Bezels, hands, diving, etc.

Oct 04, 2010,20:19 PM
 

The sapphire bezel insert on the O7 is made the same way all sapphire inserts are made: recesses are filled with lume from the back and then the whole thing is sealed before installation in the bezel.  The air bubble probably lies between the sapphire and the black paint/sealant. Like I said, it's not a big deal to me and the bottom line is that IME a sapphire insert seems more durable than an acrylic or mineral (rare, but a company or two tried them) glass insert. I am almost always taking photos when diving and so my watches tend to take a beating.

My issue with the SMP1200 hand is that it is anodised orange. In low light conditions and because it's behind a thick sapphire crystal and buried in the deep face of the 1200, it tends to look brown or black instead of orange - unlike the fluorescent orange of the more recent SMP600 hands or a few other modern watches using plongeur hands. The SMP1200 minute hand only looks orange when it catches the light just right.



Dive was off of Rottnest Island. It was an OK dive, but nothing spectacular. Pretty good surge that day and vis was just OK. I'm sure there are better spots, but I was limited on time. The crew (Perth Diving Academy) were super and made the best of average conditions:


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Omega new Ploprof: Any actual diving experiences?

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : September 18th, 2010-04:09
I would be interested in the experience of anyone who uses the new Ploprof reissue for actual diving. How is its performance in salt water? Did you notice any kind of specific weathering? What about the massive watch's resistance against bumps and hits? T... 

I am also courious...

 
 By: Bill Sohne : September 21st, 2010-18:29
Hi I would also like to see typical wear after multiple dives in surf and sand.... Anyone ..? Best regards Bill Sohne

the reason for my question ...

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : September 22nd, 2010-05:00
... are doubts about the watch's robustness, which I have heard being expressed by some divers. To be more accurate: the doubts did not regard the watch as such, but especially the sapphire-covered bezel ring. It is said that sapphire (like used on the Pl... 

I am not a diver by any measure. But I have something to share.

 
 By: Ruckdee : September 25th, 2010-07:20
Marcus, I wear my Ploprof extensively as a beater. It gets knocked around quite a bit and the sapphire bezel is holding up very well. In fact, I don't think it is any less durable than the sapphire crystal over the crystal. But as you and your diver frien...  

Thanks, alos for the great pictures! ...

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : September 26th, 2010-03:34
... especially the first one looks terrific! Regards, Marcus

Sapphire bezel inserts

 
 By: Bonesmiller : September 27th, 2010-19:06
I don't own an SMP1200 but am also interested in its performance in low-light conditions. I personally don't think the minute hand will be easy to see, based on what I've experienced. As for sapphire bezels, I've worn my Ocean7 LM-7 diving and otherwise b...  

Thanks! That "hommage" definitely looks good ....

 
 By: Marcus Hanke : September 28th, 2010-08:01
I am of course aware that the Ocean 7 was released long before Omega launched its new Ploprof. Regards, Marcus

Minute hand...

 
 By: BDLJ : September 29th, 2010-16:15
Hi Bonesmiller, I'm curious about your comment re: the minute hand being difficult to see. I've inserted 'Plongeur' style hands into a friend's dive watch and they really do a good job differentiating between the minute and hour hands. Is the bezel insert... 

Bezels, hands, diving, etc.

 
 By: Bonesmiller : October 4th, 2010-20:19
The sapphire bezel insert on the O7 is made the same way all sapphire inserts are made: recesses are filled with lume from the back and then the whole thing is sealed before installation in the bezel. The air bubble probably lies between the sapphire and ...  

Thanks for the answers, Bones.

 
 By: BDLJ : October 4th, 2010-22:24
Those photos illustrate the problem perfectly. Personally, I really dislike the anodised orange bits on the 1200 - way too garish. Plus with those photos of the hands it really does seem a fine example of appearance over function. As for bezels, I'm happy...