Squale Super Squale: Its 1959 Origins and Current Models

Among the names associated with this tradition, Squale has built a strong identity through its history of producing dive-watch cases and developing watches designed for underwater use. 

For collectors interested in compact, vintage-inspired dive watches, the Super-Squale offers a distinctive take on Squale’s watch design language. Its range combines different dial styles, colors, and strap configurations, giving enthusiasts several ways to approach the same classic dive-watch concept.

This guide takes a closer look at the Squale Super Squale collection, from its historical roots to the Big Arrows and Sunray models available at Gnomon Watches.

Introduction to the Squale Super-Squale Collection

The history of the Squale Super Squale dates back to 1959, when Charles von Büren registered the "Super-Squale" trademark alongside the Squale brand. The model itself was introduced in the 1960s as a compact skin diver, designed to keep bulk to a minimum during dives. Its compact proportions reflect the practical requirements of skin diving during that era.

The original Super-Squale was designed as a relatively compact and lightweight dive watch. Its 38mm case, 45mm lug-to-lug length, and 200-meter water resistance gave it proportions suited to recreational diving while keeping the watch manageable on the wrist. This compact approach remains an important part of the model's identity today.

Modern Super-Squale models retain the collection's vintage-inspired proportions while incorporating contemporary materials and mechanical specifications. Rather than reproducing the original watch in every detail, the current collection builds on its established design with features suited to modern wear, including sapphire crystals and automatic movements.

Today, the Super-Squale collection includes two main dial styles: Big Arrows and Sunray. The Big Arrows models use bold markers and hands for a more instrument-inspired appearance, while the Sunray models take a more refined approach with applied markers and light-catching dial finishes.

Both styles are offered in several colors and strap configurations, including stainless steel bracelets and leather options. These combinations give the collection different visual characters while keeping the compact case design and dive-watch foundation shared across the range.

 Read also: 8 Best Vintage Dive Reissued Watches for your Collection

Choosing Your Squale Super-Squale

The current Super-Squale lineup includes several configurations across the Big Arrows and Sunray models. In this Squale watch review, the following sections take a closer look at each model and the available color and strap combinations.

Super-Squale Big Arrows

The Super-Squale Big Arrows is defined by its prominent arrow-shaped hour markers and hands. The large markers create a clear, instrument-inspired dial layout, while the luminous treatment supports readability in low light. Together, these details give the Big Arrows a distinctly functional appearance.

The Big Arrows has a 38mm 316L stainless steel case with a 45mm lug-to-lug length and 12mm thickness. It is powered by a Swiss Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré automatic movement operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour. A double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating protects the dial, while the screw-down crown and solid case back support its 200-meter water resistance.

At Gnomon Watches, the Big Arrows is available in three dial colors: Blue, Black, and Green. Each color comes with different strap configurations, giving the collection several distinct looks. 

• Blue: Available in a Special Gnomon Edition bracelet variant, standard Italian leather, and stainless steel bracelet options.

The Big Arrows Blue in this special Gnomon edition has an energetic, aquatic feel that suits a coastal setting. 

A blue leather option softens the sports watch contrast, making it an excellent pairing for smart-casual attire.

The blue model on a bracelet gives the watch a more polished look, with a steel bracelet that fits the case cleanly. 

• Black: Available on both an Italian leather strap and a steel bracelet.

The balck dial on a leather strap gives the watch a warm, heritage feel that complements the vintage old-radium lume markers. 

On the stainless steel bracelet, the black dial gives the watch a versatile tool-watch look that pairs easily with modern casual wear. 

• Green: Available on both an Italian leather strap and a steel bracelet.

Pairing the green dial with a taupe or brown leather strap creates a warm color combination that highlights the watch's vintage roots.

When worn on the stainless steel bracelet, the green dial gives the watch a modern, military-inspired look.  

Read also: Everything You Need to Know About Super-LumiNova Watches

Super-Squale Sunray

The Super-Squale Sunray offers a more refined interpretation of the classic skin diver layout. Instead of the bold arrow-shaped markers of the Big Arrows, the Sunray models feature applied triangular markers at the cardinal hours, paired with circular markers for the remaining hours. The dial has a fine sunburst finish that catches the light and shifts in tone as the wrist moves. 

Despite its more elegant appearance, the Sunray shares the same technical foundation as the Big Arrows. It uses the same 38mm brushed stainless steel case with a 45mm lug-to-lug length and a 12mm thickness. The Swiss Sellita SW200-1 movement provides automatic timekeeping, and the crystal is a double-domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating. Water resistance is rated at 200m. 

At Gnomon Watches, the Sunray collection is presented in three vintage-inspired colorways with specific strap pairings: 

• Black: Available on a vintage-style leather strap and a stainless steel bracelet.

The leather strap tones down the shine and makes the watch an understated daily wearer with a vintage touch. 

On the steel bracelet, the deep black dial contrasts with the brushed case and links, which suits more professional settings. 

• Brown: Available on a vintage-style leather strap and a stainless steel bracelet.

On a leather strap, the brown dial has a mid-century-inspired look, while the steel bracelet pairs the warm dial tone with cool metal. 

The warm tropical-brown sunburst dial on this bracelet strap has a nostalgic look reminiscent of aged vintage dials. 

• Grey: Available on an aged, vintage-style leather strap.

The Sunray Grey presents a sophisticated, monochromatic look that feels tailored and contemporary. Available only with a leather strap, the subtle sheen of the grey dial offers an alternative to standard black or blue dive dials. 

Final Thought

The Squale Super-Squale collection shows how a heritage dive watch design can be revived for the modern era. By keeping the compact 38mm case and 200-meter depth rating, these watches offer a good balance of wearability and diver functionality.

Whether drawn to the bold utility of the Big Arrows or the light-catching look of the Sunray dial, enthusiasts get a piece of Swiss skin diver heritage. Updated materials such as sapphire crystals and automatic movements make these watches well suited to modern daily wear. For those who appreciate timeless design, compact wrist presence, and historic watchmaking roots, the Super-Squale is a strong choice.

Read also: 8 Top Squale Dive Watch Recommendations for Your Next Dive