BATTLE ROYALE - FIGHT 1
Does collecting vintage Squale make sense? Here we chuck one example in the ring against a similar watch and find out the truth...
I aim to publish a few of these Battle Royale mini-features. And, while there is plenty of scope for some fudged fights and rigged rumbles against watches that probably shouldn't be put in the ring together, I thought I'd kick off with a battle between brothers.
In the ring for this inaugural fight; it's the Squale grail - the badass Blancpain 'Civilian' - Vs a literal Squale heavyweight - the so-called 'FF96'.
A huge "thank you" must go out to the two owners of these fine vintage dive watches for their help in providing images and wisdom. The Blancpain belongs to @watch.friendly, while the Squale is owned by @j.bjr - check them both out on Insta.
Getting the obvious bit out of the way first, both these here pieces were made by Squale. Or to be slightly more accurate, made for Squale. The fat Blancpain was a small order early 80's creation sold to the Germans along with a batch of mil. spec. 'BUND' watches for a specialist military dive unit, while the chunky Squale was available throughout the 80's and into the early 90's (right up until you know what!) through their usual channels and with various brands emblazoned on the 'militare' dial (so called due to the bold, high-build lume batton markers originally specified on the BUND).
Both also share similar specifications. They both feature a 41mm uni-directional bezel stuffed with an acrylic insert. They both have 40.5mm wide cases (if measured from the flat surface on the crown side to the widest part opposite). And both are around 16.5mm tall, with a lug-to-lug reach a snick over 48mm. I mean, what with it wearing a Von branded crown, it is hard to identify which watch is pictured above (it's the Blancpain Civi', by the way).
It's worth noting that the military version of the Blancpain, the BUND, does feature a few differences - most notable beyond the sterile bezel insert are the drilled lugs and bi-directional bezel.
Heck, both even run similar 25j ETA automatics (although the Squale was also available with a quartz option that at the time was considered an upgrade). However, the Blancpain, for your monies, gets a swanky rotor on its auto proudly marked with the 'Rayville' brand (just as you will see on the casebacks of the 'No Rads' Squale recently released with AWCo using NOS Blancpain cases they found in storage).
Flipping these flippin' heavy units over reveals one more small difference; the Squale features the now ubiquitous 'shark in the sea' engraving with the statement 'Professional' standing loud and proud; while the Blancpain is a far more German affair. Way less flamboyant and shouty, the Civilian carries engravings so fine they will probably be mostly buffed away if the watch has been worn relentlessly. And unlike its BUND brother, it does not carry military designation numbers.
So... here's where I try not to get too 'fan boy' for the Squale in the ring. I'll put my hands up high and say, of course, I would dearly love to own a Blancpain, @watch.friendly has owned his Civilian for many years and is sill in love with it. However, I am but a (good looking) poor man, and these beasts don't come cheap any more. The last BUND I saw sell was late last year and it went for 18,000 Euros. And the last Civilian I saw went for over 14,500 Euros in private auction.
And this is where the Squale comes out swinging with its knockout blow... you see; as @j.bjr found out, you can purchase a Professional 'fifty fathoms' in new old stock condition for under 3000 Euros. And, hell, if you like 'em rough; you can still bag a beaten-up quartz for less than a grand.
I will say this, though... I doubt it will be this way for too much longer. I can see prices doubling over the coming few years; their current value for money is that good!
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