Why are 'professional' watches professional?

[SimonK]

There's an extremely handsome Bulgari Diagono diver for sale in SC, it's a 'professional', but other Diagono divers are not. The Omega Speedmaster is also 'professional', but the X33 is not. Why? Is there any reason other than a decision by the marketing department that a watch should be professional?

[ordo]

Well, it depends. In some cases professional is just a marketing gimmick.

In others it probably has to do with various certifications that the watch receives. Military standards, diving standards, increased resistance to magnetic fields, etc.

That's my take...

[gcleminson]

There's an extremely handsome Bulgari Diagono diver for sale in SC, it's a 'professional', but other Diagono divers are not. The Omega Speedmaster is also 'professional', but the X33 is not. Why? Is there any reason other than a decision by the marketing department that a watch should be professional?

The X-33 is a Professional model. At least The Gen 2 is. Dunno if that’s changed with the Skywalker.

[dougair]

The X-33 is a Professional model. At least The Gen 2 is. Dunno if that’s changed with the Skywalker.

Indeed, my X33 Gen 2 says ‘Professional’

[jwg663]

'Rolex offers a wide range of Professional watch models designed for specific activities, from diving to flying, yachting or motor sport, and combining functionality with style.'

https://www.rolex.com/watches/professional.html

I don't know whether Rolex introduced the 'Professional' designation, but they've used it for a long time. (Perhaps the 1950s or 1960s? Could someone more expert than me comment?)

[Mr Curta]

The X-33 is a Professional model. At least The Gen 2 is. Dunno if that’s changed with the Skywalker.

They all are.

[GOAT]

Probably all marketing b-s
But I do seem to remember that Tritium is still allowed on some “professional “ models????
I think that was the case with a Panerai submersible I owned a few years back.
Someone will be along to clarify I expect

[Mr Curta]

[Man of Kent]

It's one of those bs marketing words that are beautifully vague, and therefore not so likely to attract adverse regulation. Anything can be professional, even toilet paper.

[Mr Curta]

Macbook Pro
Iphone 11 Pro

I thought that was short for profit

[Der Amf]

Prostate-tickler

[Nealywheelie]

Maybe some marques like Auricoste, Dodane, Breguet type XX, were specifically aimed at military contracts, so could be deemed as 'Professional' although not marketed as such, they just 'were'.


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[demonloop]

'Rolex offers a wide range of Professional watch models designed for specific activities, from diving to flying, yachting or motor sport, and combining functionality with style.'

https://www.rolex.com/watches/professional.html

I don't know whether Rolex introduced the 'Professional' designation, but they've used it for a long time. (Perhaps the 1950s or 1960s? Could someone more expert than me comment?)

Smiths were probably first

[Mr Curta]

Smiths were probably first

Lolz

[zenius]

Marketing stuff.

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[Mr.D]

It usually means its built to tolerances that could be described as specifically optimised and ruggedised to a degree that differentiates it from consumer level.

You find the same thing in many markets from diy to graphics cards.

I’d also argue its most often applied to watches that are “tool”’rather than “dress”.

[Mr.D]

I thought that was short for profit

Macbook/Mac Pro are definitely targeted more at the professional market than consumer.