The Legacy of Love Mahtani: Memories Shared by Those Closest to Him
Legacies aren’t built in stone or steel. They live in the hearts of those who carry them forward. For Love Mahtani, Founder of Jewels by Love, that legacy shines brightest in the people whose lives he touched.
Born on 15th August 1953, into a family of jewelry and horological tradition dating back to the 1800s, Love carried both history and vision in equal measure. He was not only a respected expert in watches but also a teacher, a confidant, and a friend to many.
On 6th September 2024, the world lost Love Mahtani. But what he built, and more importantly how he made people feel, continues to live on. His story is retold daily in the memories of those who knew him, and in the spirit his family now carries forward at Jewels by Love.
This year, that spirit has been captured in a very special tribute. The Legacy of Love Edition, created in collaboration with Nomos Glashütte. Released on Love’s birthday, this limited timepiece honours not only the man himself but also the warmth, humility, and connections he shared with so many. You can read more about the story behind this edition in our blog, or if you’d like to experience it up close, explore the Legacy of Love Edition on the product page here.
But to truly understand who Love was, you don’t need to look only at watches. You need to hear the voices of those who knew him best. That’s why we’ve gathered stories and reflections from lifelong friends, to clients who became family. These memories show us that Love’s greatest legacy isn’t measured in hours or minutes, but in relationships.
This blog is an invitation to remember, to celebrate, and to carry forward the story of a man who believed time should always be shared.
A Tribute in Words and Pictures: Memories Shared by Those Closest to Him
After Love left us in 2024, his family and the boutique wanted to create something more than a memorial, they wanted a conversation. An open invitation went out to friends, longtime clients, and colleagues, asking them to share their memories of Love in their own words.
The response was overwhelming. Notes arrived filled with warmth. Photographs captured moments frozen in time. Stories spoke not just of watches, but of kindness, laughter, and the simple joy of being in his company.
What emerged was not a collection of quotes, but a portrait of a man remembered with affection, respect, and gratitude. These are the voices of the people who knew him best, writing about the man who touched their lives in ways far beyond timepieces.
We’ve put a few of those responses here, shared exactly as they came - heartfelt, personal, and deeply moving.
Here Are More Survey Responses
Sangeeta Budhrani
NIECE OF LOVE MAHTANI
- First Meeting: Inu SXM
- Favourite Memory: His stories about life.
- In Her Words: “He was a very educated and intelligent soul!!”
Prax Budhrani
WORKED WITH LOVE
- First Meeting: 1991
- Favourite Memory: His teachings about watches and wine.
- In His Words: “Brilliant mind, living encyclopedia.”
Zeba Rashid
FAMILY FRIEND
- First Meeting: At GW, during college with Roshini.
- Favourite Memory: Visiting St. Martin, where Uncle’s generosity and warmth left a lasting impression.
- In Her Words: “Uncle was such a gentleman, with an old-school charm you rarely see anymore. He also had a rich knowledge of history that made every conversation meaningful.”
Saira Karnani
NIECE OF LOVE MAHTANI
- First Meeting: At birth
- Favourite Memory: Teaching me about fine wines and jewelry, taking me out to eat delicious food, and long talks.
- In Her Words: “Incredibly caring and honorable. Would do anything for the people he loved.”
Roma Mirpuri
COUSIN’S WIFE
- First Meeting: Around 2000
- Favourite Memory: His kind words.
- In Her Words: “Soft, classy, and caring.”
Anita Velasquez Branzanti
EMPLOYEE & FRIEND
- First Meeting: September 15, 1986
- Favourite Memory: His passion as family patriarch, especially in later years.
- In Her Words: “Love was always open to ideas, a great listener, and a true friend. It was my good fortune to know him and Milan.”
Suhel Jagtiani
DJ AT AARTI’S WEDDING
- First Meeting: Spring 2010, New York City
- Favourite Memory: His authentic charisma when we first met.
- In His Words: “A fine individual whose presence you could never forget.”
Lavina Mahibubani
SISTER-IN-LAW
- First Meeting: February 1990
- Favourite Memory: His smile, humbleness, and loving nature.
- In Her Words: “The most humble and loving person, so full of LOVE.”
Amarnath Bhosale
COLLEAGUE
- First Meeting: April 2024, when I joined Love Sir’s company.
- Favourite Memory: Travelling together for his therapy sessions on the French side. During the ride, we listened to old Hindi songs. He loved singing along, and even in sickness, he radiated happiness and strength.
- In His Words: “Mr. Love was an extraordinary and legendary person, a true watch expert. I regret having such little time with him, but those moments remain unforgettable. Hats off to Mr. Love.”
Suraj Jagwani
FAMILY FRIEND
- First Meeting: 30 years ago
- Favourite Memory: Listening to his journey as a competitive athlete in India to his beginnings in St. Maarten while sharing a bottle of wine, of course.
- In His Words: “A very kind and knowledgeable gentleman who respected everyone and treated them with love.”
A Common Thread: What Everyone Felt
What everyone remembered most about Love was the way he treated people. Whether you were an employee, a client, or simply someone he met in passing, he spoke with warmth and gave you his full attention.
He had a gift for turning simple interactions into lasting memories. A shared lunch, a kind word, a lesson disguised as a story. His love for others was not selective; it was constant. That’s why so many describe him not just as a mentor or advisor, but as family.
Love’s legacy is clear: He built trust through sincerity, friendships through generosity, and a feeling of belonging that touched everyone he encountered.
If you’d like to discover more about the way Love shaped client relationships and the watch industry itself, you can read the full story here.
Carrying His Legacy Forward
Every memory shared becomes a thread in the fabric of his legacy. And as long as those memories are told, Love Mahtani lives on not just as a founder, but as a friend, mentor, and timeless presence.
His spirit continues through Jewels by Love, now carried forward by his family with the same values he built it on: sincerity, trust, and genuine connection. For decades, Love wasn’t only a boutique owner, he was a bridge between watch collectors and the world’s most respected maisons. Industry leaders admired him, colleagues respected him, and clients cherished him because he built relationships on more than business. He built them on trust and care.
The Legacy of Love Nomos Edition is a reminder of that bond. Created in collaboration with Nomos Glashütte, it reflects both the respect he earned in the watch industry and the love he inspired in the people around him. More than a timepiece, it’s a symbol of continuity proof that his vision endures, on every wrist that carries his story forward.
