Nalla Neram is a Swiss-based watch brand with Indian roots, and its debut Kaalam Minutes Timer is built around an unusual idea: make elapsed minutes the dial’s most distinctive feature. Two outer rings mark all 60 minutes, orange accents pick out every third minute, and a small rotating chakra at 9 o’clock indicates running seconds. It is a mechanical chronograph aimed at timing work and everyday tasks, not a sports watch organized around a tachymeter.
What is Nalla Neram and where did the brand begin?
Nalla Neram is a Swiss-based independent watch brand founded near Neuchâtel by watch enthusiast Krishnamani Raman. Monochrome Watches’ first-look story, published on 12 March 2025, says Raman had worked in multinational companies across different industries before starting the brand. Nalla Neram means “auspicious time” in Tamil, according to the brand and launch coverage.
The company describes its approach as Swiss-made watchmaking shaped by Indian heritage and philosophy. That is the brand’s identity and design intent; it does not mean the Kaalam is manufactured in India. Nalla Neram says it spent two years on design and production before debuting at Time to Watches in Geneva in April 2025. The brand says it returned to the Geneva event in April 2026.
Writing about the launch, Monochrome reviewer Xavier Markl called it “An elaborate, originally-designed chronograph, coming from Switzerland but with Indian roots.”
Recommended Free Tools
#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
How does the Kaalam Minutes Timer’s dial work?
Minutes are the visual focus
The Kaalam displays all 60 minutes on two concentric outer rings. Every third minute is highlighted in orange. The GPHG product description connects those accents to the stated inspiration of Indian trunk calls, when long-distance calls were limited to three minutes. This is a design reference, not a claim about every historical Indian telephone tariff or current calling rules.
On a conventional chronograph, a running-seconds display is often easy to overlook among the elapsed-time counters. The Kaalam instead gives that position to a continuously rotating chakra at 9 o’clock, while its outer rings make the passage of minutes the dial’s defining feature.
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Chronograph indications
- Running seconds: a continuously turning chakra at 9 o’clock.
- Elapsed seconds: the central chronograph hand.
- Elapsed minutes: a subdial at 3 o’clock.
- Elapsed hours: a subdial at 6 o’clock.
The brand presents the watch as a timer for professional work and daily tasks rather than a sports-specific chronograph with a tachymeter. Its distinctive minute rings and seconds display are the main points to assess when comparing it with a more conventional mechanical chronograph.
What are the Kaalam’s specifications?
Nalla Neram’s technical page lists these specifications for Ref. 7077. They are the brand’s published figures, not independently tested performance results.
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
| Specification | Published detail |
|---|---|
| Case | 39 mm diameter; 12.75 mm thick; 45 mm lug-to-lug |
| Case material | 316L stainless steel |
| Lug width | 18 mm |
| Water resistance | 100 m / 330 ft |
| Crystals | Domed sapphire front and caseback, with anti-reflective coating |
| Movement | Swiss-made automatic self-winding column-wheel chronograph; Nalla Neram identifies it as LJP |
| Movement detail | 26 jewels; 60-hour power reserve |
Monochrome’s launch coverage names the movement as the La Joux-Perret L112, while the official technical page uses the LJP designation. The 39 mm diameter and 45 mm lug-to-lug provide concrete starting points for judging fit, but they do not establish how the watch will feel on a particular wrist.
What does the Kaalam cost, and what comes with it?
The current official product page lists the Dark Blue Sky Panda Ref. 7080 at CHF 4,500, excluding local import taxes and duties. Its package includes a stainless-steel mesh bracelet, two rubber straps, spring bars, a spring-bar tool and a loupe.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
GPHG separately lists Ref. 7078 at CHF 4,500 including VAT and gives its launch date as September 2025. These listings concern different references and have different tax treatments, so the prices should not be read as directly equivalent.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Where can you buy the Nalla Neram Kaalam?
Nalla Neram’s homepage says its watches are made in small numbers and sold only through its own website, where a current product listing is available. The brand does not state a stock count or delivery window in the cited listing. Because the Ref. 7080 price excludes local import taxes and duties, buyers should check the applicable charges for their destination before ordering.
Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchWindows Errors? Fix Them Before They Spread
Repair common Windows errors and clear accumulated junk for a smoother, more stable PC - no reinstall needed.Free scan · no reinstallBest Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
What should you consider before comparing it with other chronographs?
The Kaalam is most useful to compare on its documented design and specification choices rather than on unreported test results:
- Fit: compare the 39 mm case diameter and 45 mm lug-to-lug with a watch you already wear.
- Readability: decide whether the paired minute rings and orange three-minute marks suit the way you want to time tasks.
- Display style: consider whether the rotating chakra at 9 o’clock appeals more than a conventional running-seconds hand or subdial.
- Movement and reserve: the brand lists an automatic column-wheel chronograph with a 60-hour power reserve.
- Included accessories: the current Ref. 7080 listing includes a mesh bracelet, two rubber straps and a spring-bar tool, so strap changes do not require buying those items separately.
Nalla Neram says its designs are patented in Switzerland and the European Union on its technical page; its history page also mentions the United States. Those are the brand’s statements, not an independent assessment of patent scope or current status.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
