Among the guests: NASA astronaut Charles DukeMichael Schumacher opens the new OMEGA store in Munich
Prestige Swiss watchmaker OMEGA today welcomed a very special guest for the opening of its new store in Munich: OMEGA ambassador and Formula 1 legend Michael Schumacher officially opened the new OMEGA store on Munich's exclusive Maximilianstrasse. Another exceptional personality was among the guests: NASA astronaut Charles Duke, who landed on the moon in the 1970s with Apollo 16. In its stylish two-floor premises, OMEGA presents its entire watch collection and offers watch fans a complete resource on the brand.
The new store in Munich is the ninth exclusive OMEGA store in the world and the second in Germany, after the first store was opened in Hamburg only a few weeks ago on the exclusive Neuer Wall. The six-times Formula 1 world champion arrived in style to open the new store, at the wheel of the unique OMEGA replica lunar rover together with Swatch Group Chairman N. G. Hayek. As the world's most famous driver manoeuvred to park the moon buggy on the pavement, the two star guests were welcomed by OMEGA President Stephen Urquhart and Apollo 16 astronaut Charles Duke, for whom the sight of the vehicle brought memories flooding back.
Schumacher officially opened the store by making a handprint below the official address plaque. As an avid watch fan, he was then eager to enter the store to talk shop with the in-house master watchmaker. He then took a tour of the new store's unique space exhibition with Charles Duke to absorb OMEGA's history in the field of space exploration.
The new OMEGA store at Maximilianstrasse 16 not only offers a comprehensive overview of the brand and its watch models, but also has an in-house master watchmaker who can offer competent service and professional advice. Like all other OMEGA stores worldwide, the new store in Munich will act as a centre for information, service and permanent dialogue with the brand.
The opening of the Munich store is another important event in the brand's 150-year history – a history that has not only marked the face of time but also accompanied man as he crossed new frontiers on the first moon landing. As a tribute to the close relationship between OMEGA and space exploration, the brand presents an exhibition of fascinating items – such as the OMEGA models selected by NASA for the Apollo missions, a spacesuit and a piece of genuine moon rock. The exhibition will be open from 27 November 2003 until 3 January 2004 at the OMEGA store on Maximilianstrasse 16, Monday to Friday 10am – 7pm, Saturday 10am – 6pm.