It was delightful (and potentially expensive for enthusiasts like me) surprise to learn that Omega will soon release a brand new, new Seamaster Ploprof 1200M watch for 2015. It was 2007 that Omega released the last “new” Seamaster Ploprof 1200M based on the cult-favorite vintage diver watch from 1970. For 2015, we get the interesting and welcome update to the 2007 Seamaster Ploprof 1200M with the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Master Chronometer.

I last visited the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M watch with a hands-on review here back in 2012. While I was not historically a Ploprof fanatic (like some people) I was open minded about the quirky looking tool-style dive watch. After wearing the Ploprof 1200M for a while, I ended up really liking it, and the new 2015 Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Master Chronometer is appreciably more desirable. If you own one of the outgoing generation Seamaster Ploprof 1200M watch, should you get one of these new Co-Axial Chronometer versions? That is a good question. On the one hand, they both look visually very similar with the same size case and very similar dials. With that said, the 2015 Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Master Chronometer has some very enticing upgrades – so owners of the modern models might have a difficult choice.

Let’s start with the movement. Omega decided to fit the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Master Chronometer with the same caliber 8900 family movement as found in the also new for 2015 Omega Globemaster Co-Axial Master Chronometer (hands-on here). This movement is essentially the same as the 8500 family of in-house made Omega movements that existed in the 2007 Seamaster Ploprof 1200M, but contains the anti-magnetic technology of what was previously known as “Master Co-Axial.” It also employs Omega’s new certification scheme, where movements are first sent to COSC for Chronometer certification, are cased at Omega, and then go through an additional and more stringent testing regimen. Accuracy for Co-Axial Master Chronometer watches is said to average -0, + 5 seconds per day.

Let’s recap that point; the caliber 8900 family of movements is more or less the same as the caliber 8500 family but with the anti-magnetic parts which make it virtually completely resistant to magnetic fields. The 8900 movements are also in watches that receive the new METAS certification from Omega. An interesting added bonus is that the 2015 Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Chronometer has a sapphire crystal caseback with a view to the movement. Yes, this a watch that is water resistant to 1,200 meters and has a display back. I don’t think I’ve ever encountered that before – cool right?

Inside the 2015 Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Master Chronometer watch is the Omega in-house made caliber 8912 automatic movement. This is the “no date” version of the 8900 and operates at 3.5Hz with a power reserve of 60 hours. It is really a great movement for all those times you are concerned about harsh magnetic fields while diving 1000 meters or more under watch. Are those not situations you frequently find yourself in?

While the 2007 Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M models had steel cases and bezels with a sapphire crystal insert, the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Master Chronometer watches have titanium cases and ceramic bezels. These details make for a huge difference in how these watches wear. The Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M has always been a huge watch, and now in titanium, it wears a lot lighter. It feels fantastic on the wrist despite the large case dimensions of 55mm wide and 48mm tall. In addition to the case being in titanium, so is the mesh metal bracelet and deployant, which is excellent news. This is the first titanium mesh metal bracelet I am aware of. Omega actually includes a rubber strap with each Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Master Chronometer in addition the bracelet – which is pretty nice, but at the same time, this is not an cheap watch.

The “no date” version of the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M dial is a bit better as it offers a more symmetrical look, but otherwise it is going to look like the outgoing Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M dial complete with the iconic looking orange minute hand. Its sheer functionality and legibility is beautiful to some people. For 2015, Omega is offering four versions of the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Master Chronometer, including black with a black bezel, blue with a blue and 18k Sedna gold bezel, white with a blue bezel, and one with a gray ceramic bezel.

The ceramic bezel looks great and offers cut markers. The entire point of the odd Omega Seamaster Ploprof case design is to have a pusher that, when depressed, allows for the rotating diver’s bezel to turn – the Helium escape valve has been placed on the underside of this bezel lock pusher column. There is also that hardcore looking crown guard system that opens up as you unscrew the large crown. It’s really part of the character of the watch, even if you don’t need a dive watch built like a tank.

Dive watch enthusiasts eager to enjoy Omega’s latest and greatest movement tech will be thrilled to hear that the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M is now the recipient of some interesting upgrades and Omega’s anti-magnetic movement technology. The new colors offer a bit more variety, but at the end of the day, even people with a modern Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M watch with the 8500 movement will be deeply romanced by the new 2015 Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Master Chronometer collection. While the black on black model is probably my top choice, that white dial with blue bezel option is talking to me. Though, at these prices, you are gonna want to get a lot of mileage out of these watches.

Prices for the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Co-Axial Master Chronometer watches are $12,600 for the ref. O22790552101001 black dial with black bezel, $12,600 for the ref. O22790552104001 white dial with blue bezel, $13,800 for the ref. O22790552199001 gray dial, and $18,000 for the ref. O22760552103001 with the blue dial and 18k Sedna gold. The watch should ship toward the end of 2015 after the Omega Globemaster. omegawatches.com

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