If you believe that all your watch has to do is get you to work before the boss, you are way behind the times. With international brands bringing the best of the world?s luxury watches to town, a timepiece is not just an accessory, it is a statement.

Be satisfied with a humble leather-strap and round dial no more. Throw your credit card statement to the wind and give in to style and splendour. ?All the major international brands have set up offices in Delhi or Mumbai. So both awareness and accessibility have increased, leading to a boom in the watch market,? says Rajiv Chopra, managing director, Prime Watch World.

Here?s strapping on some brands, big and beautiful.

Cartier

• Timekeepers: Exclusive Lines (Camac Street)

• Drool over: Epitome in class. Those in search of a big brand name can?t do much better than Cartier. Check out the new Santos range for men and women

• Cough up: Rs 1,95,000 to Rs 7,61,000 for men and Rs 1,20,000 to Rs 13,90,000 for women

Omega

• Timekeepers: Prime Watch World (City Centre and Forum) and Exclusive Lines

• Drool over: One of the hottest selling brands. Omega is a high precision piece with accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per year. Sport the elite look with solid gold and sapphire. Cindy Crawford is its international face

• Cough up: Anywhere between Rs 50,000 and Rs 6,00,000

Movado

• Timekeepers: Prime Watch World

• Drool over: Handcrafted high-value models. The diamond studded Vizio with solid gold bracelet is the costliest option. Twinkle Khanna is the local star wrist for the brand

• Cough up: Between Rs 40,000 and Rs 6,00,000

Longines

• Timekeepers: Exclusive Lines and Prime Watch World

• Drool over: One of the leaders in elegance. Known for its individuality, the brand has been associated with the likes of Audrey Hepburn and Humphrey Bogart. Now pitched by Billy Zane and locally, Aishwarya Rai

• Cough up: Between Rs 18,500 and Rs 6,00,000

TAG Heuer

• Timekeepers: Exclusive Lines and Prime Watch World

• Drool over: The sporty, funky label in huge demand. With those big dials and broad bands, this is what GenY wants. Formula One drivers like it too, for its sleekness and accuracy. Tiger Woods and Shah Rukh Khan try it on for size as well

• Cough up: Between Rs 27,500 and Rs 4,00,000

Christian Dior

• Timekeepers: Exclusive Lines and Prime Watch World

• Drool over: The ultimate ladies pick. Famous for its sleek styling, dark colours and durability. Just ask the Czech sizzler Yana Gupta

• Cough up: Relatively less, starting Rs 19,000, up to Rs 1,70,000

Rado

• Timekeepers: Ram?s (Metro Plaza), Exclusive Lines and Prime Watch World

• Drool over: Scratch-proof dials, trendy styles. Very hot as a wedding present. Bengali belle Lisa Ray is the face of Rado

• Cough up: An affordable range, from Rs 11,000 to Rs 1,50,000

Tissot

• Time keepers: Prime Watch World

• Drool over: Bright, attractive looks. Said to be very durable due to the high quality steel and leather used

• Cough up: A reasonable Rs 4,000 to Rs 45,000

Swatch

• Timekeeper: Ram?s, Exclusive Lines and Prime Watch World

• Drool over: The emblem of hip and cool. Convention is thrown out the window for this popular youth choice. Also high on durability, with plastic exteriors in vibrant colours

• Cough up: An easy Rs 1,850 to a more formidable Rs 55,000

Esprit

• Timekeepers: Shoppers? Stop, Forum, Exclusive Lines and Prime Watch World

• Drool over: Water-resistant, anti-allergenic materials used for the multi-functional watches which come with built-in chronographs and calendars

• Cough up: An achievable Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000