White SMP1200 "Ploprof"

[Nalu]

Whilst out in NYC in late July/early Aug I checked into the Omega boutique. I've come to know some of the staff there, and though I've never bought a watch from them, it seems they enjoy having an Omega enthusiast visit and I've always felt welcome in the store.

I managed to have a look at the upcoming SMP1200 with a white dial, a watch I've only seen factory photos of to date. The watch is due to be released in the US in December.

I was surprised that I liked the white dial a lot more than the black dial. The white dial opens the watch face up a bit and evens out the light distribution, making the anodised minutes appear orange instead of black or red. The date alignment problem persists, but I'm hoping that someday Omega come to their senses on this. I apoligise in advance as the photos demonstrate the same WB problems I had shooting in the Omega boutique in Sydney: halogen lighting isn't optimal.



With the brighter dial, the minute hand actually matches the bezel lock button much better and the design appears more cogent.



Now for the "cool" part: the bezel numbers and minute track are done up in shiny metal (presumably SS or chrome) and the rest of the bezel is blue lume (presumably BG-W9). I was able to see this in the shop, but couldn't get a good enough photo to demonstrate the effect. Lume freaks will love it.



The obligatory hairy wrist shot:



And the comparo shot with the Repo Man D3T on SMP1200 black rubber and my "Oily" D2 on vintage orange isofrane:

[sfglenrock]

Thanks for the review, Colin. Wow, an amazing watch and I like the white dial much more than I thought I would. Would love to see some shots of the lume, which sounds very cool. Also love the color of the minute hand.While the 1200 looks great on your wrist, I'm pretty sure it would dwarf my girlie 6.75 wrist. So will this be on your wrist permanently in December?

[Nalu]

Unlikely Steve. I'm probably going to be in the middle of moving (with the associated expenses) and probably won't be doing much watch shopping. The good news is that this isn't an LE and will be available when I'm ready. I should see the watch again before December and will come better prepared to get a lume shot

[HomerJ]

Great pics.

I'm liking the white more and more. Still think the white rubber strap is a bit much, but it looks SWEET on the mesh.

Thanks!

[craniotes]

Colin, thank you so much for sharing these photos with us. I've had a bit of a love/hate relationship with the 1200M PloProf ever since it was introduced, but this new iteration pushes me firmly on the "love" side of the equation. Yowza!

And as for the white strap...



Yup, I can hang with it.

Anyway, it's good to know that this one isn't an LE, which gives me some time to save my pennies. True, I've got to scratch the AP ROO Diver off the list before I can take the PloProf plunge, but who knows, this one could be my first diver of 2011.

Cheers!

Regards,
Adam

[Nalu]

If you want to hold off until 2011, don't go talk to Charles at the boutique Adam! You'll be reaching for your wallet in no time: it looks much better IRL than in these photos. I'm hoping for a blue dial myself, but am not holding out much hope.

Not a fan of white rubber (ordered my U-1W with black), but the milanese looks incredible. It's every bit as comfortable as the vintage milanese, but it's thicker, heavier and more adjustable so one won't need extensions, etc. It needed to be heavier to balance the heavier head.

Not only that, but apparently the new style milanese will be made in smaller lug widths to fit other Omega divers.

In thinking about the white dial more, I think another reason I'm more tempted is that it's much different from the vintage whereas the black is not as different a watch And I'm feeling the need to try an 8500 Co-axial

[shorinjikempo]

Hi Colin, any price indication for the white dial? She does look stunning with the white face.

[tsaojam]

The Ploprof really is a great watch - and the white face only makes it that much harder to resist pulling the trigger. Thanks for the photos!

[Nalu]

Hi Colin, any price indication for the white dial? She does look stunning with the white face.

I didn't ask and assumed it was the same MSRP as the black. I will ask next time around and will double tap with an email.

[craniotes]

In thinking about the white dial more, I think another reason I'm more tempted is that it's much different from the vintage whereas the black is not as different a watch And I'm feeling the need to try an 8500 Co-axial

You nailed it right there, Colin: 1) it's truly different from the original, and 2) it's rocking the 8500.

So, about this "Charles" fellow...

Regards,
Adam

[lancelotlink]

Can't wait to see it in person. I would love to own both if I had some extra cash laying around.

[sharkfin]

Wow, thanks for the sweet pics Colin. I really like this white version.
Although I prefer and love the mesh, I like the white rubber or even a white nato strap as an alternative. It would be a pain to keep clean however.

I've never seen this one yet at the AD's in Canada yet. Its really different and looks awesome IMO. That bezel, very cool. I'm assuming its lumed.

I'm not usually a fan of white dials, but the markers and hands have a good contrast that makes this really classy and legible. I'd assume its visually good underwater as well. ;)

Its a tough call which to choose? I'm not any where close to having that dilemma unfortunately. But I do hope to see one in the flesh as I've seen the black, and its really nice. Its on another plain compared to my LM-7.

Its refreshing to see this direction from Omega, lovely white dial and bezel to brighten up your divers collection. ;)

Thanks,
Dave/

[Nalu]

You nailed it right there, Colin: 1) it's truly different from the original, and 2) it's rocking the 8500.

So, about this "Charles" fellow...

Regards,
Adam

Charles Laevens, Omega boutique manager. A gentleman, a watch enthusiast and all-round good guy IMO

Dave, have a look at my first post: due in December and the bezel is fully-lumed save for the silver markers/numbers. The one I looked at is a circulating pre-pro watch meant to raise awareness among Omega boutique customers.

The LM-7 is an excellent VFM in the tool diver stakes and probably truer to the feel/intent of the original, but the new Ploprof moves squarely into the luxury watch realm, as Omega have been doing for a few years now.

Interesting that the pre-pro (and heavily Photoshopped) photos released earlier this year showed the date window in what I consider to be the correct orientation.

With any luck, Omega will catch on to what their advertising agency clearly thought was correct

Sadly, it's important to note that the makers of fake watches have already released their white-dial Ploprof - beware