This might not be a Homage watch at all... The 1960 Squale 25 ATMOS looks just like this so it would only have about a year to homage the Subs case shape? Since the Sub didn't get the lug guards until 1959??? Also the same case shape was used by Blancpain (case was made by Sqaule and had double branding)
I think over all the product is of high quality for the price point. I just wish they had continued to maintain a little bit more of difference between the 1545 and the Rolex sub by continuing to use the broad sword hands instead of releasing these new models with the Mercedes hands, not it is a straight up copy
I have a Squale 20 Atmos ceramic Mk2, which is a Milsub tribute watch with the broadsword hands. I think that Squale have made a near perfect watch with little to complain about at this price point. The watch offers great value and I like not having an object of high value on my wrist. I really enjoy the Milsub look in a modern watch with an easily serviced movement. I also own a 1545 grey dial/grey bezel and a 1521 Marina Militare and I have become a bit of a Squale fan.
I have a Y1545 30 Atmos. It's one of my favorite watches, despite some flaws. It came new from the Squale running 25s fast pr day, the bezel has very low grip and is very high hard to turn. The lum is not great. And as you mentioned, the bracelet is massive. The links are 4x10mm, making it, by far, the heaviest bracelet out of all my watches. It should be said that the clasp (the two linked folding parts) are great, a short 38mm with a good curvature, the clasp really hugs the wrist nicely. As opposed to many Submariner-homages: they are usually up to 42mm, and dont have all the much curve to them.
Again, not a fan of the Sub, but their 1521 is definitely something I may save up for in the future. The clasp is definitely disappointing. Thanks for the great review! Oh and I realize I never asked, but what is your wrist size if you don’t mind sharing.
Re the case-finishing: This could be deliberate as the 5-digit Submariner has a coarser brushing on the case than what Rolex do today and the case-finishing didn't really match the end-link finishing on the original, either. Gotta remember that back then, the Sub was still a bit more "tool-y" than it is today. Like many other Sub look-alikes, this appears a bit too "chunky" to be a true 5-digit homage. Rehaut is too tall/prominent and has that weird, almost funnel-like effect when you hold the watch at a 90 degree angle to your line of sight. The rehaut should not be visible at that angle. The case should also be a bit thinner - this one's claimed at 13mm, just like my Steinhart O1 39. I've compared that one directly to a genuine, mid 90s 5-digit Submariner and the Rolex wears much better and is markedly thinner/less tall. It also looks a bit more discreet on my wrist (I thought), even though the Steinhart has a slightly smaller case diameter. Also: I would prefer an aluminium insert on this sort of watch. Lastly, the Squale's case-back seems to protrude less than on the Steinhart, but more than on the Rolex. That chunky back on the Ocean One is one of the reasons why the Steinhart wears more like the watch is sitting on top of your wrist, not like it's "sinking into" it like the Rolex does. I'd guess the Squale falls somewhere between the two in this regard. Points I like: The handset looks more appropriate and, to my eye, more "elegant" than on the Steinhart and is closer to the original Sub (hands seem a bit slimmer than on the Steinhart). I also like the printing on the dial near the 6oc, which gives the Squale a rather unique look. The indices look taller and much more like properly applied ones. The indices on the Steinhart are super flat and are either pressed into the dial from the rear, or are applied, but very thin, metal plates - and they certainly lack the dimension of the Rolex' or the Squale's indices. I prefer the case's side-profile to the Steinhart's. The Squale is much closer to the original 5-digit case here as well, with much more of a downturn/contour on the lugs. The Steinhart's lugs are almost completely flat. Neutral point .. or simply an observation: I've always thought that Squale clasps look suspiciously similar to the one Steinhart use - so I wonder if both brands are using the same Swiss factory - or if they simply source their bracelets from the same Chinese manufacturer.. :) Speaking of China: If you can live without "Swiss Made" on your dial, you should definitely check out "higher end" Chinese homages like the Cronos or some San Martin models. Those are typically much closer to the originals WRT features (like lacquered dials, tall indices with lots of lume in them, on-the-fly adjustable clasps, etc) for way lower prices. Some of them are even available with SW200-movements, but I'd probably go for the PT5000 to keep cost down while still retaining that sweet 4Hz sweep. Only bummer is that these things will typically homage the newer Subs - I'm still looking for an affordable, faithful 5-digit homage and I haven't found one yet. Overall, I think I would've gone with some sort of Squale-Sub if they were easier to find. The reason why I started off with Steinhart is that there happens to be a brick-and-mortar store about 40 minutes away from where I live, which is the only authorized Steinhart-retailer (that I'm aware of) in my country (Germany). Being able to see these things "in the flesh" makes purchase decisions so much easier.
Thanks for sharing your insights. I still have a lot to learn about vintage Rolex. The most important thing to me is case thickness and narrower lugs. I like the way the Squale case wears (though it would be nice if it were thinner). The Steinhart clasp seems quite a bit more substantial than the Squale's to me. I do like the San Martin homages, I did a review of one in this series. Thanks again for your comments.
@@worthwhilewatches Interesting re the clasps. I can only judge based on pics/vids when it comes to the one used on the Squale. I *think* Steinhart have slightly upgraded theirs right around the time when I bought my first one - more specifically, the outer portion on the Steinhart ones is a bit thicker these days. Not sure if it's still pressed or if they're now using milled outers, but the clasp on the 42mm OVM I bought in 2019/2020 (and which must've been sitting on the retailer's shelf for a bit before that) was flimsier than on any of the other Steinharts I bought after that one. Maybe Squale are still using that older, thinner version? Not sure. I think you're not wrong emphasizing thickness (or lack thereof). IMO it is quite important to how "premium" a watch looks and feels on wrist and it is one area where homages (especially Chinese ones) really need to catch up.
Isn’t the Ginualt ocean rover a faithful 5 digit homage case wise ? As is tiger concepts watches and WMT offer cases or did that emulate or offer a facsimile of a 5 digit case .
Well so far this is a no brainer for me. It's the San Martin all the way. I absolutely love Titanium so that's a big plus for me. Then when you throw in the fantastic on the fly clasp, domed sapphire crystal, no date dial, helium escape valve, optional Sellita SW200 movement and of course the price, San Martin is definitely my favorite.
@daleyfamily2179 Well to begin with, all these watches are ripping off Rolex. Even Squale! You do understand that all the parts for a Squale watch are made in China and then the watch is assembled by Squale. Both the Squale and the San Martin have the same Swiss made Selita movement. The San Martin though is made of grade 5 Titanium, has a glide lock clasp and a helium escape valve. I'll take the San Martin over the Squale, which is under new ownership by the way, anyday.
Chronos makes a better watch than squale for sure. The only thing better is the movement, and it's slightly better. The difference jn price better the nh35 and the sw200 is like $150 and yet the squale is $500 more. It's definitely not a worthwhile difference for a watch with almost zero original design, and that's essentially a straight homage.
The other Squale advantage is heritage. They were making 25 Atmos watches that look like this back in the 1960s. But yes, the Chinese brands are a close match in quality for less $.
@worthwhilewatches Agreed, it's always a homage, imo though, and I'm not really comfortable paying that money for a homage. I respect the brand, but I wasn't impressed with the one I handled. It's still a nice watch and does have history in the name, even though the brand isn't the same as the legacy squale. That's the beauty though, we each can buy what we like and there's no bad choices :) Cheers mate!
I have had the maxi dial version about 5 years ago and it was the most disappointing purchase ever. It felt cheap as hell. Chinese have done it 10x better. I have a Steeldive sub homage for like $50 and the quality is much better than this crap. Go steinhart if you want a cheap Swiss made.
This might not be a Homage watch at all... The 1960 Squale 25 ATMOS looks just like this so it would only have about a year to homage the Subs case shape? Since the Sub didn't get the lug guards until 1959???
Also the same case shape was used by Blancpain (case was made by Sqaule and had double branding)
Yeah, it's not as clear cut with this one. But no matter the history, I'd still call it a Sub-style watch in today's market.
I think over all the product is of high quality for the price point. I just wish they had continued to maintain a little bit more of difference between the 1545 and the Rolex sub by continuing to use the broad sword hands instead of releasing these new models with the Mercedes hands, not it is a straight up copy
I have a Squale 20 Atmos ceramic Mk2, which is a Milsub tribute watch with the broadsword hands. I think that Squale have made a near perfect watch with little to complain about at this price point. The watch offers great value and I like not having an object of high value on my wrist. I really enjoy the Milsub look in a modern watch with an easily serviced movement. I also own a 1545 grey dial/grey bezel and a 1521 Marina Militare and I have become a bit of a Squale fan.
Very cool! Squale has some interesting watches. Thanks for watching!
I have a Y1545 30 Atmos. It's one of my favorite watches, despite some flaws. It came new from the Squale running 25s fast pr day, the bezel has very low grip and is very high hard to turn. The lum is not great. And as you mentioned, the bracelet is massive. The links are 4x10mm, making it, by far, the heaviest bracelet out of all my watches. It should be said that the clasp (the two linked folding parts) are great, a short 38mm with a good curvature, the clasp really hugs the wrist nicely. As opposed to many Submariner-homages: they are usually up to 42mm, and dont have all the much curve to them.
Yeah, even with its shortcomings, I would still wear my Squale if only it had half links! Thanks for watching!
I have this watch and it is my favorite everyday wearer.
Just buy it.
I think I've already seen it a couple of years ago... but I didn't remember it anymore.. nice ^^
Again, not a fan of the Sub, but their 1521 is definitely something I may save up for in the future. The clasp is definitely disappointing. Thanks for the great review! Oh and I realize I never asked, but what is your wrist size if you don’t mind sharing.
6.75" (17cm) There are some nice looking 1521s. Thanks for watching!
Re the case-finishing: This could be deliberate as the 5-digit Submariner has a coarser brushing on the case than what Rolex do today and the case-finishing didn't really match the end-link finishing on the original, either. Gotta remember that back then, the Sub was still a bit more "tool-y" than it is today.
Like many other Sub look-alikes, this appears a bit too "chunky" to be a true 5-digit homage. Rehaut is too tall/prominent and has that weird, almost funnel-like effect when you hold the watch at a 90 degree angle to your line of sight. The rehaut should not be visible at that angle. The case should also be a bit thinner - this one's claimed at 13mm, just like my Steinhart O1 39. I've compared that one directly to a genuine, mid 90s 5-digit Submariner and the Rolex wears much better and is markedly thinner/less tall. It also looks a bit more discreet on my wrist (I thought), even though the Steinhart has a slightly smaller case diameter. Also: I would prefer an aluminium insert on this sort of watch.
Lastly, the Squale's case-back seems to protrude less than on the Steinhart, but more than on the Rolex. That chunky back on the Ocean One is one of the reasons why the Steinhart wears more like the watch is sitting on top of your wrist, not like it's "sinking into" it like the Rolex does. I'd guess the Squale falls somewhere between the two in this regard.
Points I like: The handset looks more appropriate and, to my eye, more "elegant" than on the Steinhart and is closer to the original Sub (hands seem a bit slimmer than on the Steinhart). I also like the printing on the dial near the 6oc, which gives the Squale a rather unique look.
The indices look taller and much more like properly applied ones. The indices on the Steinhart are super flat and are either pressed into the dial from the rear, or are applied, but very thin, metal plates - and they certainly lack the dimension of the Rolex' or the Squale's indices.
I prefer the case's side-profile to the Steinhart's. The Squale is much closer to the original 5-digit case here as well, with much more of a downturn/contour on the lugs. The Steinhart's lugs are almost completely flat.
Neutral point .. or simply an observation: I've always thought that Squale clasps look suspiciously similar to the one Steinhart use - so I wonder if both brands are using the same Swiss factory - or if they simply source their bracelets from the same Chinese manufacturer.. :)
Speaking of China: If you can live without "Swiss Made" on your dial, you should definitely check out "higher end" Chinese homages like the Cronos or some San Martin models. Those are typically much closer to the originals WRT features (like lacquered dials, tall indices with lots of lume in them, on-the-fly adjustable clasps, etc) for way lower prices. Some of them are even available with SW200-movements, but I'd probably go for the PT5000 to keep cost down while still retaining that sweet 4Hz sweep. Only bummer is that these things will typically homage the newer Subs - I'm still looking for an affordable, faithful 5-digit homage and I haven't found one yet.
Overall, I think I would've gone with some sort of Squale-Sub if they were easier to find. The reason why I started off with Steinhart is that there happens to be a brick-and-mortar store about 40 minutes away from where I live, which is the only authorized Steinhart-retailer (that I'm aware of) in my country (Germany). Being able to see these things "in the flesh" makes purchase decisions so much easier.
Thanks for sharing your insights. I still have a lot to learn about vintage Rolex. The most important thing to me is case thickness and narrower lugs. I like the way the Squale case wears (though it would be nice if it were thinner). The Steinhart clasp seems quite a bit more substantial than the Squale's to me. I do like the San Martin homages, I did a review of one in this series. Thanks again for your comments.
@@worthwhilewatches Interesting re the clasps. I can only judge based on pics/vids when it comes to the one used on the Squale. I *think* Steinhart have slightly upgraded theirs right around the time when I bought my first one - more specifically, the outer portion on the Steinhart ones is a bit thicker these days. Not sure if it's still pressed or if they're now using milled outers, but the clasp on the 42mm OVM I bought in 2019/2020 (and which must've been sitting on the retailer's shelf for a bit before that) was flimsier than on any of the other Steinharts I bought after that one. Maybe Squale are still using that older, thinner version? Not sure.
I think you're not wrong emphasizing thickness (or lack thereof). IMO it is quite important to how "premium" a watch looks and feels on wrist and it is one area where homages (especially Chinese ones) really need to catch up.
Isn’t the Ginualt ocean rover a faithful 5 digit homage case wise ? As is tiger concepts watches and WMT offer cases or did that emulate or offer a facsimile of a 5 digit case .
Tudor black bay??
Well so far this is a no brainer for me. It's the San Martin all the way. I absolutely love Titanium so that's a big plus for me. Then when you throw in the fantastic on the fly clasp, domed sapphire crystal, no date dial, helium escape valve, optional Sellita SW200 movement and of course the price, San Martin is definitely my favorite.
The San Martin is an amazing value for sure. Thanks for watching!
Not lol. Yeah I want to look like I own Rolex but wont by a solid brand so I go an buy a crappy Chinese knock off lol. SMH
@daleyfamily2179 Well to begin with, all these watches are ripping off Rolex. Even Squale! You do understand that all the parts for a Squale watch are made in China and then the watch is assembled by Squale. Both the Squale and the San Martin have the same Swiss made Selita movement. The San Martin though is made of grade 5 Titanium, has a glide lock clasp and a helium escape valve. I'll take the San Martin over the Squale, which is under new ownership by the way, anyday.
@@daleyfamily2179 huh amazing how 12 year olds can jump on the internet and add their 2 cents.
Chronos makes a better watch than squale for sure. The only thing better is the movement, and it's slightly better. The difference jn price better the nh35 and the sw200 is like $150 and yet the squale is $500 more.
It's definitely not a worthwhile difference for a watch with almost zero original design, and that's essentially a straight homage.
The other Squale advantage is heritage. They were making 25 Atmos watches that look like this back in the 1960s. But yes, the Chinese brands are a close match in quality for less $.
@worthwhilewatches Agreed, it's always a homage, imo though, and I'm not really comfortable paying that money for a homage. I respect the brand, but I wasn't impressed with the one I handled. It's still a nice watch and does have history in the name, even though the brand isn't the same as the legacy squale. That's the beauty though, we each can buy what we like and there's no bad choices :)
Cheers mate!
Ginault?
Good guess!
I have had the maxi dial version about 5 years ago and it was the most disappointing purchase ever. It felt cheap as hell. Chinese have done it 10x better. I have a Steeldive sub homage for like $50 and the quality is much better than this crap. Go steinhart if you want a cheap Swiss made.