Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1000 166.093 ‘The Grand’ Vintage Diver’s Watch with Original Diving Provenance

Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1000 166.093 ‘The Grand’ Vintage Diver’s Watch with Original Diving Provenance

Model Code: 166.093

Among collectors, the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1000 (Ref. 166.093) is known as ‘The Grand’ due to its revolutionary 1000-metre water resistance – the most waterproof watch made by Omega. Production of the Grand was extremely limited, with fewer than 500 examples in circulation (two iterations were released in 1972 and 1976 respectively). Originally Omega was commissioned by Prince Rainer III of Monaco to create 50 watches to present to friends of the Monaco Oceanographic Research Institute and Museum, requesting that the watch be different to the 166.075 reference of standard production at the time. Omega selected Ref. 166.093 for the commission, and the very first Grand was gifted directly to the museum’s director, Jacques Cousteau, who declared it as his favourite diving watch.

While an exceptionally rare collector’s piece, the Grand’s mechanical prowess cannot be overlooked. Ref. 166.093 was so expertly engineered to be so air-tight that it never required a helium release valve unlike its competitors at the time. Prototypes of the Grand were deployed to COMEX divers before the reference would be produced in small numbers available at retail. Only few have been recorded and sold at auction.

This wonderful example came to us accompanied by a wealth of original provenance from the original owner – a professional diver who wore the watch for many years throughout his career. The seaman’s discharge book, qualification records and diver’s log book show years of expeditions and first-hand records of dives around the Gulf – a fascinating view into the life of the diver and the challenges faced by the watch.

This example remains in excellent condition and includes a service dial. Its 44mm case fits superbly on the wrist and the original milanese-style ‘Shark’ bracelet adds some comfort. This 1970s Seamaster stands independently as a wonderful and rare collector’s item, yet the inclusion of its original diving provenance only illuminates the extraordinary backstory of the watch – a faithful companion to the professional diver who owned it.