Which Watch Did Scarface Wear in the Famous Movie?
Omega La Magique ref. BA 191.8523 Z / Credit: Pandolfini
We often laud watches that were worn in movies, like the many posts of Martin Sheen in Apocalypse Now wearing a Seiko 6105. Well, there’s another iconic movie that features a watch very few are actually aware of, the watch supposedly worn by Al Pacino in the legendary 1983 film, Scarface.
Now, we must first note that the Omega La Magique is only speculated to have been worn in the film as it does not exactly look like the same watch. Nonetheless it is still a very fitting watch and an interesting backstory.
Scarface was a film that was meant to highlight the life of a 1980s Miami cocaine dealer; guns, booze, women…and cocaine, of course. So, to match it, the character needed a suitable timepiece.
An excitable Tony Montana
The Omega La Magique is an equally emblematic 1980s timepiece, perfectly suited for the complex character portrayed by Al Pacino. The Omega La Magique was released in 1982 and featured the analog electronic quartz Omega Caliber 1357. Only 261 of this reference (BA 191.8523 Z) were ever manufactured. A previous version with a Caliber 1356 was produced in larger quantities. The timepiece in the film was an 18k solid yellow gold timepiece, with sapphire crystal, and a gold chain bracelet. While the La Magique is sometimes called the ‘Phantom’ for its transparent dial, the watch in the film also had a similar dial but the case and bracelet are distinctly different. This transparent dial created the effect of the watch’s hands floating over the wearer’s skin, hence the name ‘La Magique’.
Apart from its significant association with the legendary film there was also some horological significance to the timepiece. The Omega Caliber 1357 was an ultra-thin Omega movement, with a case that was only 2.6 mm thick! Omega actually made a lot of thin watches like this in the 1980s, another example is the Omega Dinosaur, which inspired the case shape of the Omega La Magique. There are also some even rarer references of the watch, like the reference 191.8526 B which was rectangular. The Oemga La Magique, however, is one of the top examples of this style, or at least the best remembered for its relation to Scarface.
A stern-faced Tony Montana
The Omega La Magique was available in different versions: one could choose between having 92 diamonds on the bezel, a gold chain bracelet, or a crocodile strap. At about 77 grams of 18k yellow gold, this was not only the tried-and-true 1980s Miami cocaine dealer wrist companion, but also a rare and exceptional vintage watch. One that pushed the boundaries of design and often flies under the radar as a showcase of Omega’s versatility.
In recent auctions/online sales these pieces have generally gone for upwards of $10,000 with some models surpassing $20,000 in price; the high price generally attributed to the watch’s rarity and unique disposition.
By: Eric Mulder