American history doesn't have too many famous love stories that I can recall. At least none that ended up with the creation of a national landmark. Then again, I don't know what the full story behind the Washington Monument! In 1653 the Taj Mahal was completed in India. It took 23 years to make and was designed not for any specific functional purpose, but as a monument to a ruler’s fallen love. It is the story between Mughal Empire ruler Shah Jahan and the love of his life (and third wife) Mumtaz Mahal. She bore him 13 children, and they started "going out" when she was just 14, married at 19. Story has it that although Shah Jahan was allowed, maybe even expected, to take several wives under the then practice of polygamy, he was so taken with Mumtaz Mahal that he shows little interest in other wives besides her. When she died, Shah Jahal was so mournful, that he had the Taj Mahal built for her, where her body was finally placed, 23 years after she died. In tribute to this last memory of love, Angular Momentum releases an artistic watch with a hand painting of Mumtaz Mahal on the front, and Shah Jahan on the back. Each painting is done in verre eglomise enamel in the reverse of a sapphire crystal in traditional Indian artistic form. The watch is about 41mm wide in steel, and has diamonds decorating the bezel and lugs. Inside is a Swiss automatic mechanical movement with a rotating disc to show the time. The Angular Momentum Shah Jahan & Mumtaz Mahal watch will come in a limited edition of just 5 pieces. Likely to be over $30,000.
