PRICE
€ 18.000
WATCH SCORE
9,5 / 10
KEY FEATURES
Extremely rare prototype
SERVICES INCLUDED
CERTIFICATION REPORT
BLOCKCHAIN CERTIFICATE
APPRAISAL BOOK
EXTRACT OF ARCHIVES
This watch is an extremely rare Seamaster 600 Ploprof prototype.
It is in perfect condition and its parts are fully conform, as far as we can speak about conformity for a prototype (for instance, the dial is not a prototype dial but a later version, meaning that different parts may have been used by Omega for these “tests” watches, which is totally normal).
According to Omega’s extract of the archives, this watch was produced in circa 1970 and assembled internally by their R&D department to be tested by professional divers or most probably internally by Omega. The movement number, 00.002.xxx is clearly visible on the plate. The caliber is in excellent condition, there is no rust nor discoloration. Another specific feature of the prototype movement is the instant date change.
Note the inverted engraving inside the caseback (which is confirmed by the extract of the archives from Omega).
About the model
In 1957, Omega unveiled the Seamaster 300, as part of the Professional trilogy, along with the Railmaster and the Speedmaster. In the first half of the 1960s, a new generation (reference ST 165.024) was born and a few examples were used by the French engineering and deep diving company COMEX (for “Compagnie Maritime d’Expertises”). As professional diving reached ever greater depths, Omega developed in the second half of the 1960s, not one but two ultra-waterproof watches: the Seamaster 600 “Ploprof”(for Plongeur Professionnel”) and the Seamaster 1000.
Both watches are characterized by a thick one-piece case, a blue dial with date, an automatic movement (calibre 1002, then 1012 for the Seamaster 1000) and a crown located on the left side. As they were destined to professional divers, several test were conducted, with feedback and improvements, leading to a lot of prototypes and variations.
The present Ploprof is one of these prototypes, characterized mainly by a pre-production dial and a prototype movement (calibre 1000) serial number, starting with 000.
The production Ploprof was equipped with the caliber 1002, but some prototypes had a different caliber: 1000 or 1001. These three calibers belong to the same family. They are automatic and have a date function, but they differ as follows:
– Calibre 1000: 17 jewels,
– Calibre 1001: 20 jewels, chronometer,
– Calibre 1002: 20 jewels.
