To celebrating its 65th, Squale turns once again to the Italian navy for a dive watch collaboration: the 1521 Marina Militare. A tribute to the vintage 1521 model supplied to the divers of the Italian navy – officially known as the Marina Militare – in the 1980s, this limited edition bears the navy logo on the dial and the naval coat of arms on the case back.

The rest of the watch is classic 1521 with its angular “Von Büren” case reminiscent of 1970s dive watches – that’s because Squale was historically also a supplier of cases to other brands that included Blancpain and Doxa.

Initial thoughts

Although vintage re-issues are common with micro-brands, few have true historical basis. Squale, however, does as it was both a supplier of dive watch cases to notable brands as well as suppliers of watches to the Italian navy. Even though the design of the isn’t novel or creative – it is a vintage reissue after all – the historical navy connection sets this apart from its peers.

The dial, bezel, and strap feature orange accents

Priced at US$1,430, 1521 Marina Militare is affordable and priced comparably to past Squale models. Like many watches in this price range it’s powered by an  inexpensive Sellita SW 200-1. It’s priced similarly to most of the micro brand competition, but the Marine Militare connection makes this little a more interesting.

Retro and orange

The 1521 Marina Militare reproduces the vintage “Von Büren” case that is best known for having been employed by Blancpain in its Fifty Fathoms “Bund” made for the German navy. Distinctive with its angular lug form and a recessed crown at four, the case is in 316L stainless steel case. It measures 42 mm in diameter and 12.5 mm in thickness.

The radially brushed dial has applied hour markers and baton hands. In the style of certain vintage dive watches, the minute hand is filled with orange Super-Luminova to distinguish it from the hour hand. At the same time, the seconds hashmarks, Marine Militare logo, and 15-minute segment on the bezel are also in orange to match.

The navy logo in orange

The solid case back bears the Marina Militare coat of arms in relief. Underneath is an Elaborè-grade Sellita SW 200-1 – that’s one step up from the basic, no-frills version of the movement – that beats at 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz) and offers 38 hours of power reserve.

Key facts and price

Squale 1521 Marina Militare
Ref. 1521MARINA.MIBK

Diameter: 42 mm
Height: 12.5 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 500 m

Movement: Sellita SW 200-1 Elaborè
Functions: Hours, minutes, date, and seconds
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 38 hours

Strap: Black microfibre with pin buckle; additional black rubber strap

Limited edition: 500 pieces
Availability: Now at Squale online store and retailers
Price: US$1,430 excluding taxes

For more, visit squale.ch