Most Affordable Certified Chronometer Diver? Squale 1521 COSC 500M Watch

[@altal2993]

Squale are so iconic with such history and yet so under the radar. I have 3 😮 lol.... they are almost a watch collectors watch if you know what I mean.

[@mariopinder242]

My favorite watch 1521 blue polished. I haven’t taken it off since I got it. Here in the Bahamas 🇧🇸 that blue dial shines like a gem 💎. Love this watch! Remember guys, you cannot beat the customer service that Marc, Ryan and the rest of the team offers.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks Mario! We are glad you're happy!

[@speedyfreak9266]

Yes! I have the polished case on my 1521, however I am just 'smitten' with the brushed and polished case finishing on these...stunning!

[@jayjay9932]

It's the brushing on the lugs and rehaut that really made the difference from the regular versions. It really highlights the watch's beautiful shape. I hope they also finish the regular ones the same.

[@EyeSky-d4c]

Just received a Square 1521 COSC Ocean and wow! As people say, it does wear smaller and I really like it on my 7.5" wrist. If you were thinking about getting one, let this be the nudge you needed.

[@2K9s]

They’re underrated watches with tremendous history

[@GeeMood]

Squale is really changing things up, really nice. I like the Militaire Blasted, no date no double branding. Would have been all over their Skin Diver as well, if it wasn't 38mm but 41mm-42mm. Great video as always Marc.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for watching.

[@Ray.J]

The blasted blue with leather strap is killer. Blasted makes more sense than polished in my opinion, but both look great.

[@islandwatch]

They both look amazing!

[@davidrosenblum2178]

Oh, that is handsome. I’m pleased that they didn’t overbrand it like the traditional 1521 (in my opinion). That always held me back. And at that price it would be the least expensive COSC-certified piece in my collection. Hmmm…. 🤔 Update… trigger pulled! Thanks Marc!

[@johnbonanni1731]

I recently purchased the Squale Montauk (MTK-11) and very peased with the quality and tropic strap. Looking to purchase another watch from Long Island Watch, Thank You Marc!

[@vktravellog1242]

Love that they are coming out with the COSC however the price seems pretty steep! You can get a 1521 for 925 for non COSC and 1600 for a COSC. I rather buy two non COSC 1521 for only $250 more. Just my thoughts

[@islandwatch]

No worries, your thoughts are valid!

[@johnbyrley3925]

FWIW my non-COSC 1521 has always kept time well within COSC parameters.

[@cdb5001]

I've had the pre-COSC 1521 for 2 years. In that time, I've had to had it repaired twice for the crown not winding. Each time, Marc took care of me at no cost. Marc and his business are the best. The Squale has been a tank other than the crown issue, but it was a bit annoying the issue came up twice. Still one of my 2 most worn watches in the last year or so.

[@islandwatch]

Sorry to hear about that :( Glad you still like it!

[@cdb5001]

@@islandwatch apology not accepted Marc. That's because you owe me no apology, both you and Squale handled the situation brilliantly. I think it's a bit of a natural issue with some deep-set 4 o'clock crowns. But I've had the watch back for 8 months now and it's back to its brilliant self. It's a tank, handles any swimming or diving easily (wore it to an Olympic pool in Switzerland last year), and is surprisingly more accurate than any of my Seiko's. Thank you Marc, if I had an endless budget I'd be looking over your Zodiac offerings, but the spouse has set a pause on all watch purchases this year. All the best.

[@zman8340]

Got to be honest here handled a few squales and there were not great . Even had one I returned to Marc because I was so disappointed. As always Marcs service was beyond reproach. It’s just left me questioning the brand going forward as I do love some of their designs.

[@cdb5001]

@@zman8340 care to elaborate on why they weren't great?

[@ajh5407]

Love seeing an offering with a higher grade movement.

[@GapBahnDirk]

I have plenty of watches, but if Squale made a no date version, I would have to buy one 😁. A great diver! 👍

[@hugejohnson5011]

Great to see you pay some attention to Squale. My 1545 GMT is one of my most worn watches. I love them all!

[@islandwatch]

Thank you

[@jameshoward9700]

Nice! I love my Squale 1521 - one of the comfiest diver ever. Great value and quality. Sad to say, but for the money, they blow Seiko out the water now. Not so keen on all the homage toot, but I guess it sells.

[@islandwatch]

It sure does.

[@takethecurseOFFwashingmachine]

Unless I’m imaging it, I feel like I’ve seen the 1521 with an orange dial before, and it looked awesome.

[@cdb5001]

You might be thinking of a Doxa.

[@islandwatch]

There was, you are correct. And we carried it when they made it.

[@peoplewithpixels]

I've chewed my desk since the blue one was announced, hoping to see it, so thanks Marc for this video! I'm curious about something and would appreciate your input on this. Why do most dive watches over 200-300m have a helium escape valve, or special case construction like the Seiko "Marinemaster" but this 500m diver watch has neither? Would this truly work in a saturation dive environment?

[@toolsaddiction]

If you do a saturation dive and dont have a helium escape valve you run the risk of the watch crystal to pop or crack or other damages during decompression. 500m is not the depth you dive but the dynamic water pressure you generate on the watch while moving underwater 200m is fine for 99% of the dives most humans will do in their life. Even during a saturated dive, if the watch is not exposed to air / helium ie: decompression in water as you slowly climb back up there the watch should be fine. If you live in a bell its an other story

[@TheGrenadier97]

Good question.

[@islandwatch]

I've sort of covered this in the past. So, no, you could not do saturation diving with this. The helium runs the risk of expanding and popping the crystal out.

[@peoplewithpixels]

@@islandwatch Ok so pool and cocktails for this one. Thanks Marc for replying.

[@samleary2733]

As if I didn’t already want a 1521 bad enough

[@islandwatch]

Now you got more choices.

[@altal2993]

Do it....... I got the polished blue 18 months ago, it is amazing and to be fair a watch for life...

[@samleary2733]

@@altal2993 I have a 1545 ferrovia and it was astonishing how much better it is than my Japanese watches(not that I was disappointed with them, just the squale is that much better for similar money). I’ll have a 1521 in the future. Would love to see the brushing trickle down to the non COSC models.

[@altal2993]

@Sam Leary Nice, what colour you get?

[@samleary2733]

@@altal2993 it’s the standard black dial and bezel that come on the 1545-ORIG but the handset is similar to the 1521 with the orange minute hand. It’s an homage to the blancpain Y1545. Between the quality and the history, not sure I could like it any more

[@willjr2520]

Please make a bracelet for the 1521.

[@rhettbaldwin2148]

Thanks Marc! ... have been wanting to see a review of the new blue COSC! There has always been something magical about the blue 1521s. Stoked to see Squale are refining! Applied indicies, check, COSC, check, lumed bezel check. I do miss the botle opener shark logo, and the lume pip is gone on COSC, boo. The bezel looks like a slightly different shade of blue on COSC version?, is it?, or is it just position in studio light? (a notoriously hard to photograph blue, such an irridesent dynamic blue). I have the blasted variant with the tripple branding, 2 x on the dial + the engraving on the case side, which I personally love. The ble with blasting is so cool, although I do fear the day it gets really banged up as there no fixing the blasting. So having held all 3x blue variants in the metal, which is your favourite aesthetics wise? ... from memory you have the polished, but if you could have only 1 now, which on do you go for? Ripper of a video as always, much appreciated!

[@jazzman5598]

Fine vid Marc. Thanks

[@johnsrabe]

1:51 Yeah no need to keep a dive watch dry. You should be able to store it in a glass of water.

[@islandwatch]

Indeed!

[@ryankutzbach9142]

Please make an oyster style bracelet for the 1521 series since Squale won't give us one!

[@islandwatch]

Maybe!

[@guarovj]

I don’t really care about COSC certification, but for me those little details: brush finish, applied indexes and lume bezel are worth the extra bucks.

[@jamesc7720]

Stunning watch. Will you ever stock the 101 Atmos?

[@threefive2072]

hi, is the black dial a matte finish?

[@Andrew.W75]

What watch do you wear when scuba diving or snorkeling Marc?

[@islandwatch]

Seiko Monster!

[@megasoid]

Beautiful watches, not sure which one I want. I have a soft spot for blue.

[@islandwatch]

Don't we all!

[@paolotosatti2623]

Ciao guardati il diver etarios e fammi sapere!

[@tonyvera-cruz6422]

Hi Mark, I enjoyed the review. What's the chance of Squale eventually releasing a 1521 COSC in a bead blasted case?

[@jodysilvia2]

Squale has a few different variations of the same model, something for everyone.

[@islandwatch]

True Joe, thank you.

[@anonymouswatchguy4223]

Love Squale these are great

[@jefferyneu3915]

Beautiful!❤️

[@paolotosatti2623]

Ciao aspetto una nuova versione del modello galeazzi!!!

[@jefferyneu3915]

I have a dry box, but I don’t keep my dive watch in it. It is used for things I don’t want to get wet. If my watch can’t get wet, it will never go with me on a dive boat!😇

[@johndudley5761]

Does AR stand for Arnold Rothstein ?

[@Trapvision3D]

I wouldn't necessarily need to spend the extra $600, but as my obsession for watches change, this may become an option in the near future.

[@islandwatch]

Thank you

[@altal2993]

Definitely a step up here. The applied markers and lumed bezzel, very cool

[@robedmunds7163]

Would like to see a ceramic bezel at that price

[@islandwatch]

I can't disagree.

[@johnsrabe]

The blue is pretty but the black is sleek.

[@islandwatch]

Agreed. I'm a fan of the blue, though

[@johnsrabe]

@@islandwatch With you it’s blue, with Random Rob it’s orange, and it’s black and gold with Jody. I’m sure all the microbrands have this list on a Post-It in their PR departments! ;-)

[@user-kp1ei7mn3x]

Tritium dial watch?

[@rutheri]

My lord they're gorgeous

[@islandwatch]

thanks Ian

[@67NewEngland]

- Does anyone know of a bracelet made to fit the 1521 ?

[@altal2993]

Mine has a mesh bracelet bought with it.

[@zillsburyy1]

TGV's #1 ????

[@MrKreationsHD]

Does the COSC version have applied indexes, or are they merely painted? Never mind, just got to the part in the video where you mention this. Thank you!

[@islandwatch]

:)

[@lgroves336]

The movement must keep time within an average rate of -4/+6 seconds per day

[@waynesellers4078]

Depending on where you are in the world Christopher Ward may have a cosc diver cheaper than this, there are 4 around this price depending on options.

[@islandwatch]

Thanks for that, didn't know

[@waynesellers4078]

@@islandwatch they have the c60 elite, c60 Lympstone, c65 Dartmouth and the bronze aquitaine but taxes may make the difference as they are £1000+

[@hughming]

Very attractive watch. I wish it has no date. In fact I wish all of 1521 have no date.

[@Libertà_sulla_vita]

I wonder what it costs to have COSC test each unit.

[@islandwatch]

I actually wonder the same thing.

[@Davis18361]

Flossy Carter looking background

[@roadgent7921]

F91W is an alternative. 😊

[@rickyhou7684]

If only they release a version without the offset Squale logo.

[@scottsj4625]

Not affordable for me. For some watches, you can regulate yourself if you have a time grapher or whatever that device is called that gives readouts on the movement. COSC does cost for someone to regulate but I don't think it is worth the extra money they are asking. Just my opinion. If you don't mind quartz there are watches that are losing or gaining a few seconds a year out there.

[@islandwatch]

Very true, thanks Scott.

[@stevehenrytagami4709]

Surely Formex is the cheapest certified chronometer diver ?

[@islandwatch]

This is less than the Reef, far less.

[@kennybacchus1488]

Most. Affordable certified. Chronometer diver? Square. 1521

[@axmajpayne]

Most affordable certified chronometer diver? Not by a long shot. Christopher Ward has multiple that beat it in price by several hundred dollars.

[@islandwatch]

Thank you, I'll have to look.

[@thetruthhurts7500]

This guy has A face made for radio

[@robvale7692]

Squale for sure, is one of the best dive watches out there. I would buy a fifth Squale, but I want to hold my money for that sweet new HugoMaster + Islander colab. Take my money 💳 💵 💵 💵

[@islandwatch]

LOL, ok!

[@jwags24]

BRING BACK THE FISH BRANDING! 😃

[@olafvidar9315]

ETA clone movement. That's a 800.00 watch.

[@whatsindansgarage2542]

You don't need a certified diver for your deskdiving needs... Just sayin...

[@tancreddehauteville764]

$1,600 is not great value. No thanks.

[@matthewgates4130]

Well,I got the Swiss bug 🪲 Do these stay in stock for long? So gotta say goodbye to the Seiko Sports collection among others.😂

[@islandwatch]

They should stay in!

[@MsJosh917]

This is funny. Rolex adjusted for inflation from the 1950s cost around the same price. I would consider this a more of a modern Rolex than nowadays.