Squale 2001: the icon of the deep

The great explorer, oceanographer, and French filmmaker Jacques-Yves Cousteau, utterly fascinated by the underwater world, once said: “From birth, man carries the weight of gravity on his shoulders. He is tied to the earth. But all he has to do is dive beneath the surface, and he is free”.

The bond between man and the sea is where Squale draws its strength — a Swiss brand with an Italian soul and a pioneer in the world of dive watchmaking. Founded in 1959 in Neuchâtel by Charles and Helene Von Büren, it quickly became a benchmark in the professional diving watch segment. Over the years, it also took on the role of supplier, beginning the production of cases for Blancpain, Tag Heuer, and Doxa for their respective models: Fifty Fathoms, Spirotechnique, and Sub 250 Sharkhunter. 

The 1960s and 1970s marked the creation of Squale’s most iconic timepieces: the Supermatic skin-diver (including the Series 200 with a steel bezel, the 250 with an acrylic insert, and the 300 with an anodized aluminum bezel), the Master 1000m (featuring an asymmetrical case, two-tone acrylic bezel insert, and applied indices), the 600 series (a forerunner of the 2002 model, with a barrel-shaped case equipped for the first time with a helium release valve and a “push to release” bezel system), and the 1521 model (featuring a more angular case, crown at 3 o’clock, and more prominent, sharper lugs — later updated to the design still in use today).

Years of extensive research and development established Squale as a record-setting brand. Its models, true “tool watches”, accompanied champions and legends of free diving and deep-sea exploration, including Jean Tapu, Jacques Mayol, and Italian diver Enzo Maiorca. The latter, a multiple world record holder in free diving, reached a record depth of 67 meters in 1967 wearing his trusted Squale Master. 

THE STORY CONTINUES: SQUALE’S 65TH ANNIVERSARY

In 2024, to mark its anniversary, Squale retraces its rich history of innovative creations, technical challenges, timeless designs, and prestigious collaborations. Each stage of this “topography” focused on a specific model, and along the way, new releases were unveiled across the brand’s main collections: Master, 1521, 2001, and Matic.

The first stage introduced the new and unexpected Squale Master Titanium 120 ATM — a timepiece that reinterprets the original “Master” series, first presented in 1965 with a 42mm case.

The second stage paid tribute to the 1521 through two key novelties: a special limited edition in collaboration with the Italian “Marina Militare”, produced in just 500 pieces worldwide, and the debut of the first stainless steel bracelet with a deployant clasp, custom-designed for the “Von Büren Case.”

In the third stage, an iconic model for Squale enthusiasts — the 2001 — was reissued as a limited edition of 300 pieces. The 2001 “Heritage” recalls the historic model that legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau gifted to Michel Laval, first officer of the Calypso — Cousteau’s renowned research vessel — at the start of their Antarctic expedition in 1972. 

THE RETURN OF THE 2001 COLLECTION

Following the success of the historic (and limited) Squale 2001 Heritage — the undisputed star of the 65th Anniversary — the brand brings this deep-sea icon back into its regular collection with three new configurations: Sand, Sunray Blue, and Reverse Orange.

These timepieces reinterpret the “2001” reference, originally produced in the 1960s and 1970s, featuring a polished, barrel-shaped asymmetrical case measuring 40mm in diameter, 43.6mm lug-to-lug, and 13mm in thickness. Hidden lugs with a 19mm lug width, a screw-down crown at 4 o’clock, and a sapphire bezel insert (equipped, like the original, with the innovative “push to release” system) complete the watch, ensuring it is fully equipped for all underwater activities.

All models are fitted with Super-Luminova® C3 lume, applied to the polished steel hour markers, hands, and bidirectional bezel. The three dials — black (for the Sand), blue (for the Sunray Blue), and orange (for the Reverse Orange) — are striking and highly legible, thanks to the contrast with the minute track and the polished applied indices. As always, a date window is placed at 3 o’clock, while at 6 o’clock, the familiar shark logo is printed alongside “60 Atmos” and “Saphir,” certifying water resistance up to 600 meters.

A major new addition accompanying the latest Squale 2001 models is the 316L stainless steel hollow-link “ladder” bracelet — a faithful tribute to the golden age of watchmaking, adding vintage character and historic appeal, reminiscent of the masterpieces created by Gay Frères. 

CONCLUSIONS AND PRICE

Inside beats the reliable Sellita SW 200-1 automatic movement in its Elaboré grade, offering a 38-hour power reserve and operating at a frequency of 28,800 A/H (4 Hz). These editions are not limited, and each piece is available at a price of €1,770.

With this collection too, Squale reminds us that when it comes to collecting quality timepieces, “you don’t need to break the bank!”

By Luca Barone