Frederic Robert took the PloProf from a wacky idea to a wacky watch back in 1968, one year before the moon landing. You see, in the late '60s, while the world was paying attention to who would pull ahead in the space race, there was quietly an "inner space race" happening, cause when it comes to getting things done deep beneath the sea, timekeeping is a life and death matter. "PloProf" stands for "Plongeur Professionel" which means professional diver in French.
The watch is in a league of its own. Such a ground breaking design back then, and what makes it so special is how the crown is on the left and there is locking mechanism is on the right. On most watches, the crown is on the right side of the case, but the Ploprof is not a "destro", the design is particularly for right-handed divers to be able to operate the locking mechanism – which typically sees more use than a crown – with one hand, and without taking the watch off. The case is made from a single block of "Uranus steel" (904L Stainless Steel), which is the same material on the Submariners at a much later point of history around 2000s. Speak of the subs, here's a fun fact: the Ploprof was priced at double the Submariner at retail.
Our Ploprof is from the 1970s, in a good vintage condition, showing the age on the case and the bezel, but mechanically works very well and comes with our 24 months warranty.
BDL
