Overview
It’s crazy to think that we started Montredo all the way back in 2012. A collective of watch lovers based in Berlin, who wanted to build a better online watch shopping experience for people like us, and in the last decade have delivered more than 25,000 watches to happy customers all over the world.
And now in 2022, we’ve joined forces with Swiss dive watch legends Squale, to produce our first timepiece collaboration – the Montredo x Squale 1521. Available only from Montredo.
Like all watch fans, the Montredo team often talk about what makes the perfect watch, what’s good, what’s bad, and of course, what we would do if one of the watch brands handed over the keys to their workshop and let us build whatever we wanted.
What these conversations show is that everyone at Montredo has different ideas about what they like, and yet we all share a common love for dive watches. Now as you may imagine, there is not a lot of scuba diving in Berlin. And surveying the team, most of us are not PADI certified scuba divers. But there’s something about the functional rugged nature of a dive watch that appeals to each and every one of us – even if the only diving we do is from behind a desk.
A name that came up again and again when we talked about our favourite divers was Squale, whose modern continuation of the iconic 1521 ticks a lot of boxes. It’s simple, elegant, super functional, Swiss made, comes in a variety of cosmetic configurations, and is wrapped up in a 42mm stainless steel case that sits comfortably on everyone’s wrist. Given the keys to Squale’s workshop (and archives!) you could theoretically pick your favourite parts from the last 40 years, or even design some brand new ones, and then use them to make your very own 1521. How much fun would that be?
As it turns out – a lot of fun. Even if Covid meant that we only got to explore the Squale archives and workshop virtually, the team went out of their way to ensure that the first ever Montredo collaboration would be something extra special.
Knowing that most of our dive watches spend their lives on dry land, we wanted the Montredo x Squale 1521 to be a simple, minimalistic, urban interpretation of the reference.
Using the 1521 Militaire, with its solid case back, sapphire crystal and 50ATM water resistance as our starting point, we worked with Squale to create a simplified bezel, unique dial design and customised hand set. Giving the Montredo x Squale 1521 an aesthetic that’s different without being disrespectful to the heritage of this dive icon.
Whilst the changes are subtle, with a stock 1521 and the Montredo 1521 side by side, the difference is clear to see. The stock bezel insert has been replaced with a simple 5 and 15 minute segment count down, the sweep second hand has been substituted for a round lume pipped version from the Squale Matic, and the no-date Militaire dial has been treated to a unique set of stipped back logos found nowhere else in the 1521 range.
The Montredo x Squale 1521 comes fitted with a 20mm black rubber tropic strap that’s ready to get wet, and a luxurious 20mm dark brown leather strap for fun on dry land. The package is rounded out with a black leather Squale branded travel pouch.
Specification
- Reference: 1521Montredo
- Collection: 1521
- Model Name: 1521 Montredo
- Movement: Swiss Automatic
- Calibre: Sellita SW200-1
- Power Reserve: 38 Hours
- Bezel: Uni-Directional, 120 clicks
- Case Size: 42mm
- Lug Width: 20mm
- Dial Colour: Black
- Case Material: Stainless Steel
- Crystal: Scratch Resistant Sapphire Crystal
- Water Resistance: 50 Atmospheres (500m)
Comes with original box, brown leather strap and papers. Has a couple of extremely light scratches, otherwise excellent condition.
