Sujain Krishnan is the founder and director of the Melbourne Watch Company, an independent Australian watch brand established in 2013. Before entering the horological industry full-time, Krishnan built a professional background in IT consulting. His transition into watchmaking began as a hobby, during which he operated Melbourne Custom Watches, a small business focused on assembling and selling bespoke, homage-style timepieces for the online enthusiast community.
Driven by a desire to create original designs rather than modified versions of existing brands, Krishnan left his corporate career to launch the Melbourne Watch Company in October 2013. The brand was established with a focus on addressing a perceived gap in the market for affordable, high-quality mechanical dress watches. His debut model, the Flinders, was successfully funded through an Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, raising $30,000 to initiate production.
Under Krishnan’s leadership, the company has utilized crowdfunding for several subsequent releases, including the Hawthorn and Portsea models. His business strategy emphasizes transparency and accessibility, targeting young professionals and watch enthusiasts with timepieces that blend classic aesthetics with modern specifications, such as Miyota movements and sapphire crystals.
In early 2016, Krishnan secured a strategic partnership with a Hong Kong-based manufacturing firm, which took a stake in the business and streamlined production processes. This evolution allowed the brand to open a showroom in Carlton, Melbourne, and transition toward local assembly of imported components. Krishnan remains the creative lead and primary owner of the company, overseeing its commercial strategy and expansion while maintaining a strong presence within the global microbrand community.