Fingers-On: The New Squale 1545 — Stepping Out Of The Shadows

Not too long ago, I spent a while with the redesigned Squale 1545 on my wrist. I’m a long-time admirer of Squale, and I even personal two of the model’s watches. The 1545 assortment, nevertheless, was by no means actually in my sights. It was a bit too deep in homage territory for my liking. I’m blissful to report that Squale has modified that. The apparent query is: would I like to recommend it now?

The 1545 is Squale’s most inexpensive assortment. However does that lead to compromises or nice worth? Let’s discover out!

The Squale 1545 redesign

The brand new 1545 diver has been completely dipped in Squale sauce. And that could be a good factor. It was a bit generic and fairly harking back to dive watches from different manufacturers. Now, it seems like a Squale and nothing else. I’m not towards homage watches in precept. I simply assume they’ve a derogatory impact on an in any other case wealthy and authentic model. Depart them to specialist homage manufacturers and deal with a robust identification of your personal as an alternative. I’m blissful to report that Squale has gone that route with the brand new 1545.

The case has turn into a little bit extra distinct by way of the elimination of the crown guards in favor of an enormous crown. However the dial is the place the actual Squale flavors come to life. The quirky orange accents and the indices at 6, 9, and 12 o’clock exude that Nineteen Seventies Squale vibe.

There are three colorways within the renewed 1545 assortment. There’s the black curtain dial we see right here, a Payne’s gray variant, and a white model with gold accents. You’ll be able to have your decide of a metal Oyster-style bracelet or a dial-matched rubber Tropic-style strap.

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1545 Specs

Like all Squale fashions, the 1545 is a veritable dive watch. It comes with 30 ATM of water resistance, so you actually don’t have to fret about getting this beast moist. We have now a crowd-pleasing 40mm diameter, 20mm lug width, 48mm lug-to-lug size, and 12mm top. In case you are questioning in regards to the match and can’t attempt one on earlier than ordering, these are the identical dimensions as a Rolex Submariner ref. 14060. I can also report that it wears very equally by way of dimension.

Behind the stable metal case again ticks a trusty Sellita SW200-1. And that could be a good factor since this caliber is confirmed, dependable, and really simple to service. Topside, we discover a flat sapphire crystal with AR coating. It isn’t specified, however by the seems of it, I might say it’s on the underside solely. And that’s exactly how I prefer to see it.

After all, we’ve got a uni-directional dive-time bezel. It’s fitted with a ceramic inlay and comes with a lumed pip at 12 o’clock. The dial lights up with C1 (inexperienced) Tremendous-LumiNova, whereas the handset comes with blue lume, most likely BGW9. The lume is sweet however not as vivid as it’s on the Squale 1521.

The Squale 1545 on my 17cm (6.7″) wrist

Sporting the Squale 1545

The Squale 1545 feels fairly acquainted on the wrist. That’s most likely because of the case form and dimension, in addition to the truth that my pattern was the extra introverted black mannequin. It has that stereotypical dive-watch vibe in the best way it sits on the wrist. For those who benefit from the Fifty Fathoms, Submariner, Divers Sixty-5, Pelagos, SuperOcean, and the like, you’ll get pleasure from this.

I used to be a bit nervous about that curtain dial. Its broad vertical stripes are the results of overlapping passes of round brushing, very similar to Geneva striping. Within the press pictures, it appeared a bit too ’70s to me. Fortunately, it’s truly fairly refined in actual life. As you may see from my images, the impact is hardly seen below most lighting situations. I would favor the dial to simply be matte black, however at the least it is a distinguishing type. The grey- and white-dial variations don’t characteristic this impact.

All in all, the Squale 1545 is simply an easy watch to put on. It feels sturdy, but it’s compact and subdued sufficient to be worn on most events. This might fairly simply be your solely watch. It’s effectively made, which supplies you that reassuring feeling {that a} fashionable dive watch ought to. It isn’t a watch I fell head over heels in love with, however it did immediately really feel prefer it had been mine for years, and that could be a good sensation.

A phrase on the 1545 bracelet

I attempted the Squale 1545 on the metal bracelet. It’s how I might order and put on it if I have been to purchase one for myself. The bracelet jogs my memory of the one on my 2004 Rolex Explorer II. It has the identical slight jingly, jangly really feel to it as Rolex bracelets from that period. And that’s completely wonderful.

However there are two locations the place the bracelet reveals the modest worth level of the Squale 1545. First, the tip hyperlinks usually are not nice. The sides of the fake heart hyperlinks on them are too smooth, breaking the phantasm of it being a separate half. This could be a private pet peeve, however I discover that such finish hyperlinks do cheapen the look of a watch. What do you assume?

Second, the clasp has a lip the place your fingernail goes to open it. That lip scratches the bracelet. I see this again and again, even in high-end watches — elements of the clasp that eat into the bracelet. It’s a design flaw that reveals itself inside half-hour of sporting. That being mentioned, on the worth level, that is nonetheless a superb bracelet. Usually, you don’t discover nice bracelets at this worth, so these slight flaws are excusable. Nonetheless, I might be remiss to not report them.

Closing ideas

I’ve completely loved my time with the Squale 1545. It’s a horny on a regular basis watch that feels very stable. Priced at €745 / US$728 on the bracelet and €654 / US$638 on rubber (ex. VAT), it’s superb worth. You get a really well-specced watch from a model with a powerful historical past and credibility within the diving world. I do know many related manufacturers will cost much more merely due to the historic identify on the dial. Squale has not taken that route but, which is admirable.

Personally, I choose the extra outspoken Squale designs. The 1521 is an absolute traditional to me, and the brand new Tremendous Squale is one other one which speaks to me extra. The 1545 feels a bit extra modern, regardless of the ’70s vibe of the dial. So if the opposite Squale choices are a bit too “vintagey” for you, this could possibly be an ideal different. The worth is definitely there, and so is the distinctive Squale identification.

If requested, the Squale 1545 is a watch I might wholeheartedly suggest. I one way or the other really feel it would converse to first-time watch patrons. And I do assume it has loads to supply in that sense. This could possibly be an excellent gateway watch for brand spanking new aficionados. For seasoned collectors, I might definitely see it as a bullet-proof, worry-free vacation watch. What do you assume? Let me know within the feedback.

You can even discover and observe me on Instagram: @time_travelers_journal

Watch specs