Two Italian pioneers have joined forces to produce the new Squale X Drass Galeazzi Limited Edition watch. Restricted to only 500 pieces, the timepiece reflects the prestigious heritage of both Drass Galeazzi, a specialist in sub-sea technology, and Squale, masters of contemporary watchmaking.
Before we get into the specifics of the Squale X Drass Galeazzi Limited Edition watch, let us first introduce you to the two brands that made it happen and why the pair are so perfectly matched. Starting with Squale, this Italian-based watch brand takes its name from the Italian word for “shark” appropriately specialising in high performance dive watches. In the beginning, Squale produced watches and watch cases for other brands like TAG Heuer, DOXA and Blancpain, who didn’t have the knowledge or experience to build their own professional diving instruments. Later they engineered their own collections including one of their iconic designs, the 101 Atmos, which made history as the first-ever 1000m dive watch without the need for a helium escape valve. A few years ago, the Squale name was revived, still based in Italy but with all production and assembly now done in Switzerland. Their devotion to sea exploration remains their entire focus, a philosophy matched by Drass Galeazzi.
Like Squale, Drass Galeazzi specialises in diving instruments, but not the kind you strap to your wrist. Founded by Roberto Galeazzi, a naval engineer, the company became known as one of the most influential inventors in 1962 when Galeazzi engineered the revolutionary spherical design patent. The patent enabled him to build ultra-light structures that could withstand extreme pressures underwater and subsequently changed the future of subsea technology. Their immersion solutions included boots, lamps, leads, lights and most notably their own Galeazzi helmet range, the Atmospheric Diving Suit and the Butoscopic Turret. Today, Drass Galeazzi remains in Italy as a world leader in diving decompression systems.
For 2021, Squale and Drass Galeazzi have combined their talents for deep-sea exploration to bring us the Squale X Drass Galeazzi Limited Edition watch and as you can expect, it’s a formidable instrument for diving. It’s polished stainless steel case guarantees water resistance up to 500 metres helped by the 4 millimetre thick sapphire crystal glass and helium escape valve at 9 o’clock. The measurements of the case have hit the sweet spot coming in at 42 millimetres in diameter, a lug distance of 49 millimetres and a case thickness of 16 millimetres. The curved lugs allow the case to conform effortlessly to the wrist secured by a vintage-stitched black calfskin leather strap. The Squale X Drass Galeazzi Limited Edition also comes with a complimentary black textile strap which can be easily swapped around.
The case of the Squale X Drass Galeazzi watch follows suit to the 50 Atmos collection by Squale with a screw in crown at 4 o’clock and a 120-click unidirectional bezel. Perfect for diving, the bezel is engineered from scratch resistant sapphire crystal in black and adorned with 60 minute diving scale providing effortless legibility with “Old Radium” Superluminova. The same retro-inspired shade of Superluminova can be found on the matte black dial through the large, applied indexes and central hands for hours, minutes and seconds. The minutes hand is also detailed in vibrant orange for even better legibility. A date window sits on the dial at 3 o’clock powered by the Sellita SW200 elaboré grade automatic movement which guarantees a power reserve of 38 hours and a 4Hz beat rate of 28,800 beats per hour.
The collaboration between Squale and Drass Galeazzi is commemorated with both brand’s logos situated on opposite ends of the dial and on the screw down case back, where the Drass Galeazzi logo appears once again. The case back is also home to each Squale X Drass Galeazzi watch’s limited edition status out of 500 pieces. Also delivered with every watch is a special packaging box that has been designed to be just as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional. It has been IP67 certified and equipped with an automatic pressurisation valve which means it can transport and protect sensitive equipment and safeguard your Squale X Drass Galeazzi Limited Edition from water, dust and impacts
For more information on the Squale X Drass Galeazzi watch and where to get your hands on one of the 500 limited edition pieces, head over to the Jura Watches website here or get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453.
Specifications: Squale X Drass Galeazzi Limited Edition (VONDSSGZZ)
- Case Size: 42mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Bezel: Unidirectional, 60 minute scale
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screwed
- Water Resistance: 500 metres
- Movement: Sellita SW200 automatic
- Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 38 hours
- Jewels: 26
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Black with “Old Radium” Superluminova hands and indexes
- Strap: Black calfskin leather and additional black textile
- Buckle: Pin, stainless steel
- RRP: £1,100
- Limited Edition: 500 pieces
