Blast from the past

The history of the original Omega Seamaster Ploprof is well documented elsewhere and anything I try to say on the subject would be pure plagiarism. Suffice to say it is interesting in its own right. The Ploprof used to capture my interest ten years ago when I was just beginning to collect watches. Unfortunately, my attempt to source one in NOS or at least mint condition was not successful and the interest faded with time. Then one morning earlier this year I stumbled upon a photograph of a Ploprof on the Internet. It was in the Basel report of one prominent Rolex collector but my brain was numbed from work at the moment. I didn't realize it was a Basel report. I didn't realize many things initially.

First look... I thought I was looking at a vintage Ploprof in pristine condition.
Second look... Something was wrong. Why was the case to sharp? How could one refurbish a watch this well?
Third look... Something was definitely wrong. Why orange and not red?

I believe five seconds had passed so far. I shifted to get a better look at the photograph. Only then did I realize the date window was not at three o'clock and the writing did not say 600m! My heart was set. I knew I had to get the watch regardless of the price. The only thing capable of discouraging me was the size of the watch. The next image in my head was my dwindling bank account passbook. No watch launch has given me this much excitement since that of JLC Reverso Grande Sun Moon in 2006.

Enough rambling I guess. Let's continue on to the real show. Sorry about the yellowish tint from the wallpaper, by the way. I was in such a rush I did not have the time to set up a proper light box.


The signature orange anodized bezel security release button


Case finishing is excellent. Very fine brushed finish on the side and polished finish on the beveled edges.


The orange anodized minute hand is as striking as the bezel release button. It floats nicely across the black lacquered dial which does not cause irritable reflections at all.


I can't say this is the crown tube because it is not. The tube is inside and only a bit smaller.


The thick mesh bracelet is proportionate to the case if not to the combined thickness of the case and the bezel.


The clasp is a bit too thick for a desk job. It promises to be a scratch magnet. The brushed finish is fascinating, though.


And here's the gimmick. The micro adjustment comes in very handy. I had to use it myself for perfect fit.


I understand that the caseback is of a two-piece design. The ring you see is screwed down on top of another piece of metal. How the latter is held escapes me.


Another good look at the star of the show. I really like watches with vintage look.


And its haunting blue glow from white luminova


The Ploprof on my 6.5" wrist.


I couldn't have pulled it off had my wrist been a bit smaller. The crystal has coating on both sides but I fail to detect the usual bluish/purplish tint under any angle. The clasp is very long but quite comfortable to wear. I have to be very careful when inserting my left hand into a drawer or similar small spaces. If you can wear a 44mm Panerai Luminor, you can wear this watch. The dimensions of the two watches do not differ much. Goes well with jeans. You can wear it all day without discomfort. But you'd feel sudden lightness when you take the watch off the wrist.

And for the purpose of comparison...

With the Omega Seamaster Professional 300M


And the other members of the desktop diver team


From left to right...
Panerai Luminor 176 300M (108 grams)
IWC GST Aquatimer 2000M (167 grams)
Omega Seamaster Professional 300M (152 grams)
Omega Seamaster Professional PloPlof 1200M (266 grams)

Watches weighed with the actual number of links worn. Throw in another Ploprof and we'd have one kilogram of metal here.

I was careful not to forget the lume shot.


This new watch was a good excuse for a short excursion to the beach with the primary objective of getting away from the usual scenery and the secondary objective of taking pics of the Ploprof a bit closer to the environment for which it is intended.

The destination? Hua Hin...a resort town some 250 kilometers south of Bangkok. A trip takes about two hours provided that the traffic is favourable and the speed limit is observed. I've had taken this route probably more than forty times in my life so it doesn't matter if I do it day or night.


Then to the beach! Notice the reflection in the water.




I wish there were more usable shots but the waves tried many times to claim the watch. It was not feasible to bring the camera any nearer to the salty water so no more beach pic. But I have two more from the pool, though. Unnecessary nudity is sensibly obscured for your uninterrupted viewing pleasure.


Do I have to tell you I'm still mesmerized by this latest addition to my collection? ;)


Contrary to the belief you may hold, any bit of sand trapped in the mesh bracelet came off in one quick shake of the watch in water, much to my surprise.

All beach pics were taken with an obsolete Fuji F50fd point and shoot camera. It's a nice little thing with more manual control possibilities than most P&S in the market at the time of my purchase. If you are a DSLR user who is frequently irritated when a point and shoot refuses to cooperate, it may be useful to have a look at this camera's successors whatever they are called.

The 2009 Ploprof certainly is a blast from the past, a legend reborn with modern technology and tooling. The watch is rock solid and carries a persona unlike any other watch I have owned. But it is also unwieldy compared to the majority of watches in the market.

I admit to not really having particular interest the design itself. The reason I bought it is I am excited by watches that look like an original design from [insert number from 3 to maybe 7] decades ago. I like this vintage connection. Kind of makes me feel privileged to own something from the past but in perfect condition like a new old stock. It isn't about price. I don't know how to put it but I believe you can see where I am coming from now.



Accuracy of this sample of Caliber 8500 is -2/day so far. I don't know if it will change over the next few months. If it will, I certainly hope it will be for the faster.