The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I appreciate that this is a Breitling forum but you all seem to have a global interest in watches above one single brand and enough people showed an interest in my Plo Prof when I announced that I thought I would put fingers to keys and put together a little review of this great watch:

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The Plo Prof was a fairly rare site until the relaunch by Omega in 2009. The original was a divers tool watch which was designed at the end of the 1960s and released at the beginning of the 1970s with the input of well known diver and underwater explorer Jaques Cousteau and the professional COMEX divers. As a result the design breaks the mold from generic watch design with a definite function over form aesthetic that most find quirky at best and down right ugly at worst. The watch was mostly bought by professional and hobby divers. Used and abused as a proper tool watch. Therefore, original Plo Profs in any kind of decent condition are very rare and auction prices have now reached $20,000 plus. The original was about $200 when it was first released.

Personally, I have always loved the design but never thought about owning one because the 1970s build quality and slightly lack of attention to detail for an everyday watch never added up to the inflated prices caused by the rarety.

The main two distinguishing features are the crown guard and the orange push button on the side of the case. More on these later during the review of my updated version.

So, I was immediately very interested in learning all about the updated model. I wasn't dissapointed in any way. For a start Omega made the brilliant decision of inserting their new in-house Co-Axial movement. The cal. 8500. This is not only Omegas first in-house movement for many years but also has a useful 60 hours of power reserve fascilitated by the twin barrels and an independantly set hour hand for changing to different times zones without have to stop the running of the watch. Incidentally, this movement keeps time to within 1-2 per week! Absolutely incredible timekeeping. Omega have got this right first time out. Brilliant work indeed.



Every other external detail has been meticulously thought out and re-engineered to make this a true high end timepiece. So lets jump straight to the two outlandish design details:

The crown guard has been redesigned to allow the watch to have a 1200m water resistancy. The crown does take some getting used to but eventually becomes very easy to use.



The push button for the bezel has been given the high end attention to detail. It is now anodised in a wonderful orange. This button releases the bezel so that it can be turned in either direction. This is better solution than the usual uni-directional bezels seen on divers watches in that the bezel cannot be accidentaly moved in either direction when the important and life saving timing of dive times and ascending are being timed.



The bold minute hand has also been anodised, which looks truly stunning against the deep lustrous black laquered dial. Another new high-end addition. The following image highlights this new black laquered dial and the applied "Omega" and logo. The attention to detail throughout leaves the wearer feeling that they have possesion of a watch that has been really well thought out and no element has been disregarded. I honestly do not know how I could have made this watch any better.



The bezel has been given a lot of attention. The insert is now sapphire glass and has a wonderful high end luxurious sheen to it in all light levels.



I just love the side profile of the bezel, which has a great industrial bold look to it. It adds a lot to the depth of the watch but fortunately I am a big fan of substantial watches. Included in this image is the Helium Escape Valve. Another requirement for any dive watch with true deep sea aspirations.



The bezel has also received the new blue Luminova material to create a wonderful spectacle in the dark. To be honest it isn't as bright or long lasting as the usual green Luminova but I absolutely love it.



Finally, the mesh bracelet has also been given the update treatment. The mesh is considerably more robust looking than any other I have seen with great big curvaceous links. The mesh is actually quite wonderful with a beautifully applied brushed satin finish.



The clasp is a true work of art. It has been LASER etched with the relevant details and the Hippocampus which is sinonimous with Omega dive watches.



There is also a very useful micro adjustment for the bracelet within the clasp which utilises a ratchet mechanism which is very easy to use by simply pushing the button, which is conveniently labelled "Push". I'm no diver but I do find this feature useful as my wrist, along with most peoples I'm sure, expands and contracts with temperature changes. With a watch of this size and weight it is imperative that the watch always fits the wrist well. Another truly high end, well thought out and perfectly executed addition.



In conclusion: Many baulked at the idea of a $7500 Stainless Steel Omega that was historically thought of as a bit of an ugly duckling with over engineered features that were of no use in everyday life. Personally, I think it is Omega's greatest bargain and easily my favourite dive watch on the market. This is a utlitarian watch that can be used by professionals and yet it has the levels of fit, finish and attention to detail usually reserved for high end dress watches.

And Thank You for reading. Any constructive criticism of this review is very welcome.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

Great review and great pictures. From on PloProf owner to another, congrats!

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Certified watch nut.

Great review!!!!

I just began becoming interested in timepieces, and over only a short period of time my impression of this watch has gone from "that's a bit much" to "what a cool dive watch"

Your review only furthered that thought.

Absolutely beautiful (in an ugly-duckling sort of way ) watch and a wonderful review. Need overall watch pics and maybe some wristshots!

Thanks for taking the time & sharing!

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a few Pams...

Thank You all for Your kind words.



Actually I did include an overall shot and a wrist shot as I wrote the review but when I tried to post it I was told I was only allowed 10 URL links in my post.

I think in the future I will edit some of my pictures together so that I can include all I want to in a review.

For your reference here are the other pictures that I wanted to include in my review:

An original Plo Prof 600 pictures for comparison that I took from the World Wide Web.



Here is the crown fully unscrewed:



Here is the brushed satin links of the mesh bracelet:



The applied "Omega" and logo



A full watch shot:



and finally a wrist shot:

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

Quick question, i know the movement has a quick date set feature but I was unable to find it? The manual has not been any help and since the hands move slowely setting the date has been a pain for me, any tips?

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Certified watch nut.

Nice review and pictures. An enjoyable read.

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[Witty signature here]

Great review, and an amazing watch.

Altair - are you sure that it has a traditional quick set date, I thought it was just the hour advance.

Great review Thank you for taking the time.

I still think it's an ugly watch but knowing some of the history makes a difference. Definitely a 'tool' watch, one cannot but appreciate its functionality.

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Happines is Good Health and a Bad Memory.
"Ingrid Bergman"

Thanks again for all the kind words Gentlemen.

@Altair - This is no quick set date. Like you I have to wind the hour hand round so that it moves the date on. It's a bit of a pain but the watch hasn't been three days off my wrist since I got it in February so it hasn't been a problem for me.

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Forum Representative for Andrew Michaels Jewellers, UK

Please visit my Watch Blog at http://www.AndrewMichaels.co.uk

******Our new Pre-owned watch site www.amjwatches.co.uk is now live*****

Damn it!!! The problem with this watch is the crown is very thick and heavy and winding a day ahead is a pain, imagine winding for 15 days

Thanks for confirming though Ricardo

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Certified watch nut.

Were I King for a day, I would pass the following edict - all metal bracelets shall be required to have a ratcheted micro adjustment.

Breitling has it on the rubber depoyment. Hell even Boschett has if on the Cave Dweller - a $650 watch. Living in Arizona and going from 110 outside to A/C inside, I would love this feature on every watch. Don't even get me started on the Omegas, Chopards, Zeniths and so many others that rely exclusively on the half link. Who in the world thought up that one???? Why not have a half link and a 1/3 link too??

But all that is moot for today all watches will include the ratcheted extension!

Off with their heads!

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SHARKMAN

Great review of a truly FANTASTIC watch. Think I might finally go and pick mine up this weekend!

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Driver8

Site Moderator

About flipping time

Yeah yeah! How long was your Chronomaster sitting at your AD for BTW? (I think it was your Chronomaster wasn't it?)

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Driver8

Site Moderator