30 ATMOS Puffo GMT Ceramica - 40mm

Squale is a legendary brand founded by Charles von Büren in Neuchâtel, Switzerland, in 1959. In the beginning, they were more famous for being an excellent manufacturer and supplier of watch cases - supplying their cases to brands like Blancpain, Doxa and TAG Heuer. The Squale curved shark logo was also featured on some of these brands’ watches as it was considered a hallmark of quality. Squale also sold watches bearing its own name and today, they are well regarded as a brand steeped in history, offering quality Swiss made timepieces at an excellent price point. 

A 1968 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms with the Squale Logo (Credits: Bachmann & Scher)

The Squale 30 ATMOS Puffo GMT takes on the legendary case shape of the 1545 - as it is under the 1545 umbrella. Available exclusively at Gnomon Watches, the 1545 collection has seen its popularity sky-rocket. This latest addition carries the same set of dimensions that we’ve all grown to know and love - 40mm in diameter, 47mm lug-to-lug, and a thickness of 12.5mm. 

Made entirely of 316L stainless steel, the fine satin-brushed finishing at the top of the lugs exudes a certain sense of ruggedness while the high polish sides of the case hint at an elegant side of the watch that is brilliantly exhibited when the polished sides catch the light at certain angles. As a GMT timepiece, the Squale 30 ATMOS Puffo is affixed with a bi-directional bezel with 24-hour markings. This allows the wearer to track 2 additional time zones. The bezel insert is made of ceramic and features a unique mix of colours - puffo blue and ghost red. This unique mix of colours comes together to introduce a refreshing approach to the popular “Pepsi” bezel colourway. 

Quality Hand finished in Switzerland

The dial of the watch takes on the same glossy puffo (“Smurf” in italian) blue colour. It is striking and will definitely catch the eye from afar. To be honest, the colour takes a while to get used to but it will definitely capture your heart with time. When you get on board, it is a great summer watch to get on your wrist. It is fun, bold, and particularly enjoyable - maybe even more so with a cigar in hand! 

Circular indices are applied throughout, except for the baton indices at three, six, nine and a triangular index at 12 o’clock for easy orientation. The Squale logo sits proudly below the triangular marker while only 3 lines of dial text can be found below - “GMT” in red with “Automatic” and “30 ATM” in a white font right underneath it. The dial is extremely symmetrical and proportionate, thanks to the minimal dial text and the lack of a date window. As mentioned on the dial, the watch is certified to 300m of water resistance - thanks to its signed screw-down crown and case back. Mercedes hands and a lollipop second hand are utilised here, with the GMT hand painted in red to allow for easy differentiation. 

Two-tone ceramic bezel in Blue & Red

Protecting the dial is a piece of flat sapphire crystal that will allow the dial to be crystal clear and scratch-free for a long time to come. The crystal is also treated with an anti-reflective coating on the underside, enabling the wearer to view the dial at all angles even in harsh lighting conditions. With a generous coating of Swiss C1 Superluminova applied on the hands, indices and bezel insert, the watch will glow brightly in the dark when fully charged, ensuring legibility even in poor lighting conditions. 

Powering the Squale 30 ATMOS Puffo GMT is the ever-reliable Swiss ETA 2893-2/Sellita SW330-1 movement. It has 25/26 jewels, beats at 28,800 BPH and has a power reserve of about 38 hours. This movement has a quick set GMT function and would also usually have a date function. However, Squale has skillfully removed the date wheel from the movement, ensuring that there is no ghost date wheel, showcasing the brand’s terrific attention to detail. By using a renowned and reliable Swiss movement, this watch will be ticking away relentlessly. 

Superluminova applied on bezel, hour markers & hands

To round off the watch, Squale pairs the 30 ATMOS Puffo GMT with a 20mm jubilee bracelet. The outer links are brushed while the inner 3 links are well polished. This adds a level of refinement to the watch and is also an extremely comfortable bracelet to wear on the wrist. The jubilee bracelet tapers to a signed Squale folding clasp. 

The Squale 30 ATMOS Puffo GMT Ceramica - 40mm is a fun, well-proportioned GMT watch with dive watch specifications. The result is an extremely well-built timepiece that can last the test of time and anything you throw at it. With good looks to show for too, this watch is not just a tool watch as it can be worn both in the office and on the weekends. This latest addition to the popular Squale 30 ATMOS GMT family is a welcomed addition and certainly one not to be missed if you are on the market for something unique that still maintains the traditional look and feel of a GMT timepiece.

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