The De Ville collection is a combination of the traditional and the futuristic. While designwise it is traditional, its technology called `co-axial escapement' is very modern.

The difference is essentially in the escapement. As Mr Claude Monachon, product development director of Omega says: "Usually, a mechanical watch has lever escapement, the new collection incorporates pioneering technology called co-axial escapement."

While the idea of the coaxial escapement was conceived in 1993, it took some years for the collection itself to be launched. "Long-term accuracy of the watch has been given maximum thrust in the new escapement watches," says Mr Monachon.

He said this is the result of intensive development work in collaboration with renowned British horologist George Daniels. The escapement or the heart of the watches consists of an intermediary wheel, a double co-axial wheel.

In any modern watch escapement energy must be transmitted to the oscillator in both clockwise and anti-clockwise vibrations. In co-axial escapement, the clockwise escapement is done in a way that there is less friction and that goes to improve long-term accuracy of the watch.

While launching the brand in India, Mr Khan said: "I wear it all the time as a habit and this new co-axial escapement collection is the most significant invention in the history of watch-making. The best thing about it is that this collection will last a lifetime." Mr Khan has been a brand ambassador for Omega for three years in a row. Adds Mr Monachon: ``"He endorses Omega's young and dynamic men's collection."

The watch, available in 18-carat yellow gold or stainless steel, resembles classic designs of successful, old Omega models, like the Central Tourbilion, which was launched in 1994. The purity of lines of the fully-polished case is accentuated by the horns, which were inspired by the prestigious models of the 1950s. One particularly striking element reminiscent of the 1950s is the unique metal bracelet.

The yellow gold models are elegantly set off by silvered or dark blue dials, with the steel models in contrast available with black dials. The dials are raised 0.35mm and feature an applied Omega logo.

The different versions of the new De Ville collection with co-axial escapement are: the standard chronometer model, Omega Calibre 2627, with a power reserve indicator at 6 O'clock and small seconds counter at 9'clock, and Omega Calibre 2628, with a central 24-hour scale for reading a second time zone.

Each watch has power reserve of 44 hours and is water-resistant to 100 mt. In India, the watches are priced between Rs 1.25 lakh and Rs 5.50 lakh and are available from leading retailers across the country.