An outstanding and talented icon
Recently Omega celebrated the Seamaster Collection’s 75th Anniversary, when it was given the moniker in 1948, after WWII, with all the experiences they had making watches for Great Britain’s Ministry of Defence’s Air Force and Navy pilots. Their flirtation with the sea goes back to 1932 when they launched their first waterproof watch “Marine”, which was good for 73m. As the decades progressed so did their development in terms of technology and aesthetics. Always trying to create timepieces with the latest technology not only for recreational divers but also for professionals, so the timing devices they rely on are ready to meet all the challenges deep under the seam as we saw the evolution from then until today.
With the advent of science and technology, in 1971 Omega released the Ploprof (short for Plongeur Professionnel). It was created to meet the challenges found in the deep sea and not just look the part; made gargantuan for a gargantuan task. The watch needless to say was rather unconventional in its aesthetics, but the form definitely follows functions.
The basic tonneau body shape is there, but the shape is augmented with two sets of powerful guards or protections if you like, one for the crown and the other for the security pusher, but they have swapped their positions. The crown Is now located at nine o’clock and the security pusher sits vertically along the side of the case between one and two o’clock. It certainly did not wow everyone, but it was favoured by the segments that matter, the professional divers. Slowly but surely a cult following started to grow on the side amongst the watch enthusiasts and Omega fans who were closeted.
Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Seamaster this year Omega unleashed their latest rendition of a specific model from each range of recent times, with a common denominator, they are in various shades of Omega’s Summer Blue, according to their diving talents. Blue was chosen for the anniversary obviously, to reflect its Aquatic association. On the caseback is an engraving of Neptune riding on a chariot drawn by two seahorses, which is the insignia for the Seamaster Collection.
Ploprof was taken out of production a few years ago, and to celebrate the Seamaster’s 75th Anniversary, it has been recalled for duty, it has been brought back with a little update, for one the size, it is 3mm smaller at 45mm at the width, from lugs to lugs it maintains its heft at 55mm. The bezel and the dial have been redesigned to modernise it and varnished blue on the back to reveal the diving scale in light blue. The body is constructed with a monobloc of Omega’s proprietary O-Megasteel making it even more robust than before, framing a varnished gradient dark Summer Blue dial, signifying the depth it can go, with the indexes and hands remaining untouched since seen in the 1971 model, viewed through a chemically reinforced crystal fixed to the case, making helium valve unnecessary as in the original Ploprof, the fluted grip of the bezel has been modified slightly, and no date.
The Anniversary edition is powered by an automatic Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8912. The watch can withstand the pressure underwater up to an incredible 1200m or 4000ft, and yet it is able to fit into a slimmer case with 15.5mm thickness, and that is two mm being shed which is a feat on its own. It comes with a perforated blue rubber strap harking back to the 70s. It may have made its first appearance in 1971, but it is still relevant today. With the help of up-to-date technology, the 75th Anniversary Ploprof stands proud amongst the family members in this anniversary lineup. It is one of the most important icons amongst the diving watches. I, for one, am so glad to see it back in action and with a leaner and toner body.
Omega may not have invented the modern-day diving watch, but let’s say they were close enough, to lend a helping hand towards it. But boy, did they catch up! Seamaster is equally synonymous with diving itself today as the elder brother in the family.
