Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M – 52Mondayz, week #6-2020

For this week’s 52Mondayz, I chose to wear the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M. The Ploprof has become an icon of the watch industry over five decades. But it hasn’t become the icon everyone is after, simply because it’s a watch that not everyone can wear. However, after wearing it for four weeks straight, I was reminded that the Ploprof is definitely for me.

I don’t recall precisely when I had my first encounter with an Omega Seamaster Ploprof, but it was in the early 2000s. Robert-Jan and I visited fellow Fratello team member Gerard’s store as we did regularly back in those days. I still remember Robert-Jan pointing me in the direction of a freakishly bold watch with a big red button on it, and from the moment I laid eyes on it, I was sold. Not because the vintage Omega Seamaster 600 PloProf that Gerard had on display was stunningly beautiful, but because it intrigued me. That specific watch was also the watch that Gerard talked about in a previous episode of 52Mondayz back in 2017 and, in a way, it’s a pity that Gerard decided to sell the watch as it sparked so many questions in my mind.

Was it actually made to hurt people?

Why was it made? Who came up with such a design? Why a red button and an orange hand? Was it actually made to hurt people? A ton of questions raced through my mind, and I remember Robert-Jan asking me, “Isn’t it cool?” I don’t remember if I ever said, “yes,” to that question, but I know the watch made a lasting impression. Those odd shapes that scream, “Who needs symmetry?” The red button that attracts attention because it almost looks like it might be dangerous to push it. The beautiful mesh bracelet that looks like it can withstand shark bites, and the sheer size that indicates that this is not a watch for boys. Everything about the Ploprof was unique, and it still is! There is no second watch like the Ploprof. Finding out the Omega will discontinue the current Ploprof, it only seemed right to dedicate a 52Mondayz article to it.

The Evolution Of The Icon

The Seamaster Ploprof 1200M is the modern updated version of the original Omega Seamaster 600 PloProf that was introduced to the public back in 1971. When Omega introduced the new version of their iconic diver’s watch in 2009, I thought they did an incredible job. The updated font on the bezel, the orange pusher finally matching the orange minute hand, the changed position of the date display, the incredible stainless steel mesh bracelet, and the integrated screw-down crown are some of the updates that make the Seamaster Ploprof 1200M look better than the original if you ask me. And the best thing is that there is no way around the fact that it still is a PloProf.

Better than the original.

Don’t get me wrong; the original is the original. It’s the watch that started the legacy and there so many great stories attached to the watch. I will always love it for what it has brought to the world of watches, and I don’t think it’s a matter of choice. If you are into the Ploprof story and design, you might need both of them.  It is rare for me to think that an updated version of an icon looks better than the original. But in this case, Omega has achieved precisely that. There are a ton more differences between the two watches. If you would like to know more about the differences between the original and the updated version, you can read Robert-Jan’s comparison article here to find out all there is to know. For me, what stands out is that in terms of aesthetics, the Seamaster Ploprof 1200M is a step forward that I really like. As a result, I have grown to love it.

Size Does Matter With The Ploprof

As soon as you put the Seamaster Ploprof 1200M on your wrist, you know you are wearing a huge watch! The watch measures a whopping 55×48mm, and you need to have a pretty big wrist to wear a watch that size. It also helps if you are a tall person to balance things out a bit visually. Not only is the watch big, but it’s also very thick. So you have to be a tall guy with a decent-sized wrist to pull it off. That’s precisely why the Ploprof is an icon that not that many people are after. It’s simply too big for many to wear properly. I’m 1.94m (6′ 4″), so the size itself is not a problem, but I was a bit scared that my wrist wouldn’t be big enough. As it turns out, the Ploprof is exactly the right size, and it sits very well on my wrist and wears very comfortably.

279g weight

The first thing that stands out when you put it on your wrist, however, is not the size but its 279g weight. Putting the watch on your wrist is like getting ready to do some proper weightlifting in the gym. And that’s exactly why I was reminded that you need to get used to the Ploprof a bit before you can embrace it as your daily wear. I hadn’t worn the Ploprof in quite some time, and the first day I put in on my wrist, I took it off somewhere late in the afternoon. It got a bit annoyed by the weight of the watch, so that’s why I took it off.

From the third day on, the watch really hit home with me.

The second day I still very much felt the presence of the watch and by the end of the day, I was again happy to put the watch aside when I went to bed. But from the third day on, the watch really hit home with me. It took me two days to get used to the weight, and after that, I wore it every day for four straight weeks without taking it off once because the weight or the size was annoying me. For its size, the Seamaster Ploprof 1200M wears comfortable, and the main thing is getting used to the weight. Once you have accepted the weight, it is a surprisingly comfortable watch.

The magic

Part of the magic of wearing the Seamaster Ploprof 1200M is in the incredible stainless steel mesh bracelet. The incredible construction of the bracelet makes it very comfortable and also ensures the watch balances on your wrist. You can also choose to go for the optional rubber strap. But it also causes the watch to move a bit more on your wrist because it becomes top-heavy. Besides that, the bracelet also looks very cool, so that is my preferred option when wearing the Ploprof.

The Ploprof As A Daily Wear

As mentioned before, the Seamaster Ploprof 1200M has some serious presence. There is no way that you can tuck it away underneath the sleeve of your shirt or jumper. Wearing the Ploprof means that you and the people you meet will know you are wearing a big watch. Because the Ploprof is such a serious tool watch, it can withstand the abuse of daily wear without any problems. I love wearing the Ploprof because of its looks first. I love how different shapes come together in a way that makes sense. Although the shape of the case seems asymmetrical, if you look closer, you will find that the basis of the case is very symmetrical, but the functional elements added to the watch make it look asymmetrical and weird. But it’s weird for exactly the right reasons.

Conclusion

And that’s why the Seamaster Ploprof 1200M is such an incredible watch. It remains an incredible tool watch that is made for serious diving. On the other hand, the watch has become a style icon that you can wear every day. It is a treat for those who recognize the watch to see it in the wild. And to me, that’s the power of a great watch: The combination of the highest level of functionality, the incredible story, and stylish good looks make this a beater of which you can be proud. They make the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M one of my favorite watches ever.

This 2019 Seamaster Ploprof 1200M is probably one of the last iterations of the model’s current run. Omega decided to discontinue the steel version in favor of a titanium alternative. But, if you ask me, the steel version is the only way to go. Sure, the titanium version is a lot lighter and therefore easier to wear but to me, it’s not the real deal. It will be interesting to see what Omega comes up with next for the Ploprof. Will there be a new Ploprof? I definitely hope so because I think the Ploprof is one of the biggest icons the brand has. And it would be great to see a new Ploprof in 2021, exactly 50 years after the first version was made available to the public. I’ll be the first to check that out and see if the magic of the vintage PloProf and this Seamaster Ploprof 1200M is continued in all its glory. Visit Omega online for the current collection of Ploprof models