Ploprof spring fever

[Frank_NRW]

Warning, what you are about to see could negatively affect your bank balance. This was born as an innocent Steeldive SD1969 and given to an artist with a simple brief : "make me an Orange dial". Here's the result. With side by side comparison with a B&R rep and the original Steeldive. Now, the question is what colour for the next one ? Yellow ? Irish green ? No date ? Someone had to teach Omega about dive watches and fix their product lineup.

The next challenge is to find bezel inserts...

 

[Geonor]

Looks fantastic! Does it still have the NH35 or did you swap it out for something higher beat?

 

[Frank_NRW]

I kept the original NH35. The guy who made the dial had the good idea to swap the date wheel for a white one and to replace the hands that he lumed very nicely. I have no idea what movement would fit the case and the Seiko is just fine for me. Maybe I'll do the next one without date ?

 

[Frank_NRW]

And if you are wondering where the dial is coming from….manodeoro…who else ?

 

[eBoy]

Super interesting...

 

[Frank_NRW]

Next chapter...
Got another Steeldive and a white no date custom dial. I guess I need new hands, white on white is no good.
And the white dial doesn't have the finish of the orange manodeoro masterpiece. It's a bit pale, came without feet but ok for a temporary solution.
I think it will be replaced at some stage. When I decide on the colour of the next one. Blue ?
Can't find any insert for the Steeldive bezel. So it will stay black...for the moment. Unless you guys find me a supplier...
The orange one has a 24mm strap.

 

[critical_]

Where did you source the custom dial? Looking to build one for myself.

 

[Frank_NRW]

Where did you source the custom dial? Looking to build one for myself.

The Orange one is from manodeoro and the white one is from a guy in India you can contact only on facebook (seikonda watches). The orange one is using hands from a seller in Singapore. Forgot the name but manodeoro on this forum can tell you. I’m very happy with the dial he made for me. It was worth the wait. Good luck with your project.

 

[Frank_NRW]

It's taking shape. Got a San Martin PloProf with the orange bezel. Exactly the same case as the Steeldive but a PT5000 movement.
The grey dial is a bit dark and looks almost black. But it's fine in the sun. I need new handles for the white one. And probably another jazzy dial from manodeoro. Who can get me a blue bezel for these ? Dimensions are 40.90x31.70x1.00mm.

 

[critical_]

The Orange one is from manodeoro and the white one is from a guy in India you can contact only on facebook (seikonda watches). The orange one is using hands from a seller in Singapore. Forgot the name but manodeoro on this forum can tell you. I’m very happy with the dial he made for me. It was worth the wait. Good luck with your project.

Thanks for the help. Best of luck on your search. Please continue to post updates. I will be following in your footsteps.

 

[TheWatchGuy2]

The Orange one is from manodeoro and the white one is from a guy in India you can contact only on facebook (seikonda watches). The orange one is using hands from a seller in Singapore. Forgot the name but manodeoro on this forum can tell you. I’m very happy with the dial he made for me. It was worth the wait. Good luck with your project.

I have a steeldive 1969 on the way. So this guy an India can do a custom Omega dial for this?

 

[Frank_NRW]

I have a steeldive 1969 on the way. So this guy an India can do a custom Omega dial for this?

Yes, like the grey and white ones in the above photos. The orange one is from manodeoro.
If you order them from India, maybe you can ask the guy if he can supply the dial with feet and a bit more gloss, mine were a bit dull.
At the moment, Steeldive is running a Labour Day discount, 335 USD. But shipping from China...
In case you go for a white dial, do not forget to order new hands, white on white doesn't work.
Good luck and share pictures of the results!

 

[TheWatchGuy2]

Yes, like the grey and white ones in the above photos. The orange one is from manodeoro.
If you order them from India, maybe you can ask the guy if he can supply the dial with feet and a bit more gloss, mine were a bit dull.
At the moment, Steeldive is running a Labour Day discount, 335 USD. But shipping from China...
In case you go for a white dial, do not forget to order new hands, white on white doesn't work.
Good luck and share pictures of the results!

What are feet?

 

[Frank_NRW]

These. Little part that fit into the movement to keep the dial in place. Without them you need to place a kind of sticky pad between dial and movement

.

 

[TheWatchGuy2]

These. Little part that fit into the movement to keep the dial in place. Without them you need to place a kind of sticky pad between dial and movement

.

Do they need to be located in a specific position?

 

[TheWatchGuy2]

These. Little part that fit into the movement to keep the dial in place. Without them you need to place a kind of sticky pad between dial and movement

.

He said he can't do the dial feet. Thanks for all the info and leads! I ordered a black dial with blue lume. He said about a week to do it. Then I will have to figure out how or who to swap the dials. This will satisfy my need for having a Proplof since those are almost impossible to find.

 

[Frank_NRW]

Yes. You need to specify that you have a NH35 movement. Some come with four feet and you have to cut the ones not needed.
Also the indian dial has no date window. What colour are you ordering ?

 

[TheWatchGuy2]

Yes. You need to specify that you have a NH35 movement. Some come with four feet and you have to cut the ones not needed.
Also the indian dial has no date window. What colour are you ordering ?

Black dial. No date is fine.

 

[Frank_NRW]

Aouch…new Ploprof 2023. Just released by Omega.
Not convinced by the all blue theme. I’ll have to do better. Am thinking of an orange bezel with blue dial. And COMEX logo.

 

[Frank_NRW]

Ok, I've made some progress with the bezel inserts.
After all very easy to remove. Place the watch face down in solvent and the insert come off with a razor blade.
I got two plastic ones, a full lume for my orange dial and a navy blue one for the white ploprof.
I also got blue hands for the white dial, the original one from Steeldive were white on white, not a good idea.



Left : San Martin with original bezel and grey dial from Seikonda in India. Movement is PT5000.
Centre : Steeldive with manodeoro orange dial (a beauty) and full lume plastic bezel insert. Movement is Seiko NH35
Right : Steeldive with white dial from Seikonda, blue hands from Raffles in Singapore and plastic insert (navy blue). NH35

All three have 24mm steel straps. But the lugs have not been widened. I have just dremeled the ends of the straps. I was prepared to sacrifice a strap but not a case...

I'm reasonably happy with the result as this is my first mods project. I would like to replace the white and grey dials with something a bit more glossy. And I could also try to find ceramic bezel inserts. Do you know someone who can make these at a reasonable cost ? I would start with a lighter blue one. Have you got any suggestions for improvements? Bearing in mind these are temporary solutions until a decent rep becomes available.

I have to decide what I do next. A bronze one with a green dial (if Ireland wins the RWC), or another SS one with blue dial, red hands and white bezel if it's France. If All Blacks then I have to find someone to make a black PVD case...