Fawad Khan for India Today Spice cover; Pics and Interview

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The dapper Fawad Khan is effortlessly stylish, but few know that his wife Sadaf is his go-to person for all things fashionable, including watches. He may not have indulged in a large collection of watches just yet, but with an eye on his grandfather's vintage Omega Seamaster 1948, he certainly has a predilection for striking timepieces-something he believes are the equivalent of jewellery for men.

The actor, who made his Bollywood debut as an uptight blue-blooded Rajasthani royal in Khoobsurat, is currently in the midst of shooting his second Bollywood film, Shakun Batra's Kapoor and Sons. In this film, about two brothers vying for the same girl, he plays a much more relaxed character. "Siddharth Malhotra, who plays my brother in the film, is a charming fellow. He, like the rest of the cast, is extremely sweet. I've been very lucky in that sense," says Khan. Shuttling between Mumbai and Coorg for the shoot, he spares some time to talk about his eagerness to invest in the luxurious accessory, how he likes to spend his time and his other passions.

Do you have a penchant for watches?
Watches are a great accessory and if one has the faculty to indulge in such a luxurious accessory, it is definitely worth investing in. Quite frankly, my collection isn't what I'd like it to be as yet. But my wife Sadaf and I have both decided to take the time to pick out some good timepieces for ourselves. Sadaf is the one who styles you. Does she also help you pick out your watches? My wife certainly has a highly developed sense of aesthetics. Yes, she's the one who usually picks out my clothes and she also chose the watch I am wearing. She gifted it to me soon after we got married. That's why I have such a strong emotional attachment to it and I haven't really switched to wearing any other watch.

Do you think watches are like jewellery for men? Do you remember your first watch?
Yes, when you think of jewellery for men, the options are quite limited. We could count on our fingers, really. Rings, brooches, tie-bars, cufflinks, perhaps. As also watches and it could be any kind of watch, be it a pocket watch or a wrist watch. I believe it is essential to have at least one really classy watch as part of your wardrobe. I grew up in a middle class family and I didn't pay much attention to watches. My first was probably a Casio.

Have you ever eyed a watch from your father's collection or received an heirloom?
I've had my eye on something my grandfather owned. It's an old Omega Seamaster 1948 edition. It has stopped working and is lying around at the moment but I'm trying to get it fixed. It's the one that was re-released for the London Olympics. Vintage items have so much more charm.

Does your son enjoy wearing watches?
Well, you know how little boys are. He's not really interesting in telling time or anything. But what's cute is, we've been looking for nice smart watches for him and now he owns a watch or two. Between work and family, how do you prioritise your time? I don't! That's the problem (laughs). It could very well get me into trouble one day.

How do you spend time when you are not shooting?
I try to watch as much as I can, whether it is films or television shows. My latest obsession is the third season of the television show House of Cards. I don't get the big deal about Game of Thrones though. I think they're trying too hard. I watched the first season, I gave it a try, but it's just not my thing. When it comes to films though, I could watch practically anything. As long as the film has a good story to tell, I'll watch it. I'm particularly fond of the cinema of the 1950s.

Are you particular about keeping time?
I only wore a Casio as a child; I think that goes to show how little I cared about watches and time when I was growing up. The reason I never really bothered was that I was always a bit tardy. If you wear a timepiece and are still late it kind of defeats the purpose. I'm able to keep time now only because I have hard taskmasters with me who make sure I'm kept on my toes at all times.

If you could time travel, which decade would you want to travel to and why?
I'd go back to the 1970s. The world was on a bit of a cusp in terms of culture at that time. That's when the world saw a bit of a switch over. The music and movies that came out at the time were very important and very interesting.

Do you ever feel like going back to a particular time in your life?
I'd definitely love to go back to my days at school perhaps. But if I could go back in time and change something, I'd make sure I travelled more with my family. I enjoyed my days as a rockstar too; I was quite the rebel without a cause. But now that I look back, I don't think I want to relive those days (he laughs).

Do you think time is a luxury today?
I don't think time is a luxury. I feel time is money, it's a necessity. It is the only thing that dictates that you keep up with it. It's a precious commodity.

What is your idea of luxury?
Eating well and dressing well is my idea of luxury. It may not show on me, but I'm a real foodie. What I enjoy most is Japanese food, all kinds of sushi and everything else. The best sushi I've had is at Nobu. But to be honest, I'd even eat sushi from a conveyor belt. I've never been to Japan unfortunately, but my wife has and she really vouches for the sushi there.

What are you other indulgences?
Apart from movies and music, I really enjoy writing and I would love to write a script. In fact, in Pakistan I tend to improvise and rewrite my lines quite often. I am not at that stage here in India yet, and I don't change my lines here. Besides, if I were to do that, no one would understand what I'm saying. While filming Khoobsurat, there were words I kept repeating and Shashanka Ghosh (the director) would get irritated. After all, simple everyday words are quite different here.

Photographs by Rohit Chawla