Sapphire bezel inserts

I don't own an SMP1200 but am also interested in its performance in low-light conditions. I personally don't think the minute hand will be easy to see, based on what I've experienced.

As for sapphire bezels, I've worn my Ocean7 LM-7 diving and otherwise beat the heck out of it. The case has collected some significant wear marks, but the bezel is pristine. When it first arrived (Dec 2008) there was a pinpoint air bubble under the sapphire. With wear and multiple compression/decompression cycles it has grown in size, but hasn't affected legibility or function, so I'm leaving it.

Brand new:

Diving in WA, May '09 (void near 24'):

Dec 2009:

I can't say that this will hold true for the Omega bezels, but I would think durability would be similar. It certainly will be better than the older SMP600 bezels which tended to flood, separate, chip and delaminate.

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Omega new Ploprof: Any actual diving experiences?

By: Marcus Hanke : September 18th, 2010-04:09

I would be interested in the experience of anyone who uses the new Ploprof reissue for actual diving. How is its performance in salt water? Did you notice any kind of specific weathering? What about the massive watch's resistance against bumps and hits? T...

I am also courious...

By: Bill Sohne : September 21st, 2010-18:29

Hi I would also like to see typical wear after multiple dives in surf and sand.... Anyone ..? Best regards Bill Sohne

the reason for my question ...

By: Marcus Hanke : September 22nd, 2010-05:00

... are doubts about the watch's robustness, which I have heard being expressed by some divers. To be more accurate: the doubts did not regard the watch as such, but especially the sapphire-covered bezel ring. It is said that sapphire (like used on the Pl...

I am not a diver by any measure. But I have something to share.

By: Ruckdee : September 25th, 2010-07:20

Marcus, I wear my Ploprof extensively as a beater. It gets knocked around quite a bit and the sapphire bezel is holding up very well. In fact, I don't think it is any less durable than the sapphire crystal over the crystal. But as you and your diver frien...

Thanks, alos for the great pictures! ...

By: Marcus Hanke : September 26th, 2010-03:34

... especially the first one looks terrific! Regards, Marcus

Sapphire bezel inserts

By: Bonesmiller : September 27th, 2010-19:06

Thanks! That "hommage" definitely looks good ....

By: Marcus Hanke : September 28th, 2010-08:01

I am of course aware that the Ocean 7 was released long before Omega launched its new Ploprof. Regards, Marcus

Minute hand...

By: BDLJ : September 29th, 2010-16:15

Hi Bonesmiller, I'm curious about your comment re: the minute hand being difficult to see. I've inserted 'Plongeur' style hands into a friend's dive watch and they really do a good job differentiating between the minute and hour hands. Is the bezel insert...

Bezels, hands, diving, etc.

By: Bonesmiller : October 4th, 2010-20:19

The sapphire bezel insert on the O7 is made the same way all sapphire inserts are made: recesses are filled with lume from the back and then the whole thing is sealed before installation in the bezel. The air bubble probably lies between the sapphire and ...

Thanks for the answers, Bones.

By: BDLJ : October 4th, 2010-22:24

Those photos illustrate the problem perfectly. Personally, I really dislike the anodised orange bits on the 1200 - way too garish. Plus with those photos of the hands it really does seem a fine example of appearance over function. As for bezels, I'm happy...