Introduction
Introduced during the early 1970s, the Omega PloProf 600 stands among the most extreme and technically ambitious professional dive watches ever produced. Developed in collaboration with deep sea exploration comapny COMEX, the “Plongeur Professionnel”, shortened to PloProf, was engineered specifically for saturation diving at a time when underwater exploration was rapidly advancing. Unlike traditional dive watches of the era, the PloProf adopted a monobloc case construction with oversized crown protection and a distinctive locking bezel system designed to maximize reliability under extreme underwater conditions. Powered by the automatic Omega cal. 1002 movement and water resistant to 600 meters, the ref. ST 166.077 perfectly embodied Omega’s uncompromising approach to professional diving instrumentation. Today, the PloProf remains one of the most recognizable and collectible vintage dive watches of the 1970s.
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Grade
V 8.5
Status
Vetted & Approved
Included
Watch Only
Est. value range
$5,000 – $8,000
The Details
Brand
Omega
Dimensions
55mm
Model
PloProf 600
Movement
Automatic Omega cal. 1002
Reference
ST 166.077
Bracelet
Omega mesh “shark” bracelet ref. 1266/237
Year
1970s
Condition
Excellent
Material
Stainless steel
Included
Watch only
Dial Color
Black
THE DIAL
The dial features oversized luminous hour markers and broad hands designed for maximum underwater legibility, reinforcing the watch’s highly specialized professional diving purpose. These original dials are known to have degradation and its rare to see one still fitted.
THE CONSTRUCTION
The massive monobloc stainless steel case is one of the defining design achievements of the PloProf, combining integrated crown protection, locking bezel system, and asymmetrical architecture into a uniquely purposeful construction. Paired with the original Omega stainless steel mesh “shark” bracelet, the watch perfectly captures the uncompromising engineering and bold industrial design language that made the PloProf legendary among professional divers.
TIMING MACHINE READOUT
This reading was taken (crown down) with a ONEOF Accuracy Boutique Edition timing machine at time of cataloging. It is provided as a courtesy only, and shall not be construed as a warranty or guarantee of any kind. Please refer to our terms and conditions of sale for more information.
Condition
Watch is in overall excellent condition. The steel case retains its original finish, with some small nicks visible to the edges, while the case back features a personal engraving. The red bezel-locking button shows some wear. The bezel is excellent, with only a couple of light surface scratches. The dial shows signs of surface degradation and damage to the lume plots. The hands remain very clean, with the minute hand retaining a vibrant orange hue, while the lume in the seconds hand has discoloured. The hour and minute hands appear to have been relumed at some point. It is fitted with an Omega mesh bracelet showing light surface marks. The bracelet fits approximately a 7¼” wrist.
Our Perspective
The Omega PloProf is one of, if not the most, extreme dive watches ever made. It was designed for saturation divers (a commercial diving technique where divers live and work at deep-sea pressures for extended periods (days or weeks)) and was meant to compete with the Rolex Comex watches, which it did successfully.
Patrick Parrish
Collector
