 Omega opens boutique in Chennai
 Swiss watch major Omega opened its first, exclusive 'Omega Boutique' in Chennai recently, which is also its first in South India.
Speaking after opening the boutique here, Stephen Urquhart, president of Omega International, said China and India were key markets for the watch major. He was hopeful that the Chennai boutique would do extremely well.
 China has already overtaken Japan and the US to become the No 1 market for the Swiss luxury watch company. India would be among its top five markets in the coming years. "India is an important market for Omega," he said. Omega plans to open three-four similar boutiques next year. In addition, the company would also open its second outlet in Delhi this year.
With a market share of 30 per cent in the Rs 900 crore premium watch segment in India, Omega was the No 1 player in the segment, he said. The premium segment starts at Rs 60,000.
Stephen Urquhart said: "With the increasing popularity of Omega watches in India, it was only imperative that we honour this demand from our distinguished customers and present them with an exclusive access to their favourite watches. Chennai, with its increasing demand of luxury watches was our choice."
He added, "These Omega boutiques offer a centre for information, activity and permanent communication with Chennai's discerning customers."
The exclusive Omega Boutique is located at the lTC Park Sheraton Ltd & Towers. Spread across 500 square feet, the store will be operated in collaboration with The Velvetica, which has first-rate experience in watch retailing. The boutique has been designed in a contemporary, international style with exclusive furniture and display windows.
G Kannan, country manager, Swatch Group India, said, "The opening of this exclusive boutique is an endeavour to strengthen Omega's presence in India. Through this boutique, we aim to bring to the consumers of prestige watches a one-stop shopping destination. We further aim to open four more Omega boutiques by the end of 2006."
On this occasion, Omega launched 'Omegamania', the recently introduced jewellery collection based on Omega's famous symbol - the last letter in the Greek alphabet. The company now introduces an entirely new ladies' watch that takes the same name - and design inspiration - as this classic jewellery.
The new collection was showcased through a glamourous fashion presentation themed, 'Brides of India', at the Dublin in Park Sheraton.
 Suffixing the brand name with 'mania' suggests an almost overzealous passion for Omega, but it is a term that fits perfectly with the outspoken design of the latest ladies' creation from the company's design workshop. The result is a polished 18-carat red or white gold case in the shape of a stylised Omega symbol, the upper surface of which is set with 41 diamonds. To preserve the harmony of this unusual shape, the lacquered calfskin strap, which is available in white, red or black, is neatly attached to the case by pins that fit into a soldered lug at 12 o'clock on one side and in between the feet of the curved horseshoe shape on the other.
Throughout the design of the watch, maximum attention was paid to highlighting the striking case design, which is why the dial - available in white, black or red mother-of-pearl - is the ultimate in simplicity, carrying merely the Omega symbol and name as well as discreet baguette hands. The Omega shape of the case is also accentuated by the truly stunning domed sapphire crystal, which has a very large facet that follows the contours of the case circumference and has anti-reflective treatment on the inside. The ensemble is water resistant to 30 metres/100 feet.
The admirer can certainly be forgiven for thinking that something is missing, since one would normally expect a crown to be located at 3 o'clock for setting the time. This, however, is the detail that perhaps best exemplifies Omega's design remit - the very essence of 'Omegamania'. To avoid disturbing the rounded form of the case in any way, the new collection is fitted with a brand-new quartz Omega movement, the calibre 4000, whose time functions can be corrected using a small, hidden push-button on the side of the case that can be actuated by a special stylus supplied with the watch. This new movement has a battery lifetime of 49 months.
In India, Omegamania will be available at Rs 282,000 for the red gold version, and Rs 318,000 for the white gold.
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