So, I recently bid on and won a Seamaster Professional 600 - a PloProf - Mk III from the 70s. Yesterday I took delivery of it and can now assess it in the metal. I am honestly not too sure whether or not I should keep it. Comparing images on the web leads to a fair bit of confusion, as there are seemingly slightly different case shapes for these - very slight variations for sure.

If I keep it, I'll either have it serviced (movement only) OR have it fully overhauled, including case work. But is it too far gone? I wouldn't want to have case work done on a watch that already has had a lot of metal removed and I am not skilled enough to evaluate it properly.

I'd be thrilled if some of the local experts (@photo500, @Taddyangle ( <-- I couldn't for the life of me understand why I couldn't tag you - turns out I've thought of you as "Teddyangle" for years ), @dialstatic and others!) would take a look at it and tell me what you think. I have no illusion of it being a pristine item, but would like to know if it is "worthwhile" getting restored, or if I am just pouring money down a hole.

I have had it on the wrist for a little while and I am slowly getting the appeal of the PloProf. I have tiny wrists, but somehow - like Seiko divers - it doesn't feel awkward, but rather awesome

Some photos:

 

I have had three of these in the past so feel qualified to respond.

It looks like like an original unmolested example which has a charm of its own and if you like the look just get it serviced without any case restoration.

If you have the case restored - not any easy job due to many different angles and finishes plus a very fine bevel to your satisfaction then the bezel and the dial/handset would look out of place with a near mint looking case.

Going down the route of new dial, handset and bezel would be expensive and take away all the character and would look too new unless the case refinish was absolutely perfect.

In the 'I'm not sure' position my default is to live with it for a week and see if it grows on you. I am sure at the end of a week you will have made your mind up which way to go.

 

Dude. That watch has "experience" written all over it. Sort of the Charles Bronson of watches.

Google wabi-sabi...

 

I have single owner PLOPROF that was opened for the first time when I had it serviced.

These watches need to be serviced from the front (unibody case). You'll find a red dot seal under the bezel if it's been unopened.

- The case shows heavy wear and soft edges, but the dial and hands looks untouched.
- It has the very common dial rot (1st gen) and melted rubber seal issue.
- The bezel insert is in great condition (no cracks).

Everything looks original condition and genuine IMO.

Mine looked just this. I wouldn't be surprised if your watch has never been opened as well.

Your PLOPROF is a little beat, but only professional divers were buying these watches brand new (more expensive than Submariner) - and it looks like it saw some real work in the field. It's a nice catch!

Here's mine for reference:

 

I had Adam @photo500 restore the case on mine and I am happy with the results. I also had him age a set of luminova hands to match the dial as when I purchased it originally it had a new hand set that frankly looked so very odd on the watch. Recently I have found a set of tritium hands and I plan to send off to Adam soon for fitment.

I think first step would be to get inside and see how much work is going to be needed to get it squared away. I thought I picked mine up for cheap, but after all the rehab work, service, date wheel, ordering extract to confirm movement, those costs added up. I was not sure about refinishing the case on mine, so Adam stacked mine on one unfinished cases and that made it much easier to compare. We had a dialogue on the pros and cons of doing this, and I ultimately decided it made sense for his particular watch.

Tough call. You watch looks natural as is.

I added some before and after pics of mine.

BEFORE



AFTER

 

Thanks for the replies, guys

Really surprised that the infamous red dot is applied under the bezel, didn't think front loaders were marked in this manner.
I'll add that there isn't any visible melting gasket, which could mean that it has been serviced at some point.

I guess that the key issue is that I am unsure whether or not I could live with the case condition - and in case I couldn't, would it even be possible to do anything about it, as I wouldn't want to further shave off metal on a worn case.

Regarding what work needs to be done, at the very least the time-setting is dead and there are some stopping issues. The date changes well, also by the quick-set. The bezel moves well and the watch runs. I am not under the impression that parts are neither difficult to find nor expensive unless we're talking "cosmetic" items such as original hands or dials.

 

Not trying to be clever or sarky here but I genuinely can't understand why you would want to do anything to that case. If it were me I'd be more worried about the dial finish flaking away. I don't know anything about Ploprofs so perhaps there's an aesthetic I'm not picking up on, but for me a case like that is like a good-quality jacket several years old that's been worn in to a nice, comforting garment. As others have said, it's a true working watch that's been earning its money. I would either leave it as is or sell it on and buy another one in newer condition.

 

Do you have the option to return it?

I agree with @ahsposo. The sabi on this piece looks great from you photos - but that's just my opinion.

 

Ploprofs are improved by wear that on other watches would be unsaleable.

 

It's a badass watch that lived a badass life. A facelift would removed that character. I'd say keep it as it is. Like @Spacefruit alluded, I generally favour pristine watches but not the case here.

 

This 3rd gen. dial got wet for a long time to be in such condition...
Bubbles on 1st gen dials are common, but should not be on 2nd or 3rd.
I'd worry about movement condition too, it's either corroded or not original.
+ it looks like the black retaining ring (between dial and glass) is missing.
I'd pass.

Here are mine 1st, 1st, 2nd and 3rd gen dials, various hands and bezels (I might sell one of the first 2 btw):

 

Heck no! It's gorgeous. Who wants a pristine 45 year old tool watch anyway?

The bubbling is a common feature of the Type I dials, but less so of the Type III dial which yours seems to be.

Regardless, my two cents: service & enjoy!

 

Oh. Well I guess there is a difference between "experienced" and "wrecked".

I guess I'd have to see what the movement is like.

 

the outside is ok, neither wrecked, nor gorgeous, but the inside is awfully drowned...

 

I personally find somewhat chewed up PloProfs gorgeous, but that's just a matter of opinion of course.

I do share your concern about the insides. I only knew that bubbling is common on T1 and not on T2/3 but had not considered the reason this one has it. I dismissed it as an oddity (old batch of paint or something) but it might indeed indicate severe corrosion of the insides. Good call.

 

send it to me and I'll send you a nice new water resistant Timex in exchange.... problem solved.

once its mine you'll have to cut my arm off if you want it back.

 

If it were mine, I would service the movement. Then look for a dial, used but in better condition and call it done.

 

Thanks for the reply

The black retaining ring/spacer/gasket is still there, though. If it really is severly corroded, I am surprised that it has just stopped running after 24 hours of non-stop running and that the date wheel seems to be untarnished. There are definitely crown/stem issues though, as I mentioned earlier.

I think that original dials are rather difficult to find, but it is an option

 

Personally I would keep it and hammer the hell out of it and build its character. what a cool watch!!!! No point in having if you don't wear and that piece has been worn!