Omega La Magique watch – One of the World’s Great Watches

The Omega La Magique is an almost mythical timepiece whose name permeates certain watch collector circles, but very few will have actually seen one in person. In this short feature, we delve into what makes this piece of horological art so special and sought after.

The legendary Omega La Magique models are up there amongst the thinnest watches ever made. Adorned with an 18k gold case, they are often referred to in watch collector circles as the ‘Phantom Watch’.

Paul, who established Luxurious Magazine®, is fortunate to have one in his watch collection, and having seen it, it is every bit as extraordinary as others who have seen one state.

To give you some idea of the incredible technical build of the La Magique, look at the image below.

Thirty years ago, only 261 of these Omega La Magique watches were made; think about that for a moment: there are around 8 Billion people in the world, and a significant number of them wear watches, and only a minuscule fraction of this number, was able at to claim to have a La Magique on their wrist.

If you are looking for a watch rarity ratio, then this has to be one that sits high up the list.

The La Magique was a pure test of Omega’s craftsmanship, with mystery hands (sapphire discs) – ultra flat (2.6 mm), rectangular, 18K yellow gold gentleman’s quartz mystery wristwatch with transparent dial centre.

The opaque watch face allows you to see through the face with only the floating hands showing; very much a mystery as to how this is done.

Extraordinary technical details make the Omega La Magique one of the slimmest and stylistically most interesting watches ever created. The casing is only 2.6 mm in thickness and is rolled from pure gold ingots.

Instead of having hands, there are two paper-thin revolving sapphire glass discs marked with gold dust. The quartz movement which drives them is placed off-centre. This enables the La Magique watch face to be transparent and the skin or sleeve of the wearer to show through.

Its transparency allows the watch to adapt to blend into what it sits upon, ‘colour-wise’.

Apart from the obvious refined technology contained inside the timepiece, the Omega La Magique is also blessed with a level of craftsmanship almost unmatched today.

Cogwheels have to be fitted to the 0.12 mm sapphire discs. This is something that cannot be done by the best independent horological experts needing a  specialized team at Omega Geneva the daunting take of putting the watch together piece by piece.

There is absolutely no room for error in such a slim watch. The same care is taken with the strap which is stitched by hand and its gold clasp hand-moulded.

Omega La Magique Technical Information

Reference:
BA 191.8523 Z

International collection
1981/1982

Special series:
Limited but not numbered

Omage La Magique Movements:
Type: Quartz electronic analogic
Calibre number: 1356/1357
Cal. 1356, created in 1981, super flat
(Produced only in 643 pieces)
Cal. 1357, created in 1981, super flat
(Produced only in 261 pieces)

Omega La Magique Case:
18K solid yellow gold

Omage La Magique Case back:
Transparent (sapphire)

Omega La Magique Dial:
A transparent disc in the centre with “floating ” hands, surrounded by a black background with gold hour markers

Omega La Magique Crystal:
Scratch-resistant sapphire

Omega La Magique Bracelet:
Crocodile leather strap

Water resistance
No

More Omega La Magique product information, including variations:
Swiss ref. = LA 523.1025

A delicate transparent version (2.6 mm thickness) derived from the “Dinosaur” watch style, sapphire crystal and back, 18K gold case with a bow, and hinged support stand on the back transforms the watch into a tiny table clock.

• International Collection: 1982-1983
• Swiss retail price (1982): CHF 6’250.-

The La Magique is 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).

How many of these are still in existence is anyone’s guess; over time, some would have been lost, many irreparably damaged due to how thin the watch is.

“It is very likely that significantly less than 100 of the original 261 manufactured exist today, which means you’ll be looked upon with envious eyes if you have one.”