Author Topic: Squale 50 Atmos PVD Black #1521-026  (Read 6791 times)

Offline W1NT3RW0LF

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Squale 50 Atmos PVD Black #1521-026
« on: June 20, 2018, 11:45:40 PM »


Here I am to give my thoughts and experience with the Squale 1521 PVD Black.

Squale is considered one of the most significant micro-brand in the world. Like the Rolex (where everyone in the world knows the brand!), Squale is quite famous (or infamous!) within watch enthusiasts.



As many fans of the brand, there are also as many haters for it as well. But one thing everyone agrees is that Squale is at the top of the micro-brand ladder in the watch world.

Squale was founded in 1946 by Charles Von Buren in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Their first foray in the watch world is as manufacturer watchcases and components for other brands. Some of their clients are Blancpain, Tag Heuer, Doxa and many others. They also specialises in professional diving watches.

Usually they would make the cases with the “Squale” mark as symbol of pride having faith in their quality.

The Squale logo is quite noticeable on the dial.

The Squale name on the side of the case.

Like many other significant watch brands in the world. Squale has supplied military forces in the 60s and 70s.

Some of the notable owners of Squale watches are Jackie Chan and Jacques Mayol.

Squale also had suffered during the “quartz crisis” and slowly faded from the watch market during that time.

The Maggi family, who are good friends with Charles Von Buren, has purchased the company from him after his retirement. Even until today, the family still own Squale. They relaunched the brand in 2010 and has since became one of the strongest independent micro-brand in the world.

Now that the history of the brand is over let’s head over to the watch itself...

A wrist shot of the watch.

First let me get the specification out of the way.

Movement:- Swiss automatic movement ETA-2824-2

Case Material:- 316L Stainless Steel with Black PVD coating.

Case Dimensions:- 42mm Diameter and 14.5mm in thickness.

Lug width:- 20mm

Crystal:- Sapphire Crystal

Band:- Diving rubber style strap with PVD coated buckle.

Water Resistance:- 500 metres

like many dive watches it is a close caseback. The back is engraved with the Squale logo and it also states that the water resistance is at 50 Atmos (500 metres).

I had purchased the watch since January of this year. The reason behind my action is that I was simply curious of the brand. I have heard many praises for the brand for their dive watches.

I’ve known about Squale since the middle of 2014. I think I came across it while watching watch reviews on YouTube. I remembered that I was fascinated by the unique case shape of the watch and thought that the timepiece itself was very beautifully designed.



The curvatures of the lugs is quite unique.



My reasoning for choosing this particular model is that i don’t have a black watch in my collection yet (At the time I was also considering the Seiko SRPC49K1 “Black Turtle”). When I first saw this watch I decided now is the time to buy a Squale. “I can hit two birds with one stone” so to speak.

The watch I have in my hands here has been with me almost everywhere. To work, meetings, travels and fun times with my son.

It has always been my understanding that dive watches was designed to be the ultimate “tool watch”. And this watch did not disappoint. I have many other watches in my collection (even the most recognisable dive watch from the most recognisable watch company in the world. I think you all can guess!). The Squale 1521 Black PVD will be the choice for me to use for the more extreme tasks. Especially with more luxurious watches you usually tend to be extra careful with them to the point of babying them. It’s understandable since the watches of the more luxurious kind are very expensive.

The appeal of this watch is the affordable price attach to it. Like many entry level Seikos’ you won’t be nitpicking every little bumps that you make with the watch. However, like many PVD watches, scratches will become more apparent if it is deep enough to see the colour of under the coating.



The case is an original designed case by Squale. The design has been attributed to their original models in the past. The unique case has become very recognisable and has become an icon of its own. To me this is one of the most beautiful cases I have seen and like a Rolex Sub it is timeless.

At 42mm in diameter the watch does not seem to big. After putting it on your wrist. You will definitely notice that the watch seems smaller than it was. This is because of the tapering of the case itself. The Bezel is actually larger than the case. This gives the illusion that the watch is big. When it is on the wrist. The watch wears like a 40mm.

Like the diameter, the height of the watch is also another illusion. Stated at 14.5mm, it seem like the watch is quite substantial. However, because of how the case was designed. It conforms to the wrist quite beautifully. The reason for this is in way the lugs angled downwards. It is designed to give the appearance that the case is hugging your wrist.

With this most shirt sleeves can go over the watch itself. In which you can wear the timepiece to work or to have a dinner in a restaurant. Actually, compared to the other line up of the 1521. This watch is much more conservative. This is due to the Black PVD coating. Most of the 1521 watches are more brightly coloured and therefore gives a more sporty appearance. Which gives the PVD version points for versatility.



Also, the black coat gives it a more tactical look. The “mil-spec” look is always more sought after for any brand (eg. The Seiko SRPC49K1 Black Turtle released earlier this year sold out quickly and the price for the watch has increased significantly). And true to the statement this version of the 1521 quickly sold out by most of their AD. The only other places I can find for the sale of the watch is in Chrono24 and at much higher price. I considered myself lucky in pulling the trigger to buy the watch when I had the chance.

The minimalist look of dial just works. With the painted indices and a date window at the three o’clock position. The watch does what it is designed to do. With a quick glance, the watch give the reading of the time easily. The white background on the date also makes it easier for the user to read the date as well. The orange minute hands is not just for aesthetics as well (even thought i think it’s quite pleasing to see a bit of colour in an all black watch), it suppose to give divers clear readability when they’re in the waters.

The bezel itself harkens to dive watches in the past. Recently ceramic bezels has become somewhat of the rage in the industry. Many other well known brands have jump ship to use ceramic in their watches. Don’t forget the aluminium inserts has been in use since early days of dive watches. The all black aluminium insert of the bezel gives the watch a more nostalgic reminder of the past. The printing on the bezel is very noticeable with silver markings and gives a more sleeker appearance of the watch. The 60 clicks of the bezel is very substantial. With every click can be felt and heard quite satisfyingly. In my opinion this is one of the best produced bezel at this price point.

The watch itself is powered by the reliable ETA 2824-2. This movement has been in use for many number of years and quite respected by even the most critical watch enthusiasts. At least with this movement it will be very easily to service. It won’t put a hole in your pocket which is also a bonus for me!

PVD buckle

The Squale name and logo is on the buckle

The rubber strap provided is made from the highest quality of rubber. It’s more supple and conforms to your wrist nicely. It is also one of the most comfortable rubber strap I have the pleasure of putting on. The vanilla scented rubber strap is just luxurious even for this price. Compared to many entry level japan watches (sorry Seiko!), the strap is just simply amazing. With the stamped PVD coated buckle. The company attention to detail is quite astounding especially at this price level.

The rubber strap is quite supple and hugs the wrist very comfortably

After using the watch for quite a number of months now. The watch has been through many things with me and I have many fond memories with it. I’ve use many aftermarket straps on it from leather to Nato, the watch works with anything (it is quite a strap monster!). This does give the watch a more longer appeal to it compared to many other entry level watches.

Even with an aftermarket leather strap the watch is something to behold.

I know compared to other watches in the market. There are many more affordable watch that are available. That is of course true. Many watches from much more significant manufacturers in the east has been providing watches to the masses for many number of years. So why should you care about this Squale...

It is in its own uniqueness. There are many watches from those big east manufacturers available to the mass market. In so, many are owned by the masses.



With its unique case design. It exudes sleekness. Which many dive watches cannot even say. Most dive watches are designed to function and not designed to be elegant. The matter of fact is most professional divers nowadays don’t even use dive watches. They instead use dive computers.

With the 500 metres depth rating, it is quite significant compared to many other entry level watches. As most divers of those entry level watches (even higher end ones) can only reach at most 300 metres. Why does this matter? As my understanding of dive watches. The deeper the watch can go, the more robust it is. The reason for this is the deeper the depth, the more pressure is put on the watch itself. A human without a proper gear can only go to the depth of only 300 metre. This means the watch can withstand a higher pressure than a normal human can.

My only complaint about the watch is the lume. Comparing it to others in the market which is much cheaper than this one is abysmal . It is significantly weaker compared to the likes of Japan watches even in their entry line up.

The lume shot!

As you can see I am very happy with this purchase. The watch itself is quite versatile and can be worn in many occasions. With its iconic and sleek design of the watch it is a winner to me. Even with the weak lume, I still think price to value of the watch is very good. And It will be very hard for me to ever let it go.

This is everything that comes with the purchase of the watch.

A close up shot of the watch inside it’s inner box



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