PRESS
INFORMATION for Immediate Release
The return of a mythical diver:
The OMEGA Seamaster Ploprof 1200M
In 1970 OMEGA launched a watch which had been created
to withstand the crushing pressures endured by divers working deep below the
ocean’s surface. It was the Seamaster 600, the so-called “Ploprof” (the first
letters of plo ngeurs pro fessionnels – the French words meaning “professional
divers”) and it was one of the most rugged, robust and seaworthy divers’
wristwatches ever manufactured.
The
unmistakable Co-Axial Ploprof
Now OMEGA is introducing an updated version of the classic
and instantly recognizable wristwatch. Equipped with a Co-Axial calibre 8500,
the new Ploprof 1200M is, as its name suggests, water resistant to an astounding
1200 metres (4000 feet) and it artfully combines its ancestor’s legendary
features with OMEGA’s state-of-the-industry Co-Axial technology. The Ploprof’s
case cannot be mistaken for that of any other watch: the screwed-in crown is
located at 9 o’clock under a protective buffer. Its unique positioning allows
freer wrist movement and prevents any inadvertent manipulation.
Designed for divers
The time and date adjustments are made by unscrewing the
crown to release the protective buffer and then pulling the crown to the
appropriate position. The Co-Axial calibre 8500 makes it possible to adjust the
hour hand separately to accommodate different time zones or for the changes to
daylight savings and back to standard time.
At the 2 o’clock position is the Ploprof’s characteristic
bezel-release security pusher with an orange anodised aluminium ring. Pressing
the pusher allows the bezel to be rotated in either direction and then locked
firmly in position, ensuring that it cannot be accidentally shifted during a
dive. The Ploprof has an automatic helium escape valve located on the side of
the case at the 4 o’clock position. This feature allows helium atoms to escape
during decompression, and is particularly useful for professional divers
operating from diving bells.
Two-piece oriented caseback
The casebody is made of brushed stainless steel and has
polished bevels. The centre piece of the two-piece oriented caseback features a
background of straight, parallel waves with a polished OMEGA logo, the word
“Seamaster” and the famous Seahorse on a matt surface. The centre piece is
sealed in place with an outer screw-in ring with black-chromed engraving of
“1200m/4000ft”, “Ploprof”, and “OMEGA 8500 Co-Axial Escapement.”
The Seamaster Ploprof 1200M has a polished, lacquered
black dial with an applied polished OMEGA name and logo. The word “Professional”
has been transferred in white. The polished indexes are coated with white
Super-LumiNova, as are the varnished hour and seconds hands. The oversized
minute hand, which plays such an important role for divers, is crafted from
orange aluminium and is coated with white Super-LumiNova. The Ploprof 1200M has
a date window at the 4:30 position.
On your wrist; on your wetsuit
The Ploprof 1200M is available either with a brushed mesh
"Sharkproof" bracelet or on a rubber strap in a choice of black or orange. The
bracelet, with its double extension system, is fitted with OMEGA’s new diving
safety clasp whose pinned links allow precise adjustments to 18 positions. It
also features an extra divers’ extension to 26 mm so that the watch can be worn
comfortably over a diving suit.
The watch is delivered in a special black zippered
presentation case made of neoprene – the material used in divers’ wetsuits.
Respecting the past, defining the future
The OMEGA Co-Axial Ploprof 1200M bears a strong
resemblance to its famous ancestor and it carries on the traditions of robust
reliability and water resistance which have always defined OMEGA’s divers’
watches. But there are also some remarkable improvements: for example, the watch
is driven by the OMEGA Co-Axial calibre 8500 with a free sprung balance. This
movement, launched in 2007, was created from inception by OMEGA and is one of
the key elements in the revolution in mechanical watchmaking which has been
taking place at the company since 1999.
With the launch of the Seamaster Ploprof 1200M, OMEGA has
re-introduced a mythical diving watch, combining the look which made it a legend
with cutting-edge watchmaking features. It is sure to be one of the most
welcomed and talked-about releases of 2009.
Powering the Ploprof
The OMEGA Co-Axial
calibre 8500
In 1890 OMEGA produced the first-ever industrialized
movement. 117 years later, the company took a step which was every bit as
dramatic when it launched its revolutionary Co-Axial calibre 8500, the movement
at the heart of the new Ploprof.
The calibre, featuring the OMEGA Co-Axial Escapement,
heralded OMEGA as a leading presence in the elite field of mechanical
watchmaking. Its 202 components were created in-house, from inception, using
third millennium technology to ensure optimum performance.
Introduced on an industrial scale by OMEGA in 1999, the
Co-Axial Escapement had been invented by master watchmaker Dr. George Daniels.
It is the watch’s escapement which provides the regular transmission of energy
to the mechanism. Together with the free sprung balance, the Co-Axial Escapement
offers optimal stability to the watch’s running rate over long periods and
enhances the performance of the timepiece. In addition, due to the reduced
sliding friction, the need for oil in this tiny component is nearly eliminated.
The automatic mechanism is driven by a highly efficient
bi-directional rotor. The energy is then transmitted through two barrels
providing the watch with an impressive power reserve of 60 hours.
Adjusting the Ploprof when traveling through time-zones is
simple as the hour hand can be moved separately from the minutes and seconds
hands. The new Ploprofs, with their Co-Axial 8500 calibres, are COSC (Contrôle
Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres)certified chronometers.
---------------------------
Specifications
MOVEMENT
- Omega
Co-Axial Calibres 8500
- Self-winding movement in both
directions
- Officially certified chronometer
- Jewels:
39
- Frequency: 25’200 A/h (3.5 Hz)
- Power reserve: 60
hours
- Special luxury finish:
o monochrome rhodium-plated rotor and bridges
o Geneva waves in arabesque
o blackened screws, barrels and
balance wheel
- Exclusive features with:
o Time zone function
o Co-Axial Escapement with 3
levels
o Omega free sprung-balance
o 2 barrels mounted in
series
o NIVACHOC
DISPLAY
- Central hour-minute-seconds hands, date window at
4H30
MATERIAL
- Case: stainless
steel
- Bracelet: stainless steel or rubber
CASE
- Diameter: 55 * 48
mm Height: 17.50 mm
- Water resistant up to: 1200 m (4000
ft)
- Brushed casebody with polished bevels
- Bi-directional
rotating bezel with blocking system at 2H; black etched on the inside of the
sapphire bezel ring scaled to 60 and with an orange dot in triangle at 12H;
anti-reflective treatment outside; triangle, numerals and scale marks painted
with white Super-LumiNova
- Bezel-release security pusher at 2H with orange
aluminium ring
- Automatic helium escape valve at 4H; “He”
embossed on varnished black ground protected by transparent lacquer
- At 9H, screw-in crown guarded under crown-protector
- 4.9mm
flat scratch-resistant sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both
sides
- 2-piece oriented caseback:
o centre piece: horizontal seawave embossed ground
with polished Ω, “Seamaster” and Seahorse on matt surface
o sealed with
an outer screw-in ring: black chromed engraving “1200m/4000ft”, “Ploprof”,
“Omega Calibre 8500 Co-Axial Escapement”
DIAL
- Polished lacquered black
dial with applied polished
- Polished indexes coated with white
Super-LumiNova
- Transferred inscriptions in white, except
“Professional” in orange
HANDS
- Varnished white
hour-seconds hands coated with white Super-LumiNova
- Orange aluminium
minute hand coated with white Super-LumiNova
BRACELET
- Brushed mesh bracelet
“Sharkproof” with pinned adjustment links or black or orange rubber
strap
- New diving safety clasp, black chromed, “Seamaster”,
“Professional” and seahorse engraved on cover; adjustable to 18 positions over
22mm and with extra diver extension of 26mm
- Fitting : 24mm on
casebody, 20mm on clasp
SPECIFICATIONS
- Special
presentation box
- User’s guide for:
o Time-date adjustment:
unscrew crown to release protection, pull crown to appropriate adjustment
position
o Bezel rotation: press simultaneously on security
pusher
o Bracelet’s complementary length
adjustment:
- Clasp: release clasp, press on “push” and slide inner
clasp
- Diver extension: unfold while clasp extended
