indian cultural influences. The campaign expands on that original design, which first appeared with black and blue dials.
The Case
The 39mm Kaalam Bhoomi on the wrist.
Nalla Neram
The Kaalam features a 39mm stainless steel case with a rounded bezel, bead-polished flanks, and short, sculpted lugs that curve downward toward the wrist. Its 45mm lug-to-lug measurement keeps the proportions compact, and the expansive dial offers excellent legibility and a strong visual presence. Measuring 12.75mm thick, excluding the domed sapphire crystals, the watch sits comfortably on the wrist thanks to its curved lugs and domed sapphire caseback, contributing to a lightweight feel.
The multifaceted crown is engraved with a chakra, a symbol of cyclical motion in Indian philosophy, and flanked by hand-polished square chronograph pushers. The case, crown, pushers, and dial numerals have received design patents in Switzerland and the European Union, with additional case design patents awarded in China and the United States. The Kaalam also earned a 2026 Red Dot Award for Design Concept. Water resistance is rated to 100 meters.
The Dials
The dial is where the Kaalam departs most from convention, replacing a standard peripheral minute track with two concentric rings displaying all 60 minutes individually. Every third numeral is highlighted in orange, recalling the three-minute billing periods of India's historical long-distance telephone calls.
Polished steel hands indicate the hours and minutes, with orange hands reserved for the chronograph functions. Two recessed counters at 3 and 6 o'clock track elapsed minutes and hours, respectively. A rotating chakra at 9 o'clock serves as the running-seconds indicator, completing one revolution every minute. Super-LumiNova coats the hands and full minute track.
The Vaanam and Bhoomi variations introduce contrasting ivory counters against grained main dials. Vaanam, meaning "sky," features a deep indigo-blue dial inspired by the evening sky. Bhoomi, meaning "earth," adopts a warm, reddish-brown shade reminiscent of soil. Both use a reverse-panda layout, with the ivory counters breaking up the monochromatic appearance of the original Kaalam models.
The Movement
Powering the Kaalam is the Swiss-made La Joux-Perret L112 automatic chronograph movement. Derived from the Valjoux 7750 architecture, the caliber replaces the traditional cam-lever system with a column wheel. It operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, contains 26 jewels, and delivers a 60-hour power reserve, with regulation to a stated accuracy of ±4 seconds per day in five positions. The movement is visible through the sapphire caseback, complete with an openworked black tungsten winding rotor decorated with the chakra motif.
Among independent chronographs in this price range, the Kaalam stands apart for its original design and choice of movement. Its 39mm case, unconventional minute display, and column-wheel La Joux-Perret caliber make an interesting combination, particularly in a segment where vintage-inspired designs and more conventional chronograph movements are common. The Kaalam offers collectors an alternative that is both mechanically compelling and visually distinct from its competition.
In the Box
Each watch comes with a stainless steel mesh bracelet and two quick-release rubber straps, one orange and another matched to the dial. The package includes a Japanese paulownia wood presentation box, a Swiss-made Bergeon watchmaker's loupe, and a suede travel pouch. Each of Nalla Neram’s timepieces also includes a five-year warranty, with servicing carried out in Switzerland and shipping included in both directions.
Price and Availability
The Nalla Neram Kaalam Vaanam and Bhoomi are available through Kickstarter, with limited super-early-backer pricing of CHF 3,600, a 20% reduction from the planned CHF 4,500 retail price. The campaign runs through November 17, 2026, with initial deliveries expected in December. Local taxes and import duties are additional.
For more information, visit Nalla Neram or explore the Vaanam and Bhoomi Kickstarter campaign.
