Omega

Part III: Face-Off Legend Divers Blancpain FF vs. Omega PloProf

Part III: Bezel

Both Blancpain FF and PloProf are fitted with sapphire bezel, which is 2nd hardest mineral after diamond. Diamond has Mohs scale 10, sapphire is rated 9at Mohs scale. Mohs scale measures the mineral hardness which translate into its scratch resistance. To have bezel made of scratch resistant material is really beneficial for daily wear. One can wear his watches without having to worry about ugly scratches on the bezel. Blancpain introduced in 2003 the world's first watch with a sapphire bezel with luminova markings in the 50th Anniversary edition of Fifty Fathoms. Since both Blancpain and Omega belong to the same Swatch Group, no surprise re-edition of Omega PloProf also follows Blancpain's step to use sapphire bezel.

How to apply super luminova inside a sapphire bezel? The ingenious solution was to apply layers of lacquer to the flat bottom side of the sapphire bezel ring and therefollowing to carve out all of the areas for the markings. Once sculpted out from the laquer layers, super luminova could be applied.

To me Blancpain has many plus points in comparison to PloProf for the bezel design. Although both using the same material for the bezel, Blancpain put a lot of effort to achieve the look of the original 1953 piece, which was not flat but bombée. The bezel of Blancpain FF is so sexy and it gives a very unique look to the overall watch design. The sapphire bezel with the proper degree of top surface rounding bring both life and a minor degree of magnification to the markings underneath.

I am trying my best to capture the surface rounding on Blancpain FF. You have to see it to believe the quality of bezel of FF. Ploprof's bezel is flat, this is also to honor the same design of the vintage PloProf. I don't think PloProf would look nice if it has the bombée look. The design of PloProf is unique due to the signature orange anodized bezel security release button.

Blancpain FF's bezel

Unidirectional turn
120 turns
Polished surface

Omega PloProf's bezel

Bidirectional turn
60 turns
Unique security release button to turn the bezel
Brushed finish and polished finish on the beveled edges

Verdict:

The finishing of both bezels are top notch. However I rate Blancpain 5 stars due to its unique and beautifully crafted rounded shape. PloProf is unque due to security release button for the bezel, and it uses sapphire too. PloProf deserves 4 stars from me.

Blancpain: 5 Stars

PloProf: 4 Stars