Omega Vienna Boutique & Museum Tour

Ornatus-Mundi · 2012-04-07T07:48:05Z

Explore Omega's Vienna boutique, the first with a permanent museum exhibit, showcasing vintage movements like Cal. 321 and Cal. 30mm, alongside landmark watches.

Ornatus-Mundi

WPS member · Omega forum

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Ornatus-Mundi provides an exclusive look at Omega's Vienna boutique, notable for being the brand's first worldwide to incorporate a permanent museum exhibition. This report details the boutique's luxurious design, its watchmaker's bench, and the fascinating display of vintage Omega movements and landmark watches, offering a unique blend of retail and historical appreciation.

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Dear All

last week I was invited for the press presentation of the Omega's first Boutique in Austria, adding to the amazing density of dedicated brand boutiques in Vienna (see my '650 m walk through Vienna's city center' ). The boutique is located adjacent to the St. Stephen's cathedral, in a building that already is home to a Bucherer store and a Patek Philippe boutiques:

The boutique offers more than 400m² luxurious space distributed over two storeys. The first houses entrance and reception...

... whereas the sales area is located in the second floor.

The interior is in line with the existing 270 Omega boutiques worldwide, with marble floors and counters crafted from Anigré wood (American Chestnut). The boutique also features a fully equipped watchmaker's bench.

If you feel a bit tired (or better: overwhelmed) with watches you might want to relax in the boutique's lounge, either seeking spiritual help from St. Stephen's cathedral...

... or imagining a shopping tour with your niece (her name's Nicole, right?):

Being a serious and proud watch manufacture, Omega does not shy away from prominently presenting those who do all the tricky work but are normally hidden from sight: its watchmakers!

For us watch enthusiasts, however, the is something really fascinating hidden in the back: a permanent exhibition of Omega artifacts from the company' museum in Biel.

Amongst the exhibits is a permanent display of vintage Omega movements, including the famous Cal. 19" LOD from 1894, the Cal. 321...

... or specimens of the famous Cal. 30mm, which contributed to Omega's dominance in chronometer contests (produced between 1939 and 1963);

Furthermore, there are changing displays of landmark Omega watches (images kindly supplied by Omega):

Really, one could proudly say: 'Omega - a journey through time'!

Which brings us back to the opening celebrations, which was attended by a very relaxed Rudolf Semrad, president Swatch Group Austria:

Mag.^a Maria Fojtl, Division Manager Omega, Swatch Group Austria (who also did the Omega presentation to me and Oliver in Basel):

and Karin Sailer, Public Relations Omega Austria (thanks for the invite!):

And, as a surprise guest, noted watch expert and author Gisbert L. Brunner, who flew in from Munich more or less accidentally:

We were enjoying ourselves tremendously in many heated, Omega-infused discussions (left in the back is world-famous lifestyle/gadget blogger & Macintosh evangelist 'CyBear', just google him!):

But, as always, each day has its bitter end. All food was eaten, all glasses emptied!

We bid our good-byes to easter bunny...

... and accepted a last Nespresso from the friendly gentleman in the back:

The event was over, and night whisked us away on our own individual and secret endeavours...

Thanks for reading,

Magnus

P.S.: This was my first report entirely shot with a Leica M9 and Leica lenses, a 21mm and a 50mm (except of course for the images provided by Omega). Lightning was (photographically speaking) terrible with hard illumination from a mix of sources (LEDs, halogen, etc.). How do you like it anyway?

Key Points from the Discussion

The Vienna boutique's location in a building with historical character, adjacent to St. Stephen's Cathedral, aligns well with Omega's classic brand image.
The permanent museum exhibition, featuring vintage movements like the Cal. 19" LOD, Cal. 321, and Cal. 30mm, is a significant draw for vintage Omega enthusiasts.
The museum exhibition is a permanent fixture, with the movement collection remaining constant, while the display of historic watches will rotate to align with Omega's marketing focuses.
The presence of a tourbillon-regulator on display, potentially the 'Holy Grail' of Omega, was a highlight for one contributor who had only seen one in person at Omegamania.

The Discussion

harrisans

Apr 7, 2012

Thanks for the fantastic write-up about the Omega Boutique in Vienna and also, the pictures taken using the all-time great machine, Leica. I think, the character of the building matches what Omega is - classic. I really hope, all the Omega Boutiques throughout the world be housed in buildings with character, Edwardian, Victorian or at least Federation and NOT just in any eye-sore building. By having a mini museum, it will attract Omega vintage-watch lovers to visit the boutique. Better still, if

mac_omega

Apr 7, 2012

Hi Magnus, great write-up... a new point of interest to visit while being in Vienna. Are the vintage watches there for a permanent exhibition or only temporarily for the opening of the boutique - do you happen to know? Liebe grüße aus tirol erich

Ornatus-Mundi

Apr 7, 2012

I was quite clear, right? More seriously, the museum exhibition is a permanent installment. I understand that the movement collection will always be there, whereas the historic watches in the showcases will change according to the prevalent special focus of Omegas marketing efforts. The collection btw is put together and document by the headquarters in Biel. Cheers, Magnus

FanFrancisco

Apr 11, 2012

... the vintage exhits look really nice for me. won't miss if happens to visit the place there one day! stefan

Dr No

Apr 11, 2012

. . . with tourbillon-regulator?" My goodness - the Holy Grail of Omega was on display! I've seen but one in the metal, at Omegamania. Thanks very much, Magnus. I hope you'll be stopping by from time to time when the boutique has an interesting item on display. Art

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