Watling's 124-run knock was studded with 13 boundaries.
Brendon McCullum and Watling reached the all-time highest sixth-wicket partnership record of 352 runs in the second over after tea.
McCullum and Watling broke the 351-run stand between Mahela Jayawardene and Prasanna Jayawardene that was made against India in Ahmedabad in November 2009.
Nothing went in India's favour in the second session of the day. Indian captain MS Dhoni tried bowling with Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli but that didn't succeed either.
McCullum reached his double ton shortly after Watling scored a well deserved century to thwart India's push for a series-levelling win.
McCullum and Watling took the total past 400 and have combined for more than 300 runs since shortly after lunch on the third day when their side was in desperate trouble at 94/5.
They have already passed New Zealand's highest sixth-wicket partnership against India and are within sight of the record partnership for any wicket against them. Ross Taylor and Jesse Ryder scored 271 for the fourth wicket at Napier in 2009.
The naturally aggressive McCullum curbed his attacking instincts and battled problems with his shoulder and troublesome back in taking his side to a six-run lead at stumps on Sunday.
New Zealand resumed at 252/5 with McCullum on 114 and Watling on 52 and faced very little penetration from the Indian attack on a wicket that has flattened out.
The New Zealand pair scored 56 runs in 13 overs in the first hour of play, before McCullum passed 150 when he hammered his 18th boundary off pacer Zaheer Khan to the cover fence and raised his arms to generous applause from the small crowd.
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