Omega Seamaster 600*** Ploprof 166.077*** 1972
OMEGA Seamaster 600, Ploprof 166.077 MK1, Venezuela Issue Number '113145'
Serial: 31500714
Circa: 1972
Reference No.: 166.077
CASE: 55x48mm, Monobloc Stainless Steel with Bakelite rotating bi-directional 60min bezel, mineral crystal, bezel unlock red button, screw-down crown
Movement number engraved on the back of the case.
MOVEMENT: Omega Cal. 1002, self-winding mechanical, 20 jewels
DIAL: Blue dial with tritium luminous hour markers, two tone printing of Professional Seamaster 600, date window at 3 o'clock, range luminous “sword” minutes hand.
BRACELET: Omega vintage stainless steel bracelet Ref. 1162
CONDITION REPORT: All original condition with signs of wear. The dial and hands are original with the tritium markers and hands having patinated over time. The bezel is intact and original as well. The case shows signs or wear as well as the bracelet. The original bezel lock pusher has aged, but still functions properly and was kept as is.
The movement was fully overhauled in July 2023.
NOTES: According to the Omega Museum (no archives extract ordered), the present watch was manufactured March 15, 1972 and delivered to Venezuela.
The engraved number on the back '113145' was also observed in same type of engraving on several Speedmasters and a Speedmaster MKII that came out of Venezuela. It is believed to be an issue/stock number potentially from military use via a local retailer, but not enough research is available to confirm.
The Omega Seamaster 600 ‘Ploprof’ was launched for the public in 1970 and retailed in 1971, although its case and design had already been patented in 1967. Although some associate COMEX with Rolex, these divers and also Jacques Cousteau were already working with Omega in the early 1960’s. Following rigorous testing by COMEX while using the Seamaster 300 in the mid-1960’s, Omega developed a screw crown for that model, but the needs for higher depth ratings continued and Omega pushed the boundaries with the Seamaster 600 that featured the first 904L (internal name Acier Uranus) monobloc Stainless Steel case, sapphire crystal, unique screw crown and bezel lock mechanism. Ploprof stands for Plongeur Professionel in French meaning Professional Diver. An appropriate name for its ties with Marseilles based French diving company COMEX, which stands for COmpagnie Maritime d’EXpertises, which used the early Ploprof prototypes on one of its first HYDRA projects. This Ploprof, in its MK1 execution from 1972 and with its rubber diving suit extender, is an iconic part of the rich history of Omega diving tool watches and a legacy that lives on today.
SOLD |