Omega’s Ploprof simply dazzles
Omega – official timekeeper of the Olympic Games 23 times, and the first and only brand to have been on the moon – is proud of its pioneering spirit. Jacques Cousteau, who is closely associated with Monaco, wore the original Seamaster 600, the so-called “Ploprof” (Plongeurs professionnels), in the 1970s. This unmistakable watch had been created to withstand the crushing pressures endured by divers working deep below the ocean’s surface and it was one of the most rugged, robust and seaworthy divers’ wristwatches ever manufactured.
Continuing their pioneering approach, for Basel 2009 Omega launched a new version of their mythical 1970s Seamaster Ploprof, bringing it totally up-to-date by incorporating 21st century Omega Co-Axial technology (see Note below). The watch is driven by the OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8501 with a free sprung balance. This movement, launched in 2007, took seven years to create, develop and manufacture. Given the advances in technology, Omega has also been able to increase the guaranteed diving depth from the original 600m to 1200m.
“For Only Watch,” says Jean-Claude Monachon, Vice President and Head of Product Development at Omega, “we thought ‘Let’s do something a little bit crazy’, and given Monaco’s links to the sea, we decided to take the new Seamaster Ploprof in stainless steel and create a unique master watch version in red gold with a white dial.” The bi-directional rotating bezel, which is covered with a transparent sapphire ring, is coated in white SuperLumiNova so that in the dark you see a white ring and the numbers appear in negative. The watch also has a matching white rubber strap and comes in an impressive presentation box made of white neoprene.
“Knowing that all the proceeds from the sale of this watch will go to support research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy made this a special challenge. Working the case in steel was difficult enough but in gold there was no alternative but to start with a solid block – the case of this watch was genuinely handcrafted – exactly as they used to be made in the past.”
A watch with a character and presence all of its own, it is very heavy – the case being made of more than 250 grams of gold! The screwed-in crown is located at 9 o’clock under a protective buffer to allow freer wrist movement and prevent any inadvertent manipulation. The clasp is in gold and titanium and to ensure a secure fit, can be finely adjusted to fit all size wrists with 18 different positions.
The time and date adjustments are made by unscrewing the crown to release the protective buffer and then pulling the crown to the appropriate position. The Co-Axial caliber 8501 makes it possible to adjust the hour hand separately to accommodate different time zones or for the changes to daylight saving and back to standard time.
At the 2 o’clock position is the Ploprof’s characteristic bezel-release security pusher in 18k red gold with a white ceramic ring. The Ploprof has an automatic helium escape valve that allows helium atoms to escape during decompression, and is particularly useful for professional divers operating from diving bells.
“I think this is the best product we have ever made for Only Watch,” says Stephen Urquhart, President of Omega, “and it is a real pleasure to have been able to show our support for the Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies in this way.” The watch comes with a certificate and is numbered 1/1 on the dial applied in relief along with the words “Only Watch”.
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Technical specifications
The Seamaster Ploprof 1200m
“Only Watch 2009”, Unique Mast earpiece
| Calibre | Omega Co-Axial calibre 8501 |
| Movement | Self-winding movement in both directions; Co-Axial escapement with 3 levels; Omega free sprung-balance; 2 barrels mounted in series; NIVACHOC; officially certified chronometer; time zone function |
| Finish | Geneva waves in arabesque; blackened screws, barrels and balance wheel; 18k red gold rotor and balance bridge |
| Jewelling | 39 |
| Number of components | 201 |
| Balance | 25,200 vibrations/hour (3.5 Hz) |
| Power reserve | 60 hours |
| Case | 18k red gold brushed case body with polished bevels; bi-directional rotating 18k red gold bezel with blocking system at 2H; 18k red gold bezel covered with a sapphire ring with anti-reflective treatment; through the transparent sapphire ring, white SuperLuminova casts an evocative blue light making the golden numbers and minute scale easily readable; bezel-release security: 18k red gold pusher at 2H with white ceramic ring; automatic helium escape valve at 4H; “He” embossed on varnished white ground protected by transparent lacquer; 4.9mm flat scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with antireflective treatment on both sides; two-piece oriented case-back in 18k red gold:
|
| Dimension | 55*48 mm |
| Thickness | 17.50 mm |
| Crown | At 9H, 18k red gold screw-in crown guarded under 18k red gold crown-protector |
| Water-resistant | 1200m (4000 ft) |
| Dial | Polished lacquered white dial with 18k red gold applied indexes, Ω logo and the number of the Unique Masterpiece 1/1; polished 18k red gold indexes coated with white SuperLumiNova; transferred “Only Watch” inscription at 6 o’clock |
| Hands: 18k red gold hour, minute and seconds, hands coated with white SuperLumiNova | |
| Strap | White rubber strap |
| Clasp | Diving safety clasp in 18k red gold and titanium, black chromed “Ω,”, “Seamaster”, “Professional” and seahorse engraved on cover; adjustable to 18 positions over 22mm and with extra diver extension of 26mm |
| Presentation case | The watch comes in a special white zippered presentation case made of neoprene – the material used in divers’ wetsuits. |
| NOTE | Introduced on an industrial scale by OMEGA in 1999, the Co-Axial escapement was invented by master watchmaker George Daniels in 1969 and refined in the following years. It is a watch’s escapement which provides the regular transmission of energy to the mechanism. Together with the free sprung balance, the Co-Axial Escapement offers optimal stability to a watch’s running rate over long periods and enhances the performance of the timepiece. In addition, due to the reduced sliding friction, the need for oil in this tiny component is virtually eliminated. |
For more information contact:
Ita McCobb
Patrizzi & Co Auctioneers SA
Tel +41 22 318 28 38
e-mail i.mccobb@patrizziauction.com
Audrey Baylac
Association Monégasque contre les Myopathies / Monaco Yacht Show
Tel +377 93 10 41 70
e-mail audrey@monacoyachtshow.mc