Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT GoodPlanet
Omega partnered with the GoodPlanet Foundation to help raise awareness of oceans and how important they are to the well-being of the planet. To this end, Omega donated a portion of the proceeds from sales of the specially created Seamaster dive watch to teach conservation to locals in South-East Asia in a bid to protect mangroves and sea grasses.
In a master stroke, Omega chose deep blue and orange as the colour scheme of the watch, echoing the watery depths, and gave it the ability to tell the time in two time zones by adding a GMT scale on the bezel ring and a central GMT hand. With extreme sports enthusiasts in mind, Omega made this watch water- and pressure-resistant to 600 metres. For a used watch in mint condition you can expect to pay in the region of £3,000 - 4,000
Rolex Sea-Dweller Reference 16600
A Rolex classic, this watch was discontinued in 2008. It was originally made for Comex SA and is pressure-rated to a depth of 1,220 metres. Perfect time is kept with the calibre 3135 movement. Fitted with an oyster bracelet, the watch features a triple lock screw-down crown and a unidirectional rotating bezel.
The date aperture has no loupe, which helps to sets it apart from the Submariner. The case and bezel together are also thicker, and the helium release valve is placed in the nine o' clock position. As a classic vintage watch, the Reference 16600 is highly sought after amongst collectors, and you can expect to pay around £6,000 for a watch in good condition.
Longines Legend Diver
In a revival of a popular sixties watch, Longines released the Legend Diver. The retro styling hides modern capabilities, with a distinctive black dial and date function. It’s waterproof to 300 metres and has a fully automatic movement with a 38-hour power reserve, internal rotating bezel that’s rotated via a second screw in the crown and a stainless-steel 42mm case.
Protecting the dial is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal. Adding to the period look of the watch is the textured, synthetic black strap. Expect to pay around £1,000 in the used watch market.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Ref.15703
Highly sought after and always a hot seller, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Ref.15703 is powered by the in-house calibre 3120 movement with a 60-hour power reserve. An internal case provides anti-magnetic protection. The 15703 has a flatter bezel than other Royal Oak Offshores, which makes it appear slightly larger than it actually is. With a 13.8mm case, it’s a bulky watch and weighs 169 grams.
Complications include the date, with dive-time measurement read from an internal bezel which is operated by the turning crown situated at ten o’clock. It’s water-resistant to 300 metres. The case is stainless steel, the bezel is aluminium and the strap is made from functional black rubber. Expect to pay £10,000 or more for an excellent, mint-condition used model.
Omega Seamaster PloProf 1200M
The Omega Seamaster PloProf 1200M was first launched by Omega in 1970, with the PloProf part of the name being a shortened version of the words ‘plongeur professional’ — meaning 'professional diver' in French. Distinctive in shape and design, the PloProf has had an update and a re-release. It now has the in-house calibre 8500 Automatic Co-Axial Escapement Chronometer movement with a power reserve of sixty hours. The unusual shape of the watch comes from the protective buffer, which wraps around the screwed-in crown at the nine o’clock position. While it’s not the only watch to place this in that position, the buffer creates a slightly lopsided look which some people like and some don’t. In the original advertisements even Omega made reference to the unusual shape of the watch, saying that while it wasn’t pretty on the outside it was beautiful deep down. Original models have a healthy following and the more recent versions of the watch are equally as popular among both diving professionals and fashion consumers.
In order to adjust the date and time, you have to unscrew the crown to release the buffer, and then pull out the crown to the right position. It’s possible to make separate adjustments to show different time zones.
The ProPlofs bezel release is at two o’clock. Pushing this in allows the bezel to be rotated as desired then locked into position, preventing accidental shifting during use. An automatic helium escape valve comes into play during decompression and is positioned at four o’clock.
A nice additional feature of interest to professional divers is the choice of steel mesh bracelet, with the bracelet having 18 different adjustment sizes to allow for comfortable wearing over a diving suit. Expect to pay upwards of £6,000.
Breitling Superocean Pro
The Breitling Superocean Professional was made between 1999 and 2002 and had either black or yellow dial options, with the yellow said to be more visible underwater. Whilst the Professional is similar to the Superocean, there are a few visual differences. The case is brushed in the Professional and the hands are matt. The Professional lacks the indices between the numbers on the dial and the crystal is a little thicker, which makes it more water-resistant.
The movement is a Breitling Calibre 17, mechanical winding with 25 jewels with a power reserve of 38 hours. It has a unidirectional rotating bezel, luminous dot at 12 o’clock, luminous white sword-shaped hands and a screwed-down crown and back case. The sapphire crystal has an anti-reflective coating.
Watertight to 1524 metres, the Breitling Superocean Professional was known as the ‘queen of the seas’ and is a high-end diver’s watch. You can expect to pay anywhere up to £4,000 and above for this highly sought after professional dive watch.