Taking A Look At Squale Watches

Buy Squale Watches from the UK via WatchGecko! - Here are the models you should be buying...

There is something charming and deeply compelling about a watch brand with a rich history that is family owned. The notion of one group of people being at the core of a brand brings images to mind of honesty, authenticity and a guiding vision driven by history.

Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet are examples of these tightly knit organisations that have contributed hugely to the watch industry. Without them, the watch landscape would look hugely different. The same could be said for the brand we’re focusing on today, Squale watches. They’re a watch brand that currently focuses their attention on authentic diving watches tailored to the purist. They fly under the radar of many people, but those who know appreciate just how much they contribute. In fact, it may surprise you to hear that Squale has been on the scene for quite some time.

Buy Squale watches from the UK!

We're pleased to announce that WatchGecko is now an authorised UK dealer for Squale watches. If you're based in the UK WatchGecko is now the place to go to buy your new Squale watch. If you're not based in the UK don't worry, we offer extremely quick international shipping and have done since 2010. Click here to check out our latest range of Squale watches.

The history of Squale Watches

The origins of Squale can be traced back to 1946 and a man called Charles Von Büren. This famed case maker operated under the name C.Von Büren SA, however, in 1959 Charles registered the Squale trademark and began the brand as we know it today. It was until the 1970s when Büren met the Maggi family who worked tirelessly to establish Squale into the Italian market.

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Thanks to Elisio Maggi’s work to do so, the two gentlemen and subsequent families became extremely close. This relationship meant that when it was time for Charles to retire, there was only one person and one family who could take over full control of operation: the Maggi family.

Are Squale watches any good?

Squale watches are very high quality, well made, Swiss watches. They're built to be able to withstand everything life can throw at you and although they might not be as well known as other household names, Squale knows how to make a good watch, a watch that can easily last a lifetime of intense use.

What are Squale watches like today?

Ever since then, Squale (now headed by Elisio’s son Andrea) has remained determined and focused to stay true to the core beliefs and traditions that act as the cornerstones of the Squale brand. Interestingly, Squale don’t just make watches that look back to their past but they also are driven to continually push the boundaries within the skill-based corner of the industry which is diving watches.

Where are Squale watches manufactured?

Squale watches are made in Switerzland with their headquarters being in Italy for many years. However, just last year Squale moved back to Switzerland where it all started some 60 years ago. Let’s take a deeper dive into a few key models they have in their range today.

The Squale 1521 Dive Watch

Rolex have the Submariner, Omega have the Seamaster and Squale have the 1521. Dating back to the 70s, the 1521 is Squale’s poster boy model still remaining and thriving in the range today. Remaining true to Andrea’s vision for the brand, the 1521 is available in a range of different case finishes, details and colours. At its core, however, the watch is a 42mm wide diving watch with a thickness of 13mm and a lug to lug distance of 48.6mm. Thanks to its large rotating dive bezel as well as the clearly visible minute hand, there is no doubt this is a pure diving watch through and through.

Powered by the ETA 2824-2 with a price tag starting at £799 the 1521 is a true no brainer. With impressive modern-day specifications, a desirable movement and importantly, relevant history the 1521 is an underrated staple of the diving watch world and one for the discerning collector.

Stats:

• Reference: 1521
• Case width: 42mm
• Thickness: 13mm
• Movement: ETA 2824-2
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Power reserve: 38 hours
• Case: stainless steel in a variety of finishes including polished, blasted & PVD black
• Water-resistance: 500m (50 atm)
• Dial: matt dial, lumed dial and textured available
• Strap: Available on rubber, leather and metal

Price: starting from £799

Availability: now via watchgecko.com

The Squale 2002 Dive Watch

Here we have the 1521’s cousin, the 2002 from Squale. Much like the 1521, the 2002 range was introduced around the same time and still retains those key visuals that make Squale so distinctive. Coming in at 44mm wide with a thickness of 15.8mm and a lug to lug distance of 51.75mm this is certainly a different beast on the wrist. The case epitomises 70s tool watches with its tonneau shape and larger chin and forehead covering the lugs of the watch.

The result of this construction is a watch that uniquely feels like you’re wearing just a case, bezel and dial on the wrist. Of course, being Squale, you already know that the diving DNA runs through the 2002’s blood. Bold colours with distinctive accents are the blueprint for the 2002. Once again we see a crown at the 4 o'clock position which helps protect it when diving. The 2002 takes things one step further though thanks to 1,000m of water resistance (along with a helium escape valve) and a unique push to release diving bezel to ensure there are zero chances of accidental movement.

The 2002 is powered by the ETA 2824-2, a now remarkably desirable movement thanks to the Swatch group supply. There is a great selection of options here including polished cases, blasted cases, blue, orange and black dial options. One for the extreme and deeply passionate diving folk out there, the 2002 is a thorough tool watch.

Stats:

• Reference: 2002
• Case width: 44mm
• Thickness: 15.8mm
• Movement: ETA 2824-2
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Power reserve: 38 hours
• Case: stainless steel
• Water-resistance: 1000m (100atm)
• Dial: blue and orange dial
• Strap: rubber diver strap

Price: starting from £1,299

Availability: now via watchgecko.com

The Squale Matic Dive Watch

The 1521 offered versatile, usable statistics all with a consistent focus on being up for any challenge. The 2002 pushed this concept even further by going deeper, larger with even more diving functions. So, what does the Matic offer? Well, a little bit of everything found in the previous two models. If the 2002 was the 1521’s cousin, the Matic is its bigger brother.

The Matic is a model that has taken everything the brand was learnt and produced over the decades of manufacture and brought those skills and lessons into a creation that offers the Squale experience, just in a larger, enhanced package.

The same Swiss ETA 2824-2 movement is inside the watch, but this time we see 600m of water resistance placing it right between the 1521 and the 2002. Chunky hour markers, bold colours and an emphasis on the minute hand are of course still present, but the overriding feel with this watch is in its ability to appeal to even more wrists. Glossy, matt and sunburst dials are available as well as satin and polished cases.

A modern creation from Squale that respectively uses other models in the range to offer something new.

Stats:

• Case width: 44mm
• Thickness: 16mm
• Movement: ETA 2824-2
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Power reserve: 38 hours
• Case: polished or satin stainless steel
• Water-resistance: 600m (60 atm)
• Dial: matt or sunburst
• Strap: rubber dive straps

Price: £1,099
Availability: now via watchgecko.com

The Squale T-183 Dive Watch

Although clearly bold, distinctive and unique everything we’ve looked at from Squale so far has been relatively conservative. So let's change things up with this one and take a look at the T-183.

For all intents and purposes, the T-183 range for Squale is a slightly evolved version of the 1521. Okay, I'll be honest it's a massively evolved version as what was once a steel case in either satin or polished is now formed from alternating layers of carbon fibre and fibreglass. The bezels are completely blacked out, as is the dial, date window and the hands are in full stealth mode. In fact, the only colour found on the watch is within the case and the lume (either blue or black).

Of course, being carbon means this watch is much lighter than the other Squale watches making for quite the unique wearing experience. Powering this watch is the Sellita SW200 Swiss movement, in other words, the workhorse of the watch industry. Of course, it is not the ETA movement, but it is as reliable and usable. This movement choice has also allowed the price of the T-183 to offset the undoubtedly increased cost for the case, ensuring the watch is still competitive and desirable.

Stats:

• Reference: T-183
• Case width: 42mm
• Thickness: 13mm
• Movement: Sellita SW200
• Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Power reserve: 38 hours
• Case: Carbon fibre and fibreglass
• Water-resistance: 600m (60 atm)
• Dial: black
• Strap: Microfiber strap

Price: £1,049

Availability: now via watchgecko.com

The Squale Sub-39 Dive Watch

Based on all of the watches we’ve looked at today from Squale as well as their history, you may be starting to think the brand only has professional deep diving watches to their name. In this case, say hello to the Sub-39 from Squale. Here we see a steel bezel with sunburst blue dial options which takes its inspiration from 1970s watches. However this black bezel, black dial model takes its inspiration from earlier in the Squale history book jumping back 10 more years to the 1960s.

Originally seen in 34mm, this new 39mm model aims to capture some of the original elegance of these early diving watches thanks to its considering proportions and simple yet effective appearance.

With a sub 40mm case width, 13mm thickness and a lug to lug distance of 48.5mm Squale have managed to retain a slice of history. Powering these models is the SW200 movement offering 38 hours of power reserve and 28,800 vph. There is no doubt that at this price point you have a lot of choices if you’re in the market for a reissue style sports watch. There are many brands that also have genuine history to offer as well as new ones who look to be inspired by it.

Squale is such a brand that provides you with genuine history, and then some. They were big players when it came to case making, supplying a huge amount of brands, most noticeably Sinn, Blancpain, Tag Heuer and Doxa. Considering how jam-packed their CV is, its impressive models such as the Sub-39 can capture this history for a price tag that keeps the brand competitive.

Stats:

• Reference: Sub-39
• Case width: 39mm
• Thickness: 13mm
• Movement: SW200
• Functions: hours, minutes, seconds and date
• Power reserve: 38 hours
• Case: stainless steel
• Water-resistance: 300m (30 atm)
• Dial: matt black, sunburst blue
• Strap: black microfiber, rubber dive strap

Price: £1,099
Availability: now from watchgecko.com

Final thoughts on Squale watches

For many years, Squale has lived in the shadows quietly working away on well-made watches, powered by desirably Swiss movements harnessing their history in a respectable way. Squale has been a company connected to WatchGecko for many years, with the early days of WatchGecko having some Squale models available for sale on the site. Our affection for the brands has only grown since, which is why recently we decided to bring them back. Yes, that’s right, WatchGecko is now an authorised dealer for Squale watches in the UK!

Click here to see our full range of Squale watches.