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Omega opens boutique in Vienna, world's first with museum!
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):
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!):
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...
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!
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?
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Omega opens boutique in Vienna, world's first with museum!
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 adjacen...
Classic brand-name in a classic building
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 throu...
Are the vintage...
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
"a permanent exhibition of Omega artifacts from the company' museum"
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 ...
thanks for the post, Magnus...
... the vintage exhits look really nice for me. won't miss if happens to visit the place there one day! stefan
"Gold observatory chronometer . . .
. . . 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 di...