866
Omega
Ref. ST166.077
Seamaster 600 "Ploprof" - Prototype
An impressive and historically important professional diver’s prototype wristwatch with center seconds, date, locking rotating bezel and bracelet, made for COMEX
- Estimate
- HK$160,000 - 320,000€18,200 - 36,300$20,500 - 41,000
HK$241,300
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- Omega
- Year
- Circa 1970
- Reference No
- ST166.077
- Movement No
- 00'066'630
- Case No
- Prototype stamped 4-500
- Model Name
- Seamaster 600 "Ploprof" - Prototype
- Material
- Stainless steel
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1002, 17 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Stainless steel Omega mesh bracelet with Comex Divers Extension stamped “1247-1266/01”, max length 190mm
- Clasp/Buckle
- Stainless steel Omega airline seatbelt-style clasp stamped “1266/237” and “SP”
- Dimensions
- 54mm width x 45mm length
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement, bracelet and clasp signed, case further signed COMEX
- Accessories
- Accompanied by 2 Omega Extract from the Archives confirming that the present watch is a prototype made circa 1970 delivered to Comex and is one of the watches tested at 1000m in the Lion Gulf near Marseille.
Specialist
Full-Cataloguing
Catalogue Essay
Omega invested approximately four years in rigorous testing before officially launching the Ploprof to the public in 1970. The impressive 54mm case is crafted from a single block of “Uranus steel (904L)”, the same material COMEX chose for their ultra-resilient diving bells.
The present watch is one of the earliest prototypes ever created, distinctly set apart from the standard Ploprof. Its movement number begins with “000”, a designation reserved by Omega for prototype or R&D pieces. The Extract from the Archives confirms that it was a prototype for COMEX and was tested to depths of 1,000 meters in the Gulf of Lion off the coast of Marseilles, France.
It is further fitted with the desired mesh bracelet, reference 1266/237, complete with a diver extension and a unique airline seatbelt-style clasp. The watch is presented in stunning condition, featuring its original, beautifully patinated dial and hands that have faded to a light orange hue. The bi-directional bezel is adjusted via a red release button on the right side of the case, a genius design to prevent accidental movement.
This example was sold nearly 10 years ago and we are extremely honored to bring this important masterpiece back to the auction room.
The present watch is one of the earliest prototypes ever created, distinctly set apart from the standard Ploprof. Its movement number begins with “000”, a designation reserved by Omega for prototype or R&D pieces. The Extract from the Archives confirms that it was a prototype for COMEX and was tested to depths of 1,000 meters in the Gulf of Lion off the coast of Marseilles, France.
It is further fitted with the desired mesh bracelet, reference 1266/237, complete with a diver extension and a unique airline seatbelt-style clasp. The watch is presented in stunning condition, featuring its original, beautifully patinated dial and hands that have faded to a light orange hue. The bi-directional bezel is adjusted via a red release button on the right side of the case, a genius design to prevent accidental movement.
This example was sold nearly 10 years ago and we are extremely honored to bring this important masterpiece back to the auction room.
Provenance
Omega
Swiss | 1848Omega's rich history begins with its founder, Louis Brandt, who established the firm in 1848 in La Chaux de Fonds. In 1903, the company changed its name to Omega, becoming the only watch brand in history to have been named after one its own movements. A full-fledged manufacturer of highly accurate, affordable and reliable watches, its sterling reputation enabled them to be chosen as the first watch company to time the Olympic Games beginning in 1932. Its continued focus on precision and reliability ultimately led their Speedmaster chronograph wristwatch to be chosen by NASA in 1965 — the first watch worn on the moon.Key models sought-after by collectors include their first, oversized water-resistant chronograph — the reference 2077, early Speedmaster models such as the CK 2915 and 2998, military-issued versions of the Seamaster and oversized chronometer models such as those fitted with their prestigious caliber 30T2Rg.
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