Squale Watches - Reviewed In-Depth for 2024

Written by – Updated on November 3, 2024

Ready for the dive - Squale watches are great timepiece in my experience.

Swiss-made, with a price range for most any guy's any budget, Squale gives you the quality and style you need. But don't take our word for it - take a look at our list belorew.

Robust and reliable, Squale watches have been crafted to withstand the toughest conditions. From professional diving to the more recreational kind, I think they provide a great balance of features and style - with just a few quirks.

Sure, they aren't exactly a Rolex - but they aren't $10k either and if you're looking for a timepiece that will last and look good to boot, Squale is the way to go. With their wide range of colors, straps and designs, you're sure to find something that fits who you are and what your image is.

Don't be fooled by the flashy looks of some of the other brands - Squale watches are the real deal. Pick one up today and you'll be sure to get the perfect timepiece for any occasion.

Squale 50 Atmos: Best Overall

The Squale 50 Atmos is a dive watch that stands out from the crowd. Swiss-made and part of the Von Büren family, this NOS (new old stock) model has been around for decades and is a true heritage piece. The quartz movement keeps it ticking like a charm, and it’s designed to look like a classic Submariner – but with its own unique twist

The dial is where the Squale really shines. The lume is bright and long lasting; you can even see it glow in the dark! And the sapphire crystal adds an extra layer of protection while still being scratch-resistant. The chapter ring around the dial is also AR coated for superior readability underwater.

When it comes to straps, you have plenty of options with the Squale 50 Atmos. There’s a rubber strap for those who prefer something sporty and comfortable, or you can go for something more elegant with the leather strap or two-piece cordovan option.

But what really sets this watch apart from other dive watches is its case design. It has a characteristic shape, with crown guards and a shield over the lume pip at 6 o'clock, plus an extra lume dot on the inner ring for even better contrast against the matte black dial surface. This makes it easier to tell time in low light conditions, whether underwater or not!

The bezel also manages to stand out thanks to its 60-click unidirectional movement and minute markers that are easy to read in any lighting condition. Plus, there's a triangle mark at 12 o'clock so you always know which hour point you're looking at – even when wearing gloves!

Overall, the Squale 50 Atmos is an impressive dive watch that offers great value for money without compromising on quality or style. It looks great on your wrist and won't break your budget either – making it perfect for anyone looking for a reliable companion both in and out of the water!

NanaDC Badass Rating: 4/5

  • The Squale 1521 Onda Mezzanotte is a special edition with a durable 50 atmos screw-down crown and 500-meter water resistance. It also comes with an Italian-made branded leather strap, but I can easily switch it up with a tropical strap or Squale brand metal mesh bracelet

NanaDC Suave Rating: 4/5

  • The Squale 1521 Onda Mezzanotte's wave dial is one of the most beautiful and unique designs I've ever seen. The dial's resonating colors of midnight blue sky and wave patterns make it a standout accessory for any outfit.
  • The sunken four o'clock offset crown and bezel screws make this watch a stylish accessory, and the Italian-made leather strap looks great on my wrist. I feel confident wearing this watch on any occasion.
  • I love the size of this watch; it feels like a 40 to 40-and-a-half-millimeter watch on my wrist. It's comfortable, lightweight, and easy to wear all day long.

Benefits

  • Unique, iconic design with a beautiful blue face
  • Conversation piece
  • Water-resistant up to 500 meters
  • Screw-down crown prevents unwanted water damage
  • Date function
  • Power reserve of 42 hours
  • Variety of strap choices for customization
  • Luminous hands for easier readability
  • 2-year warranty

Drawbacks

  • Design might be too bold for some

Squale 20 Atmos: Best Value

The Squale 20 Atmos dive watch is the perfect professional timepiece for any man looking to make a statement. This stainless steel watch features a 200m water resistance, 40mm wide case, and 13mm thickness. The ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal give it a robust look that can handle whatever life throws its way. The Super-LumiNova hands and markers ensure legibility in the dark, while the Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement with 26 jewels and 38 hour power reserve provides smooth sweeping seconds.

This classic dive watch also has some modern touches like the brushed and polished finishes and domed sapphire crystal that give it a refined look - all at an affordable price. Quality is guaranteed from this manufacturer, who boasts record-breaking divers like Enzo Maiorca and Jacques Mayol setting immersion records in Japan.

squale 20 atmos

For those looking for an even better deal, there are customer returns available that are former photo samples with minor signs of wear. They come with a 6 month warranty and plenty of scratch resistance to keep your watch looking fresh for years to come. You can dress it up or down for any occasion, whether you're poolside on family vacation or out to dinner at a nice restaurant.

Overall, the Squale 20 Atmos dive watch is an excellent choice for any man looking for a high quality classic watch with smart-casual looks. It's only available through Squale authorised retailers, so you know you're getting a dealer exclusive when you buy one! With its unbeatable value, unbeatable quality and unbeatable features, this is one of the best watches around - no doubt about it!

NanaDC Badass Rating: 4/5

  • This watch is impressively built with solid construction and quality finishing, making it a substantial and durable Submariner alternative.
  • This watch's water-resistant rating of 20 Atmos or 200 meters ensures its durability and strength, making it suitable for diving and other water activities.
  • The Cyclops magnifier on this watch is one of the best I've seen, providing proper magnification and enhancing readability.

NanaDC Suave Rating: 4/5

  • This watch's flat sapphire crystal with a Rolex-style cyclops magnifier provides excellent readability and a unique design element to its beautiful finish.

Benefits

  • Date function
  • 42-hour battery reserve
  • Extra accurate time-telling
  • Superluminova hands/markers for readability
  • Anti-reflective coating
  • 2-year warranty

Drawbacks

  • Not for professional diving

Squale 1545 Collection: Best Budget Pick

The Squale 1545 is a Swiss-made homage diver watch that pays tribute to the classic designs of watches like the Rolex Submariner and Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. This watch has all the features you could want in a modern dive watch, plus a few extras that make it stand out from the crowd.

The design of this watch is truly impressive. The case is made from 316L stainless steel, with a 40mm diameter and 12mm height. The bezel is uni-directional and ceramic inlayed for superior durability. It also has a lumed pip for easy reading underwater. The dial comes in three distinct colorways: matte black, grey-dial and white-dial, each featuring vertical stripes, Geneva striping and C1 Super-LumiNova lume. It also features a flat sapphire crystal with AR coating on top.

squale 1545 collection

The bracelet on this watch is an oyster-style steel bracelet with end links and faux center links. It's well made but unfortunately there is one design flaw - the clasp can be opened easily with just your fingernail or lip! But overall it's still comfortable to wear and doesn't jingle or jangle when you move around.

In terms of performance, the Squale 1545 offers 30 ATM water resistance which makes it suitable for most aquatic activities including diving. It also has an ETA 2824-2 movement with hacking and hand winding capabilities as well as a ball bearing rotor running at 28,800 A/h frequency. The date window also has quick set feature so you don't have to worry about setting it manually every time you wear it.

Overall, I'm pretty love with this watch! It looks great on my 17cm (6.7”) wrist and can be easily worn for any occasion - formal or casual. The construction feels solid yet reassuring in your hand and the price point makes it very attractive as an everyday watch too! Plus, with its historic name and design elements borrowed from iconic watches like the Submariner, Divers Sixty-Five, Pelagos or SuperOcean, it's sure to attract both new aficionados as well as seasoned collectors looking for something unique yet bulletproof to add to their collection!

NanaDC Badass Rating: 4/5

  • The Squale 1545 has gained popularity as the best Submariner homage at its price point. I believe this is due to its versatility as an everyday watch and the reliable features it boasts such as the solid stainless steel case, crown, bezel, and bracelet,

NanaDC Suave Rating: 5/5

  • I appreciate the design of the Squale 1545, especially with the AR coating on the glass that adds a pop of color and visual interest to the watch. The ceramic bezel inserts and AR coating creates a pleasing look that shines beautifully in bright sunshine.
  • The Squale 1545 has a sleek and stylish design with the ETA 2824 movement providing a smooth, sweeping second hand that adds to its elegance. The solid links, brushed lugs, and polished bezel makes for a sophisticated look that is perfect for any occasion.

Benefits

  • Affordable dive watch
  • The classic design is timeless
  • Date dial
  • Superluminova treated hands and markers for ease of readability
  • 2-year warranty

Drawbacks

  • No options for customization
  • 200 meters water-resistance may be lacking for some

Squale 30 Atmos

The Squale 30 Atmos is a watch that exudes quality craftsmanship and offers a sum of parts conceptually inspired by the legendary Rolex 16710 GMT. With its vintage ceramic colorways, this homage timepiece is sure to turn heads when you're out and about. It's a tribute to the iconic design of the original with a few modern updates like an independent GMT hand, SuperLuminova applied markers, and a bezel that clicks positively with each turn.

The case measures 40mm in width and 12.5mm in height, making it a great size for those who want something with wrist presence without too much bulkiness or heft. The lugs are drilled for easy strap changing, but it's worth noting that they are slightly irregular in size so fidgeting can be tricky. The case back is solid and features the Squale logo etched into it.

The dial on the 30 Atmos is classic GMT styling with blue/red two-tone and gold gilt hour markers w

Squale Watches - Reviewed In-Depth for [currentyear]

ith triangle, circles, and bars at 6 o'clock. The hands are silver pigment with SuperLuminova applied to them for maximum visibility in low light conditions. The crystal is made from sapphire material with an AR coating on the cyclops above the date window at 3 o'clock to reduce glare from UV rays.

The movement powering this beast of a watch is either an ETA 2893-2 or Sellita SW330-1 both of which offer 28,800 beats per hour along with quickset date functions and hand winding capabilities. Power reserve is 38 hours so no worries if you don't wear it every day!

The bracelet on the 30 Atmos comes in satin brushed or high polished finishes depending on your preference and features solid end links as well as screw-in links that can be adjusted easily using a spring bar tool or NATO strap if you're feeling adventurous! The clasp has micro-adjustment capability as well as diver's extension for added convenience when wearing over wetsuits or thicker clothing.

Overall I'm really impressed by the Squale 30 Atmos! It looks beefy yet refined, confident yet subtle - all at once! For around $750 bucks you get some serious bang for your buck without sacrificing quality craftsmanship or style. Sure there might be a few minor issues like misalignment between lugs or thinner spring bars that may cause bracelet fall if you fiddle too much but these are small complaints compared to what you get here: A real nice fake of one of Rolex's most iconic watches at a fraction of the price point!

Benefits

  • Fastest GMT feature and date function
  • Super readability due to 2.5 times magnifier
  • Anti-reflective coating on the sapphire crystal
  • Anti-scratch coating on the bezel
  • Two-tone ceramic bezel, for contrast
  • Choice of leather or classic oyster link bracelet
  • 2-year warranty
  • 300 meters water-resistance

Drawbacks

  • Hard to find

Are Squale Watches Any Good?

Each and every Squale watch that is manufactured in Switzerland adheres to the country's time-honored heritage of watchmaking.

These are some of the watches that scuba divers and other people who are passionate about timepieces covet the most. Although a watch from the Squale brand might not be able to compete with timepieces that cost twice or even three times as much, Squale is unbeatable at its price point.

Every Squale watch has a 316L stainless steel case that is made in Switzerland. Swiss components are used in the production of the company's gaskets, winders, and winder sleeves. In addition, you are given the peace of mind that each watch can withstand the extreme pressure and saltwater that will be present during your dive.

These timepieces have a timeless quality because to their combination of a contemporary design and vintage accents. At this price point, we can tell you that no other brand can compete with Squale watches.

Given all of these factors, it is not surprising that the Squale brand has established a tradition and gained a reputation as one of the forerunners among watch brands that are designed exclusively for diving.

Squale includes a warranty certificate with all of its products in order to reaffirm its commitment to producing goods of the highest possible quality.

All Squale goods sold anywhere in the world are covered for two years against any defects in manufacturing that may occur. After the seller has filled out, dated, and signed the warranty certificate, the two-year period of coverage will start counting down from the date of purchase.

It is strongly recommended by the manufacturer that the warranty certificate and the original receipt for purchase be kept by the customer at all times.

Please be aware that the strap, the crystals, and the batteries are not covered by the warranty. When there is evidence of improper treatment, impact damage, or unauthorized repairs, the warranty is also null and void.

You can visit the Squale warranty page to obtain additional information about watch maintenance and the terms of the guarantee.

Where to Buy These Watches

It is not difficult to find places that sell the Squale brand. It has both a Swiss [R] and US website [R]. However, we highly suggest buying from their Amazon page to get you the best deals and faster delivery.

They also include a list of dealers on their websites, in case you are one of those watch aficionados who feels more comfortable purchasing a timepiece after having first seen it in person.

How Much Are Squale Watches Worth?

Every penny spent on a Squale watch is money well spent. It is a Swiss company that has devoted its entire existence to creating the best watch while also providing the highest possible value to their customers. Each and every Squale watch is crafted with the wearer's intended use in mind.

Even before they focused on their own timepieces, the Squale brand focused on gaining patents for an airtight case construction and producing components for top brands. This was done even before they focused on making their own clocks.

Because of this, they have built up a fantastic reputation throughout the years.

Today, it is recognized as a brand that has been at the forefront of innovation within the realm of underwater watch technology.

Squale has the unwavering support of illustrious divers. Divers have used it to set many records for diving and time spent underwater, and they have also used it to perform watch orders expressly for armed personnel.

In point of fact, if it is durable enough to survive battles, then it is durable enough to survive a day at the beach.

Where Are They Made?

Charles Von Buren established Squale in Lake Neuchatel, Switzerland, in order to create what has become one of the most well-known watch brands in the world that specializes in diving watches.

In the beginning, Squale exclusively provided components and casings to a variety of upscale Swiss brands, such as Tagheuer and Blancpain, amongst many others. They even created one-of-a-kind clocks for specific branches of the armed forces.

However, in the 1970s, Charles Von noticed a boom in the popularity of diving watches and decided to focus his watchmaking efforts on this particular subset of timepieces. Today, it has established a name for itself as a watch brand that is known for providing some of the most long-lasting, reliable, cost-effective, and high-quality watches that can be purchased from Switzerland.

To this day, every single Squale watch that has ever been produced was crafted in Switzerland.

This comprises all of its winders, as well as winder sleeves and gaskets. In order to guarantee the highest possible level of craftsmanship and reliability, each of the automatic watch movements used in Squale timepieces is produced and dispatched directly from the ETA Factory in Geneva.

While Squale has a headquarters in Milan, Italy, all the hand assembly for their watches is done in Jura Valley Switzerland by master watchmakers. [R]

They pride themselves in maintaining the Squale brand philosophy and tradition of Swiss watchmaking.

Each Squale product is subjected to a series of strict checks and tests to ensure its precision, resistance to water, and quality. These checks are essential for any watch that is made to endure high pressures and salt water.

Wrap up

It is a deeply personal and significant choice to select the watch that you will wear on your wrist day in and day out

It is to Squale's credit that the brand's remarkable diving timepieces are built to last, feature a timeless aesthetic, and adhere to the exacting standards of Switzerland.

The even better news is that each watch is offered at a reasonable price. Even if there are watches available that are of a superior quality, the cost of those watches is significantly more. The Squale watch is the one that offers the most bang for your buck.