Seriously Elegant: Hands-On with the Squale Super Squale
When it comes to diving watches, big and bulky is so standard to the point that it is hard to believe that in the early days of this type of watch, the dimensions were much more condensed. Squale knows as they were there. As a prominent player in this field, they launched the Super Squale in the 1960s and recently introduced some new versions of it.
With a diameter of 38mm, it was once considered a large watch, but not anymore. Thanks to its slim profile, with a height of just above 12.5mm, it even has an elegance to it. Don't let this fool you, as the Super Squale is a competent dive watch with 20ATM/200-meter water resistance, a screw-down crown, a uni-directional diving bezel, and a double-domed sapphire crystal. It oozes a vintage flair that is into every detail, along with a sense of refinement that makes that Super Squale a pleasant watch to live with.
It is like having the best of both worlds: a vintage design executed with modern-day production methods, with the sunray dials preventing the watches from becoming overly retro. What makes these watches different from the other Super Squale in the collection are the dial and the hands, which are now all shaped like arrows. Especially the hands work wonders, as they look more elogated, making the dial look larger than it is. The arrow-shaped hour markers add a generous dose of character, especially the ones with numerals in them. Both the hands and the hour markers are filled with Super-LumiNova that lights up brightly. The color is called 'Old Radium,' and this color has a vintage touch to it. This is not always appreciated but matches well with the overall look and feel of the Super Squale.
The sunray-colored dials look harsher on images than they actually are. This dial finish has a silky effect when hit by light, showing quite a diversity of color tones, but none are overpowering. This makes the Super Squale particularly pleasing to the eye and further enhances its refinement. Another thing that I always appreciate about Squale, in general, and the Super Squale especially, is that the brand keeps the amount of text printed on the dial in check. Other than what my name might indicate, I tend to avoid green-dialed watches. They are particularly trendy today and do not always make a watch look better. With the Super Squale, I found myself liking that version the most because the hue is just right. While blue and black are more traditional choices and very well executed as well, there is something about the combination of the green with the 'Old Radium' Super-LumiNova, stainless steel diving bezel, and brown leather strap that makes this watch undeniably charming.
Squale also offers the Super Squale on a beautiful bead-of-rice bracelet, which sits so nicely on the wrist that it is hard to pass up. Its all-metal appearance gives the Super Squale a more tool-watch-like look. The Italian-made leather strap, which is very supple and far above par in terms of quality, can also be bought separately for $95. This includes the good-looking clasp with the Squale logo.
Inside the Super Squale ticks a Sellita SW 200-1. This automatic caliber is a no-thrill kind of movement, and I mean that in the best possible way. It gets the job done with ample precision and has the good fortune that when it needs to be serviced, the bill won't be thrilling either. While Squale did opt for the version of the Sellita with decent finishing, it would break with the theme of the watch showing it, so they don't. Instead, the closed caseback shows an old-school-looking emblem that suits the watch much better and also doesn't interfere with the generous amounts of wearing comfort that the Super Squale offers.
That all being said can the only conclusion be that the Super Squale might not be anymore the die-hard diving watch that it was when introduced in the 1960s, but it has become a great allrounder in current times. While allrounders are typically a jack of all trades, master of none, this doesn't go for the Super Squale. It takes on any role effortlessly and can be a serious diving companion just as easily as it is a good-looking timekeeper during an enjoyable dinner. These unique characteristics are what make this Squale truly Super.
The Super Squale is available at $1,170 on a strap and $1,300 on a metal bracelet.
For more info, visit Squale, here.
