LM-7 (PloProf) design thread 1

[XTrooper]

Ken,

People want to see an HRV on their higher-end dive watch irrespective of whether it'll ever be needed or not, this is the reality of today's market.

[Danny S]

Ken,

People want to see an HRV on their higher-end dive watch irrespective of whether it'll ever be needed or not, this is the reality of today's market.

And while a bezel lock would be a great feature.. keeping productions realities in mind, I'm ecstatic with the LM-7 as-is!

[PloProf Pimp]

And while a bezel lock would be a great feature.. keeping productions realities in mind, I'm ecstatic with the LM-7 as-is!

I don't need an HEV on my high-end dive watches. I've owned a coupla of nice dive watches in my day and never cared if they had an HEV or not. If it keeps the cost down, nix the HEV.

[S.L]

I've had a few divers, of which some probably could be classified as higher-end (matter of perspective of course) and IIRC only one of them has had a HRV.
I'd also love to see it dropped in favor of a bezel lock mechanism instead, but I think that issue is firmly decided already by Mitch.

Unless I misunderstood, this design path was taken in order to avoid the wrath of Omega (they have gone after independent actors on the watch market before).

/Stefan

[MitchSF]

I don't think the price will be out of line with other OCEAN7 watches. We have never made any production decisions based on cost. We make the watch the way everyone wants it to be made, and that formula has worked out well so far.

The sapphire bezel top will increase the cost substantially, so we'll see if it's worth the extra cash. I think we will have to order 200 cases, which is not a big positive in favor of going ahead with production.

Mitch

[richierich]

Why would 200 cases not be a positive fro going ahead? Not only am I in for a LM-6 PVD GMT LE, I'm absolutely in for one of these bad boys and I am crossing my fingers they get produced.

[Danny S]

Understandable to be concerned about moving 200 units within a reasonable timeframe.

Think the hunger for an affordable PloProf "type" watch is being underestimated though. The same 20 guys aren't bidding up each SM600 that hits the 'bay. Don't you think a significant percentage of those bidders for each Ploprof would gladly spend ~$1k for a quality built "near" PloProf.

I've gotta believe enthusiasm for this project is going to be surprisingly easy to whip up.

50 LM-1s were spoken for based upon no more than Mitch & LaHugh's foresight. The LM-7 has an increasingly established name & maker behind it, a successful track record of preceding models, not to mention the head start of shared design features with a revered icon in the divewatch world.

50 LM-1s? Now that was a gamble.

200 LM-7s? That oughta be a lock!

[MitchSF]

Good points. We also have to get movements, something that isn't easy to do these days.

I don't remember the final stats for the LM-1, but I think we took preorders for around 80-100 watches, and about half of those who placed orders, followed through. All 150 watches sold out within four months.

Mitch

[ksv123]

well that sounds like a score to me. 4 months and sold out.

I think the LM7 would sell out as well.

[bobbysamd]

Think the hunger for an affordable PloProf "type" watch is being underestimated though....I've gotta believe enthusiasm for this project is going to be surprisingly easy to whip up.

Sure, it's underestimated. As I am posting this message, this thread has been viewed 2,820 times. Of course, many people, including me, have viewed it multiple times. Nonetheless, so many viewings would indicate the LM-7 has generated major interest.

With such interest, and assuming affordability, IMHO, Mitch should easily sell out two hundred units long before he makes the watches. Sort of like Eddie's Dreadnought.