Aesthetically speaking, the watch draws strong inspiration from one a rare variant of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms during the mid-1970s – the Blancpain Bundeswehr Kampfschwimmer, a German Military-issued mil-spec diver. As a manufacturer of cases for Blancpain back in the day, the Squale 50 ATMOS Scuba – Gnomon Exclusive utilizes the famous “von Büren” case in fully-polished stainless steel. This highly-distinctive case, now closely associated with Squale, was popularly utilized in many historic dive watches over the decades as a timeless design from Charles von Büren himself. Measuring with a case diameter of 41mm (42mm including the bezel), a lug to lug distance of 48mm and a thickness of 12.5mm, the watch has a versatile fit for a wide range of wrist sizes while exerting a bold wrist presence of a diver.

The recessed screw-down crown at the 4 o’clock position is tucked under the cleverly designed case construction, well protected against accidental knocks that may harm the movement while flowing excellently with the case design. Being part of the 50 ATMOS family of dive watches, the 50 ATMOS Scuba – Gnomon Exclusive is equipped with a capable 500 meters of water resistance, achieved through Squale’s impeccable engineering and substantial rubber gaskets.

At the back of the watch, the screw-in case back reveals an individual serial number out of 200 units as a mark of exclusivity. For the very first time, the case back features the proud engraving of the Gnomon Watches logo, an unprecedented detail first debuting on this special release signifying the close partnership between Squale and Gnomon Watches.

Staying true to the historic design, the unique 120-click unidirectional bezel present on the 50 ATMOS Scuba – Gnomon Exclusive is a key feature first seen on the Blancpain’s Bundeswehr Kampfschwimmer mil-spec bund diver. The matte black bezel insert is designed with a lack of numerals, a feature without purpose to the German Navy Combat Divers, retaining only the 3-dimensional cream luminous triangle pip at the 12 o’clock position for dive timing purposes.

Purposely-built for diving, the matte black dial of the 50 ATMOS Scuba – Gnomon Exclusive is built to minimize unnecessary glare that might impede time reading, this contrasts incredibly well against the radium-style Superluminova treated markers that makes reading the dial effortless in dark lighting conditions while at the same time, offering a prepossessing vintage appeal, displaying an appearance of a well-aged timepiece that has lived a life of adventures. The vibrant orange minute hand further enhances the readability of the dial with a pop of color, a practical feature that manages to look visually enticing.

The ‘sterile’ dial is kept minimal with a lack of the Squale logo usually accompanied with the Squale text alongside a no-date layout, focusing attention on all the pleasing details on the dial. At the 6 o’clock position showcases the main highlight of the 50 ATMOS Scuba – Gnomon Exclusive with a logo of the diver-down flag, or also known as the scuba flag (hence its name). Serving a purpose to notify boats to steer clear for the safety of divers underneath the water surface to avoid possible collision, this distinctive logo is an international code closely associated with North America to indicate sites with services for divers such as rental of diving equipment and scuba diving stations. Protecting the dial sits a flat piece of sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on the underside, providing superior resistance against scratches.

The 50 ATMOS Scuba – Gnomon Exclusive is driven by the Swiss-made 25 jewel ETA 2824-2 / Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement which runs at a 4 Hz beat rate of 28,800 beats per hour (BPH), featuring handwinding and hacking capabilities. This highly-popular movement is no stranger to the watch industry, being a true ‘workhorse’ offering outstanding reliability and timekeeping performance.

The watch is complete with the supplied tropic top rubber strap, ensuring a secure fit on the wrist with its high tensile strength and durability, suitable for diving adventures. This strap is also designed specifically to resist saltwater corrosion and UV rays, providing confidence in the use underwater. Perforations on the strap ensures that the strap stays breathable, allowing the watch to be worn comfortably for prolonged periods.

Only available at Gnomon Watches, Squale delivered a masterpiece that combines their extensive knowledge of producing dive watches with a unique design that gives prominence to the diving world. Admittedly, the addition of the striking ‘diver-down’ logo adds a whole lot of vitality to the historic look, taking it up a notch with this peculiar detail. The 50 ATMOS collection has seen a whole range of stunning releases this year, however, the 50 ATMOS Scuba – Gnomon Exclusive is definitely one-of-a-kind that will assuredly evoke a strong spirit of marine adventure for both aspiring divers and fervent watch lovers.