Most significant watches of the first decade of the 21st century: Omega Ploprof 1200

Rebirth. By the 1980's mechanical watches appeared to be near extinction with quartz and digital watches proliferating in the market. Omega SA was in near bankruptcy. Omega SA survived the crisis, but merger and subsequently a financial takeover left Omega SA is a shadow of its former self. In the interest of cutting cost, Omega SA moved from manufacturing it own movements to building watches with movements manufactured mainly by its sister company, ETA. This move, resulted in Omega's becoming a less prestigious watch brand.

In 2007 Omega SA launched the Caliber 8500 and 8501 movements. The new in house Omega movement first appeared in the Omega Hour vision in 2007, and in the updated Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra in 2008. These watches were slow to hit the market. A with this movement, and the newer Calibre 8600 movement, Omega has sought to reclaim it place in the Swiss watch market.


Return of a classic. In 2009, Omega relaunched its Seamaster 600, more commonly known as the "Ploprof." The Plorpof was a professional divers watch launched in 1971 which had a than very impressive 600 meter water resistance rating matching the rating of the Rolex Sea-Dweller 2000. “Ploprof” were the first letters of plongeurs professionnels – the French words meaning “professional divers”.

The Ploprof’s case is distinctive with a screwed-in crown located at 9 o’clock under a protective buffer. The case is an imposing 55mm x 48mm. One variant of the Ploprof is available with a brushed mesh "Sharkproof" bracelet which looks similar to the metal divers suits design to resist shark attack. While the hour vision is a interesting watch, it has limited appeal. The Seamaster Aqua Terra Terra has an attractive, though generic design. Today Swiss watchmakers fall into two categories, those that manufacturing modern classics, and those that focus on watches with more contemporary designs. The Ploprof The release of this watch is significant because it harks back to Omega's proud history. 

This is the direction Omega SA needs to go, if it desires to reclaim its place in the Swiss watchmaking industry. 

About Omega SA. The forerunner of Omega was founded 1848, by Louis Brandt. The name Omega was first used in 1894. It was used as the name of one of the Louis Brandt brother’s watch movement calibers.