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拍品專文
Never available to the public, the present timepiece is a tool in its purest form. Designated as a prototype reference for the Seamaster 600, the wristwatch was initially created in a quest for Omega to compete for commercial professional diving contracts of COMEX.
A revolutionary wristwatch, the timepiece responded to the ever expanding requirements of professional divers and required around four years of research and development in order to resist the crushing pressure levels the watch could experience. Nicknamed “Ploprof” for Plongeurs Professionnels, the wristwatch relied on an entirely new method of manufacturing, with an ultra-resistant monocoque case made of solid steel. The use of such cases largely reduced the probability of water entry, now made only possible through the sapphire or the crown.
In order to counter remaining possibilities of water-entry, the crown was positioned at 9 o’clock for the diver’s ease of wear and the screwed square crown was protected by a large square locking nut. With regards to the crystal, Omega preferred the use of mineral crystal secured in an over-compressed gasket, which is then hidden when the rotating bezel is fixed. To prevent mishandling, the watch was crafted with a red special pusher unlocking the bidirectional bezel.
As a result of the above characteristics, the timepiece was not only water-resistant to 600 meters, but was also completely hermetical to helium, which in instances could affect the balance spring and therefore hinder precision. Following intensive tests, the Ploprof proved to be of exceptional robustness and performance.
In 1970, during the Janus operation, the timepiece was worn by three professional diver of Comex and witnessed the new world record for underwater exploration of -253 meters achieved in the Ajaccio gulf of France.
The "PloProf" is described and illustrated in Omega, A Journey Through Time by Marco Richon p. 329- 331 and Omega Saga by Marco Richon, pp. 136 & 137.
A revolutionary wristwatch, the timepiece responded to the ever expanding requirements of professional divers and required around four years of research and development in order to resist the crushing pressure levels the watch could experience. Nicknamed “Ploprof” for Plongeurs Professionnels, the wristwatch relied on an entirely new method of manufacturing, with an ultra-resistant monocoque case made of solid steel. The use of such cases largely reduced the probability of water entry, now made only possible through the sapphire or the crown.
In order to counter remaining possibilities of water-entry, the crown was positioned at 9 o’clock for the diver’s ease of wear and the screwed square crown was protected by a large square locking nut. With regards to the crystal, Omega preferred the use of mineral crystal secured in an over-compressed gasket, which is then hidden when the rotating bezel is fixed. To prevent mishandling, the watch was crafted with a red special pusher unlocking the bidirectional bezel.
As a result of the above characteristics, the timepiece was not only water-resistant to 600 meters, but was also completely hermetical to helium, which in instances could affect the balance spring and therefore hinder precision. Following intensive tests, the Ploprof proved to be of exceptional robustness and performance.
In 1970, during the Janus operation, the timepiece was worn by three professional diver of Comex and witnessed the new world record for underwater exploration of -253 meters achieved in the Ajaccio gulf of France.
The "PloProf" is described and illustrated in Omega, A Journey Through Time by Marco Richon p. 329- 331 and Omega Saga by Marco Richon, pp. 136 & 137.