Squale Super-Squale Review: Vintage Dive, Modern Soul
The Squale Super-Squale (ref. SUPERSSABK.PN) is a love letter to the golden age of dive watches — but with a 2024 upgrade that makes it a serious contender for the modern collector. Born from a brand that supplied cases to Blancpain, Doxa, and Tudor in the 1960s, the Super-Squale channels that heritage into a compact, tool-watch package that feels both nostalgic and refreshingly contemporary.
At 40mm wide and 12.5mm thick, it’s a size that works on nearly every wrist — a deliberate move away from the oversized trend. The black dial, ceramic bezel, and Super-LumiNova lume give it a clean, legible face that screams ‘diver’ without screaming for attention. Under the hood, a Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement keeps time with reliable Swiss precision, while the 300m water resistance means you can actually take it to depth.
This isn’t a watch for the hype-beast crowd. It’s for the person who knows that a great dive watch doesn’t need a crown guard or a helium escape valve — just solid engineering, a good story, and a dial that looks as good in a boardroom as it does on a boat deck. The Super-Squale delivers all three.
Manufacture History
Squale was founded in 1946 by Charles von Büren in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. Initially a case manufacturer, they supplied cases to major brands like Blancpain, Doxa, and Tudor. In the 1960s, Squale launched their own line of dive watches, including the iconic 1521 and the Super-Squale. Known for their robust construction and distinctive ‘Squale’ logo, the brand has a cult following among vintage enthusiasts and modern collectors alike.
Movement
The Super-Squale is powered by the Sellita SW200-1, a Swiss automatic caliber based on the ETA 2824-2. It beats at 28,800 vph, has 26 jewels, and offers a 38-hour power reserve. The movement is decorated with a custom rotor bearing the Squale logo, but finishing is industrial rather than haute horlogerie. It’s reliable, easy to service, and accurate enough for daily wear. No COSC certification, but that keeps the price accessible.
Specifications
- Case diameter: 40mm
- Case thickness: 12.5mm
- Lug-to-lug: 48mm
- Case material: 316L stainless steel
- Crystal: Domed sapphire with anti-reflective coating
- Water resistance: 300m (30 ATM)
- Lume: Super-LumiNova on hands, indices, and bezel pip
- Bracelet/strap: Stainless steel Oyster-style bracelet with folding clasp
- Clasp: Folding clasp with safety lock, no micro-adjust
Wrist Feel
On the wrist, the Super-Squale wears like a vintage diver that’s been to the gym. The 40mm case sits flat and balanced, with a 48mm lug-to-lug that keeps it from overhanging even on smaller wrists. The brushed steel bracelet is comfortable, though the clasp feels a bit utilitarian — no micro-adjust on the fly. The weight is moderate, not too heavy, not too light. It’s the kind of watch you forget you’re wearing until you catch a reflection of that domed sapphire crystal catching the light.
Accuracy
Expect around -5 to +15 seconds per day out of the box, which is typical for a non-COSC Sellita SW200-1. With regular wear, it settles into a consistent +7 to +10 seconds. Not a chronometer, but more than adequate for daily use. If you need tighter specs, you can have it regulated by a watchmaker.
Occasions
The Super-Squale is a versatile tool watch. It’s at home on a dive trip, at the office, or on a weekend hike. The 300m water resistance and screw-down crown make it a legitimate dive tool, while the clean dial and moderate size allow it to pass as a casual everyday watch. It’s not a dress watch, but it can dress up with a leather strap.
Wrist Presence
4/5 — The black dial and ceramic bezel have a quiet confidence. It doesn’t scream ‘look at me’, but the vintage proportions and polished chamfers catch the eye of anyone who knows watches.
Reference Variants
The Super-Squale is available in several dial and strap configurations. The standard ref. SUPERSSABK.PN has a black dial on a steel bracelet. There’s also a blue dial (SUPERSSABK.PB) and a rubber strap option (SUPERSSABK.PR). All share the same case and movement.
Family References
The Super-Squale sits alongside the Squale 1521 (40mm, 200m WR) and the Squale 50 Atmos (45mm, 500m WR). It’s the most compact and vintage-inspired of the current lineup.
Other Notable Squale Models
Squale also produces the 1545 (a 42mm diver), the 20 Atmos (a 40mm entry-level diver), and the GMT (a travel watch with a 24-hour bezel).
Similar Watches
If you like the Super-Squale, consider the Doxa Sub 200 (similar size and heritage), the Tudor Black Bay 58 (higher price, in-house movement), or the Oris Divers Sixty-Five (domed crystal, vintage vibe).
Homages
For a budget-friendly alternative, the Steinhart Ocean One Vintage offers a similar 40mm case and ETA movement for around $450. The Seiko SPB143 is another option with a slightly larger case but similar aesthetic.
Investment Value
The Super-Squale has an MSRP of $1,250 and typically sells for that or slightly less on the pre-owned market ($800-$1,100). It’s not a watch that will skyrocket in value, but it holds its own. Limited editions may appreciate modestly. No major auction history.
Service Interval
Service every 5 years. Cost around $350 for a full service. The Sellita SW200-1 is widely serviceable by any competent watchmaker; no need to send to Squale.
Price Range
$1,200-$1,300. Fair value for a Swiss-made heritage diver with sapphire crystal and 300m WR. Not cheap, but not overpriced for what you get.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Perfect 40mm size, 300m water resistance, sapphire crystal, vintage styling with modern reliability.
Cons: Clasp lacks micro-adjust, movement not COSC, bracelet feels a bit rattly, limited brand recognition outside enthusiast circles.
Final Verdict
The Squale Super-Squale is a masterclass in restrained design. It takes everything that made 1960s dive watches great and updates it just enough for today’s collector. If you want a tool watch that looks like it has a history — and actually does — this is it. Skip the hype, buy the Squale.
