zOwie Omega Discussion Forum

: It was extraordinarily expensive for its day.

: From the OVD

: La Magique
: Gents' leather strap
: Reference
: BA 191.8523 Z

: International collection
: 1982

: Special series
: Limited but not numbered

: Movement
: Type: Quartz electronic analogic
: Caliber number: 1356/1357
: Cal. 1356, created in 1981, superflat
: Produced only in 643 pieces
: Cal. 1357, created in 1981, superflat
: Produced only in 261 pieces
: Case
: 18K solid yellow gold

: Case back
: Transparent (sapphire)
: Transparent (sapphire)
: Dial
: Transparent disc on the center with “floating ” hands,
: surrounded by a black background with gold hour markers

: Crystal
: Scratch-resistant sapphire

: Bracelet
: Crocodile leather strap

: Water resistance
: No

: More product information
: Swiss ref. = LA 523.1025
: Delicate transparent version (2.6 mm thickness) derived from the
: "Dinosaur" watch style, sapphire crystal and back, 18K
: gold case with bow, hinged support stand on back transforms the
: watch into a tiny table clock.
: International Collection : 1982-1983
: Swiss retail price (1982) : CHF 6’250.-
: Also available in 18K solid yellow gold with 92 diamonds on bezel
: and case lugs (0,41 ct.) and "grain d'orge" 18K solid
: gold chain bracelet (BA 491.8525, CHF 14'800.-) or in 18K
: solid yellow gold with 92 diamonds on bezel and case lugs (0,41
: ct.) and crocodile strap (BA 291.8525, CHF 9'200.- to
: 9'600.- depending on case lugs).JLM
: ************************************************

: To put things in perspective, at the time the Swiss franc (CHF) was
: about CHF 2:US$1. In other words, cut the above prices in half
: and you have the 1981 US dollar price, say a little over US
: $3,000.

: Adjusted for inflation, prices (measured by the US consumer price
: index) have more than doubled since then, so in effect, the
: Swiss franc prices quoted above roughly equal what the US dollar
: prices would be today if watch prices had gone up with the CPI
: (and exchange rates were the same), or about $6,250.

: By the way, exchange rates aren't the same -- in 1983 a Swiss franc
: cost about US$0.51. Today it costs about US$0.93 or about 80%
: more . . . . which would mean this watch would cost way more
: than I would pay, somewhere over US$11,000 (if Omega kept the
: inflation adjusted price the same in terms of Swiss francs)!!!

I always thought that series was pretty cool. I've seen that watch in person and its a truly interesting piece. Ultra thin and
obviously it has 4 layers of sapphire due to the floating hands, I'd love to see the insides. Battery? Must be a little one somewhere in there,
although I have no idea where.................its a fantastic watch that as rare as it is unusual and thanks for posting it Sam.
The backdrop also looks familiar.
jim