Squale 1521 Sea Shepherd

In a significant union of purpose-driven design and direct-action conservation, Swiss watchmaker Squale has partnered with the marine protection organization Sea Shepherd. The result of this collaboration is the 1521 Sea Shepherd, a limited-edition dive watch created not only for the depths of the ocean but for its very defense. This initiative channels the legacy of a historic dive watch brand towards a critical contemporary mission: funding Sea Shepherd's Operation SISO and its fight against illegal fishing in the Mediterranean.

The new timepiece represents a focused effort to provide tangible support for marine conservation. Released on July 17, 2025, the "1521 Sea Shepherd" Limited Edition is a powerful statement, merging Swiss watchmaking precision with impactful environmental activism. This collaboration will directly contribute to Sea Shepherd’s on-the-ground efforts, as Squale has committed to donating one hundred percent of its profits from the sale of this model to Operation SISO.



Squale’s history is inextricably linked with the sea. Founded in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, by Charles Von Büren in 1959, the brand quickly established itself as a specialist in professional-grade dive watches. Von Büren’s passion was for creating robust, reliable, and highly water-resistant watch cases that could withstand the immense pressures of deep-sea exploration. This dedication to quality and functionality earned Squale a formidable reputation among the diving community.

During the 1960s and 1970s, the golden era of scuba diving, Squale was not only producing its own line of timepieces but was also a crucial supplier of cases and components to at least thirty other watch brands, including some of the most respected names in the industry. The presence of the Squale shark logo on a dial, often at the 6 o'clock position, became a recognized mark of quality, signifying that the watch was equipped with a genuinely reliable, water-resistant case.

The brand's connection to the underwater world was further cemented by its association with legendary free divers. Icons of the sport like Giuliana "Jolly" Treleani, Jean Tapu, Enzo Maiorca, and Jacques Mayol trusted Squale watches on their record-breaking dives. This real-world testing by elite athletes underscored the brand’s credentials. Today, Squale remains an independent, family-owned brand, continuing its legacy of producing authentic dive watches that honor their historical roots while employing modern Swiss manufacturing.

Partnering with Squale is Sea Shepherd, an international non-profit organization that stands on the front lines of marine wildlife defense. Unlike many conservation groups that focus on research or policy, Sea Shepherd is known for its direct-action campaigns. Its vessels and volunteers actively intervene to expose and confront illegal activities at sea, making them a formidable force against those who would exploit the oceans for profit.



The primary mission of Sea Shepherd is to combat illegal, unreported, and unregulated (IUU) fishing. This scourge of the seas is responsible for devastating fish populations, destroying marine habitats, and threatening the livelihoods of legitimate fishers. Sea Shepherd's campaigns aim to halt these destructive practices and bring poachers to justice, protecting fragile ecosystems and the countless species that depend on them.

At the heart of this specific collaboration is Operation SISO. This vital campaign, launched by Sea Shepherd Italy, targets destructive and illegal fishing operations along the Tyrrhenian coast of the Mediterranean Sea. Now in its eighth year, Operation SISO is a sustained and focused effort conducted in close collaboration with the Italian Coast Guard to safeguard one of Europe’s most vulnerable marine environments.

The impact of Operation SISO is tangible and significant. Active since 2018, the campaign has logged over 15,000 volunteer hours in 2024 alone, resulting in a remarkable 70% reduction in illegal longline fishing in the Tyrrhenian Sea. In a single month, May 2025, the team successfully removed 10 kilometers of deadly fishing gear, saving dozens of marine animals, including loggerhead turtles and tuna. The campaign is a testament to the power of dedicated volunteer work and strategic partnerships.

The Squale 1521 Sea Shepherd watch itself is a tool built for the mission, limited to just 100 individually numbered pieces. Its design is both functional and symbolic, reflecting the spirit of the collaboration. The watch is based on Squale's iconic 1521 model, a long-standing favorite among dive watch enthusiasts for its comfort, durability, and classic design.



Visually, the watch makes an immediate impression with its vibrant, high-contrast color scheme. The polished stainless steel case provides a brilliant frame for the stark black dial and the unmissable flash of the orange bezel. This color combination is not merely for aesthetics; orange is a color long associated with maritime safety and rescue equipment, making it a fitting choice for a watch tied to a conservation mission.

The case construction is a highlight, featuring the classic "von Büren" design that Squale is famous for. Measuring 42 mm in diameter with a lug-to-lug length of 48 mm and a thickness of 12.5 mm, the case is engineered for wearability. Its fluid, ergonomic curves allow it to sit comfortably on the wrist, a characteristic that has made the 1521 a beloved model for decades. The case is machined from 316L stainless steel, the marine-grade standard, and features a fully polished finish that catches the light.

Functionality is paramount in a dive watch, and the 1521 Sea Shepherd delivers. It is equipped with a screw-in crown and a solid, screw-in caseback, which are essential for achieving its impressive water resistance rating of 50 atmospheres, or 500 meters. The caseback is specially engraved for this limited edition, featuring the individual serial number of each piece, marking its place in this exclusive run of 100 watches.

A defining feature of this limited edition is its monodirectional rotating bezel. For the first time in Squale's history, the brand has fitted the 1521 with a bezel insert made from aluminum and rendered in a brilliant, saturated orange. This bezel, which rotates in a single direction to prevent accidental adjustments that could miscalculate dive time, is a critical safety feature and a bold design statement.



The dial is designed for maximum legibility under all conditions. It features a matte black finish that eliminates reflections and provides the perfect high-contrast backdrop for the hands and markers. The indexes are printed and, along with the hands, are generously coated with SuperLuminova C3, a phosphorescent material that glows brightly in the dark, ensuring readability in the ocean's murky depths or during a night dive. At the 6 o'clock position, the dial proudly displays the iconic Sea Shepherd insignia—a stylized skull above a crossed trident and shepherd's crook—a symbol of defiance against ocean exploitation. A practical date window is positioned at 3 o'clock.

Powering the 1521 Sea Shepherd is the reliable Swiss-made Sellita SW 200-1 automatic movement. This workhorse caliber is renowned for its robustness and accuracy. The version used in this watch is the "Elabore" grade, which indicates that it has been adjusted in more positions for better timekeeping performance compared to the standard version. The movement operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz), which results in a smooth, sweeping motion of the second hand. It contains 26 jewels to reduce friction and boasts a power reserve of 38 hours.

Protecting the dial is a flat sapphire crystal. Sapphire is one of the hardest materials on earth, second only to diamond, making it exceptionally resistant to scratching. To further enhance clarity and reduce glare, the crystal is treated with an anti-reflective coating on its underside. This ensures that the dial can be read easily from any angle, without distracting reflections.

Completing the package is a rugged and practical NATO-style strap. Made from a durable fabric, the strap is presented in a black and orange striped pattern that perfectly complements the watch's bezel and overall aesthetic. NATO straps are favored by divers and military personnel for their security; because the strap passes behind both spring bars, the watch will remain secured to the wrist even if one spring bar fails. The fabric is also comfortable, lightweight, and dries quickly after being submerged. The strap is 20 mm wide at the lugs, matching the case's proportions.



The impact of purchasing this watch is direct and transparent. Each of the 100 timepieces sold will generate funds that go straight to Sea Shepherd's operations. This financial support enables their team of volunteers to continue their critical surveillance missions, their difficult and often dangerous work of recovering illegal nets and fishing gear, and their legal actions against environmental crimes. As Andrea Morello, President of Sea Shepherd Italy, stated, "It’s a partnership that strengthens our presence in the Mediterranean Sea... this watch will help us remove even more traps from the sea."

The Squale 1521 Sea Shepherd Limited Edition will be available for purchase starting July 17, 2025, at a price of $1,475.00. Given the extremely limited production run of only 100 numbered pieces, this watch is a rare opportunity for collectors and conservation supporters. It will be sold exclusively through Squale's official website, squale.ch, ensuring a direct line from the manufacturer to the supporter. Squale has also committed to keeping all purchasers informed about the campaign's progress and the results of the initiative.

Case: 42 mm diameter, 12.5 mm thickness, 48 mm lug-to-lug, 20 mm lug width. Polished 316L stainless steel construction with a screw-in crown and screw-in caseback. Water resistance rated to 50 ATM (500 meters). Topped with a flat sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating. Features a monodirectional bezel with an orange aluminum insert.

Movement: Sellita SW 200-1 automatic movement, Elabore grade. Features 26 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 A/h (4 Hz), and a 38-hour power reserve.

Dial: Matte black color with printed indexes. Luminescence is SuperLuminova C3. Features the Sea Shepherd logo at the 6 o'clock position and a date window at 3 o'clock.

Strap: Black and orange fabric NATO strap with a 20 mm lug width and a 20 mm steel buckle.

Price: $1,475.00

Reference Number: SSHEPHERD.NBO

Notes: A limited edition of 100 individually numbered pieces. This model features the first orange aluminum bezel in Squale's history. 100% of Squale's profits from the sale are donated to Sea Shepherd's Operation SISO. Available for purchase starting today, July 17, 2025.