In the late 1960s underwater exploration, off-shore oil constructions and maintenance, as well as applications such as scuba diving, water sports, and sub-aqua military and naval special forces, saw an increase in demand for underwater watches.
The number of employees of underwater contractors at the time exceeded 3000 of which a 1500 were commercial divers.
So the demand for a robust, waterproof, legible, reliable and high-depth rated watch caused the development by Omega of the unmistakable Seamaster 600 debuting at the 1969 Basel Show and being issued for retail sale in April 1971.
Despite it being a superb professional divers watch it also had a big following in the retail market.
Gianni Agnelli, the chairman of Ferrari and Fiat and one of the most prominent public figures in Italy had an allergy to the metals used in watch cases.
This led him to wear his Seamaster 600 on the outside of his cuff and this idiosyncratic display enhanced the watches visibility and hugely boosted demand.