Rescuing a historic movement and bringing it back to life inside an iconic case is one of the most rewarding projects for any watch enthusiast. Over six years ago, the opportunity arose to acquire an Omega caliber 1012 in pristine condition for a symbolic price, as its previous owner was only looking to use the original gold case. This discovery served as the starting point to embark on an exciting Omega Baby Ploprof restoration (Seamaster 120m) using original, new-old-stock (NOS) service parts.
The Omega Caliber 1012: High Frequency to Fight the Quartz Crisis
Omega began manufacturing the caliber 1012 in 1972. It is an automatic movement featuring manual winding capability, quickset date, and hacking seconds. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), it represented Omega’s technical answer in the 1970s to compete in precision against the rise of quartz watches.
With a fully functional period movement in hand, the goal was clear: choose an emblematic model that originally housed it and meticulously gather all official service parts (NOS components) using original catalog references.
Step-by-Step Assembly Process
The chosen timepiece was the famous Omega Seamaster 120m “Baby Ploprof”, a watch featuring fantastic proportions and superb brushed and polished finishing on its stainless steel case.
- 1. Date Wheel Replacement: Swapping the original date wheel for the white background version with period-correct typography, secured by the metal plate and movement retention screws.
- 2. Dial and Hands Fitting: After verifying that the dial feet screws were loosened, the original dial was seated. Next came the alignment and hand-setting of the hour, minute, and signature orange-framed hands.
- 3. Casing and Caseback Protection: Once the dial and hands were installed, the movement was cased into the stainless steel body. Before tightening the threaded caseback with the opening tool, it is essential to protect the surface to prevent scratches on the Seahorse medallion engraving.
Final Restoration Result
The result is a fully recovered historic timepiece built with 100% genuine Omega service components. A hands-on watchmaking project aimed at preserving mechanical heritage from Omega’s golden era.
📸 See the full studio photoshoot: Discover this timepiece in depth after assembly with our hands-on review and custom photography showcase: Omega Seamaster 120m “Baby Ploprof”: Hands-On Review & Icon History »
