Following the advent of the “Aqua-Lung” by Émile Gagnan and Jacques Cousteau in the early 1940s there was an increased demand from both professional and newly minted recreational divers for equipment that maintained their safety during dives. Watch brands such as Omega, Blancpain and Rolex sought to create tool watches used during dives that withstood the pressures of deep diving, and allowed the diver track of their time a necessary value for later decompression.

Omega’s PloProf a name derived from the French for professional diver “Plongeur Professionnel” was released in 1971, following four years of research and development including consulting with COMEX and Jacques Cousteau. Where other brands sought to release the Helium from the case, Omega wanted to develop a watch that would keep the Helium from entering the case in the first place. The PloProf was a monobloc case in stainless steel with a locking system to secure the square-shaped setting and winding crown and intricate gasket system of interlocking parts that the crystal rested on. The bi-directional bezel could only be moved through the red release button to the right side of the case, which prevented accidental movement of the bezel.

The present watch is in excellent overall condition and provides a window on to the history and development for both horology and sub-aquatic explorations. The watch is accompanied by the rare Seamaster tubular presentation case and Omega hang tag.