The History of Squale

Squale, a name synonymous with professional diving watches, traces its origins to Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The brand's foundational history began in 1946, when Charles Von Büren commenced assembling watches under his own name. Driven by a profound passion for diving and water sports, Charles and Hélène Von Büren established the Von Büren SA watch factory, focusing immediately on sub-aquatic watchmaking. The iconic "Squale" trademark, derived from the Italian word for shark, was officially registered on 10 July 1959.
Initially, Squale specialised in manufacturing high-pressure watch cases for numerous other esteemed Swiss brands, including Blancpain, Doxa, and Heuer, significantly contributing to the nascent dive watch genre. This expertise in robust case engineering became a hallmark of the brand. Pivotal moments in Squale's history include Italian freedivers Enzo Maiorca and Jacques Mayol setting world records in the late 1960s and 1970s while wearing Squale Master and 2002 models, solidifying the brand's reputation for reliability in extreme conditions. Squale also became an official supplier to the Italian State Police Divers Unit. After Charles Von Büren's retirement, the brand was acquired by the Maggi family, who successfully relaunched Squale watches onto the market. In a significant move to reaffirm its heritage, Squale relocated its headquarters back to Switzerland in 2020.

Horological Significance

Squale's horological significance lies in its unwavering commitment to producing highly functional and durable dive instruments. Key technical unique selling points include the development of robust, cold-stamped stainless steel cases designed to maintain structural rigidity at extreme depths. Many models feature a distinctive crown positioned at 4 o'clock, an ergonomic choice that enhances comfort and reduces bulk, particularly when worn with a wetsuit. Innovations such as the "Push to Release" bezel system on the 2002 collection prevent accidental rotation, ensuring accurate dive time tracking. For saturation diving, models like the Master Titanium incorporate a helium escape valve and a thick sapphire crystal, capable of withstanding immense pressure. Squale watches are typically powered by reliable Swiss-made automatic movements, such as the Sellita SW200-1 or SW330-1, ensuring precision and longevity. The brand is also known for its signature orange minute hand, designed for enhanced legibility in low-light underwater environments.

Defining Collections and Models

Three collections stand out for their global importance to collectors:

The 1521 Collection

The 1521 is arguably Squale's most iconic collection, named after the original production reference for its distinctive case. Introduced in the 1960s, its asymmetric "von Büren" case design, often with the crown at 4 o'clock, and 500-metre water resistance, made it a benchmark for professional dive watches. Its historical significance is underscored by its use by the Italian Navy and even by Blancpain for a German Navy Fifty Fathoms reference.

The 2002 Collection

Representing Squale's pinnacle of professional diving watches, the 2002 collection boasts an impressive 1000-metre water resistance. Its robust cushion case, often with a 4 o'clock crown and the innovative "Push to Release" bezel system, made it a favourite among deep-sea explorers. This model gained legendary status through its association with record-breaking freedivers Enzo Maiorca and Jacques Mayol.

The Master Collection

The Master collection is reserved for Squale's deepest diving watches, showcasing the brand's most advanced technical capabilities. Conceived in the 1960s to handle 100 atmospheres (1000 metres) of pressure, modern iterations like the Master Titanium 120 ATM push this to an astounding 1200 metres. These watches feature grade 5 titanium cases, helium escape valves, and thick sapphire crystals, making them true instruments for extreme underwater environments.

Australian Market Context

For Australian enthusiasts, Squale watches are readily available through authorised local dealers such as Monsoonal and Starbuy Australia. Current 2024/2025 retail prices in AUD for new models typically range from approximately A$1,200 for entry-level 1545 models to over A$4,200 for the high-performance Master Titanium 120 ATM. For example, the Squale 1545 Grey Rubber Dive Watch is priced around A$1,452.00, while the Squale Master Grand Bleu 120ATM Dive Watch is approximately A$4,246.00. The brand consistently introduces new models, with recent releases including the Master Titanium 120 ATM in March 2024, celebrating Squale's 65th anniversary. Further expanding the Master line, new Teal and Blue dial variants were introduced in June 2025. Additionally, the Sub-39 Green COSC Certified, a limited edition of 50 pieces, was released in December 2024, and the 1521 Sea Shepherd, a limited edition diver, in July 2025. While specific Australian-themed editions like 'Save the Ocean' or 'Supercars' were not identified, the global releases are available to the Australian market, maintaining Squale's reputation for delivering professional-grade dive watches to a discerning local audience.