Hands-On: Squale 50 Atmos Ref. 1521 Review

If you are a fan of diving timepieces, Squale watches should be one of your collections. Known for making impressive pieces to accompany divers, the Squale 50 Atmos 1521 is one that stands out the most in the crowd. It is a classic dive watch that embodies the essence of Swiss watchmaking. 

Squale’s history can be traced back to the 1940s. The company has been producing watches that offer a blend of style, functionality, and durability for over 70 years. In this article, we’re going to take a closer look at one of Squale’s classic collections, the Squale 50 Atmos 1521.

A Brief History of Squale Watch Brand

Squale is a Swiss watch brand that was founded in 1946 by Charles Von Büren in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. The brand name “Squale” means “shark” in Italian, and the company logo features a stylized shark.

Squale initially produced cases for other watch brands, including Blancpain and Heuer, before starting to produce its own watches in the 1950s. Squale’s early dive watches were designed for professional divers and were built to withstand the rigors of deep-sea diving.

One of Squale’s most famous designs is the 50 Atmos, which was first introduced in the 1970s. The watch was water-resistant to a depth of 500 meters and featured a unidirectional bezel and a helium release valve. The 50 Atmos became popular among professional divers and has since become a cult classic among watch enthusiasts.

Squale has continued to produce high-quality dive watches over the years and has collaborated with other watch brands, including Yema and Blancpain, to produce limited-edition watches.

Today, Squale watches are still produced in Switzerland and are known for their excellent build quality, durability, and classic design. The brand has a loyal following among watch enthusiasts and is highly regarded in the dive watch community.

Read also: Gnomon x Squale Limited Editions: How Sought-After Are They Now?

A Professional Diving Tool: Squale 50 Atmos 1521 Review

The Squale 50 Atmos 1521 comes in two different colors that you can choose based on your preference. The first is Squale 50 ATMOS Blue – 1521 – 026/BLU with a blue dial and 50 ATMOS Black – 1521 – 026/A with a black dial.

In this review, we’re going to take a look at the Squale 50 Atmos 1521 blue dial that offers the charm of vintage collections. Without further ado, let’s dive into this Squale 50 Atmos review.

Watch Case

The Squale 50 Atmos 1521 pays tribute to the brand’s popular collection in the 1960s and 70s. The original design can be clearly seen in the case design silhouette that doesn’t change much.

But it doesn’t mean Squale does nothing to offer a better piece to customers. Improvement has been made to the case construction and finishing through the use of modern-day machinery and technology. 

As a result, the watch offers much enjoyment of the retro-ness while also being wrapped in durable modern case construction. 

The watch also comes in nice dimensions. It measures 41mm wide, 48mm lugs to lugs, and 12.5mm slim to stay true to the original design. The contemporary footprint means that the Squale 50 Atmos 1521 Blue is exceptionally comfortable on the wrist. 

Bezel

A dive watch isn’t complete without a bezel to measure the time spent underwater. In this Squale 50 Atmos 1521, the watch features a uni-directional 120-click bezel. Moreover, it comes with large markers for better legibility.

Dial, Markers, and Crystal

Moving on to the dial, it is designed with easy-time reading in mind. The result is a blue sunburst dial that isn’t quite common in modern watchmaking. It also features large markers to help improve legibility. 

The handsets and markers come in white and orange which makes it easy for underwater reading. At the 3 o’clock position, the watch has a date aperture. Protecting the dial is sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating for added toughness and clarity.

Read also: What You Need to Know About Watches with Tropical Dial

Movement

The Squale 50 Atmos 1521 is powered by the Swiss-made ETA 2824-2 automatic movement. This is a reliable and accurate movement that is widely used in the watchmaking industry. The movement has a power reserve of 38 hours that allows you to wear it all day long without winding the watch.

The movement is also considered a workhorse movement that has been proven to be reliable and accurate. It features 25 jewels and a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour, ensuring accurate timekeeping.

Strap

To enhance the classic appearance of the watch, it is paired with a leather strap. It offers comfort and provides a secure fit. Moreover, the strap features a stainless steel buckle with the Squale logo.

However, as it is also designed as a diving tool companion, Squale also offers a rubber band for water sports activities. With that said, you can change the strap according to the occasion you are going to. 

After all, each strap offers a stylish fit and look that makes a great pair with the watch. So, you don’t need to worry about the lack of style when you swap the strap.

Conclusion

The Squale 50 Atmos 1521 is a great choice for divers that also values vintage appeal and history in their collection. By that means, it carries more than just a reliable tool watch for your next diving but also a tasteful story to tell about your lovely timepiece.

You might also like: Squale vs Steinhart: The Comparison between The Compelling Ones