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THE ORIGINS: THE SQUALE 2001
The Squale 2001 collection represents a milestone in the history of dive watches. It was born in the pioneering era of the 1960s, when new technologies transformed simple timepieces into reliable tools for professionals of the sea. This collection introduced significant innovations.
The Squale 2001, with its iconic case featuring hidden lugs, was the first watch to incorporate the "push to release" technology, allowing the bezel to be locked after setting the dive times. With its extraordinary resistance to 100 atmospheres, it became a symbol of dive watchmaking and paved the way for iconic collections like the Squale 2002 and 2003.
THE CHOICE OF PROFESSIONALS
On the occasion of our brand's 65th anniversary, we reflect on the events and individuals who contributed to making Squale an icon in the world of dive watches, both in the past and today. The Squale 2001, for example, was chosen by the legendary explorer Jacques-Yves Cousteau as a gift for Michel Laval, the first officer of the Calypso, at the start of the 1972 Antarctic expedition.
The watch, already rich in symbolic value, became even more special due to the personalized engraving on the case back, featuring Cousteau's initials and Laval's full name. At that time, it was a well-established tradition to give meaningful symbolic objects to key crew members.
After Laval's death, the watch returned to Cousteau, who entrusted it to another long-time collaborator and close friend, André Laban. Laban kept the watch until his passing in 2018, after which it went to a German collector passionate about historical dive watches. After a lengthy negotiation, the watch finally reached its current owner, an Italian digital entrepreneur. This discovery inspired Squale to create a new edition of the iconic model.