Omega

One more back PloProf from full service.

This watch was as close to new as I have ever seen. This watch lived a drawer for many many years till the family let it go. But as always I like to have the inside be a great as the outside and ready to dive.

Here she is.

This is a MKI dial variant with the added element of two colors text white and light blue. I am not sure if these were marketed to different parts of the world but I will soon know once I receive the extract from Omega which will specify where it was sold.

The final product.




The magnificent dial



The reason why you must service these watches despite the exterior appearance. The gaskets are of some type of petroleum base and the literally melt with no visible exterior signs.




And after the case is cleaned. The dial edges must also be carefully cleaned.





And finally the perfect shape of the original bezel a testament to its easy life prior.

. . . the '46 Chronomètre.

The highlight of my vintage collection . . . 

. . . a 30T2rg movement, finally running as it should.

. . . facing north.

Now your talking fancy.

Looks great.

Good luck with the tournament.

HAGWE

Bill

And the double signature is the cherry on the cake!

That is NOS Bill! I have always been fond of the PloPof. It is such a giant in the dive watch world. Enjoy that one- it is a great example.

It is a big watch but is wear small.

A legend among dive watches.

The middle one below is also nice example but not NOS and the text is all white.

HAGWE

Bill

Interesting post as well.  I was unaware of the petro-based melting gasket issue.  I'm presuming the new ones won't have that issue?

Tag heuer have similar gasket issues so I think all watches of the same era. Are defective.

I need to research a little more.

Bill

I love the bi color writing on the dial a lot!

Best, and huge congratulations for the find... Now, you are tempting me a bit...

In France the choices seem good for the PloProf.

A+

Bill

No message body

I will bring it for for the summer.

Bill

No message body

...and perfect to have the full set of new gaskets! I was lucky that our friend who I got my MkIII from had just had it serviced with all new gaskets.

The hands all original nothing was replaced except for gaskets.  The crystal had to be replaced because we could not remove it and it had to be broken to remove.  The old gasket tends to create a haze inside the crystal so I wanted to replace it.

HAGWE

Bill

.....but I guess we often forget the effect of ageing gaskets, especially these PloProf gaskets, who lets not forget where designed to be resilient to helium intrusion.

In the past it seems the petroleum based gaskets melted.  I guess the material have improved or maybe not I guess we will know when we check the gaskets in 10 or 20 years.

Bill

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. . . how I know!

Fantastic condition, and thanks for sharing the details including the inside!

Maybe you plan to have one in your future. 

Bill

for sure...I have tried oe already, fits me pretty well!...one day!...



Matt

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...with a very desirable dial version !!

The hands look almost new but they are original.  As you can see the gaskets had melted and this was the first time the watch was opened.

The two color markings are a real pleasure to look at.

Thanks

Bill

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