Squale introduces the new Squale 60 ATM T-183 Forged Carbon available with Orange or Blue details. In this hands-on review we take a closer look at the orange model.
Forged carbon is a type of carbon fiber that is manufactured of small carbon fiber composite material. They are pressed into shape with resin hardener and “forged” at high temperature. This creates a material that is very durable and strong, yet light weight, which makes it perfect for watch case material.
The speckled effect on the surface is a unique and highly liked characteristic resulting from this forging process. In fact, the carbon flakes are positioned randomly, creating unique and unrepeatable patterns for each part of the watch.
Every case is individually milled out of a single block of forged carbon. During the process high-precision CNC machinery is used to machine each single cube of forged carbon into a watch case. Later these milled carbon case parts will encased the inner steel housing, that guarantees durability and excellent water resistance of the watch.
In 2019 Squale presented the predecessor T-183 Carbon model that was made of black carbon fiber layered with colored fiber glass, which looked a bit too toyish and colorful in my opinion. The new Forged Carbon Squale looks like a Carbon watch should look like: Toolish and matte, yet with an elegant pattern with only one decently used signature color.
Squale 60 ATM Forged Carbon Orange on the wrist
The new forged carbon Squale has a very harmonious appearance. The mostly grey-black color scheme goes well with the Forged Carbon and the details in just one distinct color give it a certain coolness factor. The brushed ceramic inlay of the bezel matches the carbon fiber structure and the overall matte appearance.
The dial is a very dark carbon gray, which appears quite light in bright photo light, but goes well with the watch. Unlike other 1521 PVD models it features a black date wheel which is a nice attention to detail and was often missed on other black Squale models before.
The new Squale 60 ATM T-183 Forged Carbon wears similarly to the well known Squale 1521. It feels rather like a 40 mm watch than 42 mm due to its famous Von-Büren (the founder of Squale) case design and oversized bezel, which also helps to protect the case.
With a height of 15,5 mm it is 2,5 mm thicker than a regular Squale 1521 and sits relatively high on the wrist. Together with the (for a carbon watch relatively big) weight of 102 grams (incl. strap) makes the watch wear a bit top-heavy. This weight is due to its internal cylindrical 316L steel case, which on the other hand guarantees an impressive water-resistance up to 60 ATM / 600 meters.
Leather strap coated in rubber with trimmed-, waxed-, and hand-painted sides in a color to match the model
Squale uses a rubber-coated leather strap with a hand-painted side matching the details of the minute-hand and dial print. The rubberized strap is not only matching the colors of the watch in a very delicate way, but is also very durable and water-resistant with the comfort of a leather strap.
Later in this article we will show you great alternatives in our WB Original Strap-Guide.
2,5 mm thicker – Left: Squale Luminoso Arancia PVD height: 12 mm – Right: Squale T-183 Forged Carbon height: 15,5 mm
The Squale Forged Carbon is sealed with a steel screw case back, which is (unlike at other Squale 1521 PVD watches) black PVD coated too. This internal steel case containing the well known Swiss Made Sellita SW 200 movement in 1 Elaborè grade.
Black PVD coated Stainless Steel screwed down case back
With the common lug-width of 20 mm many different strap combinations are possible and the overall black watch makes it easy to find matching watch straps. Especially when the detail-color is matched, for example with an orange watch strap. We will show you more combinations after the conclusion.
Squale 60 ATM T-183 Forged Carbon Orange paired with an Orange Classic-Style FKM rubber strap by WB Original
Conclusion
Unmistakable new “Carbon” lettering under the famous Squale shark indicates the case material
Squale has set new standards in its collection of professional diving watches with the new 60 ATM Forged Carbon models: a thoroughly professional diver’s watch, with a state-of-the-art case material and appearance.
Unlike you would assume, it is not an extremely light watch. A regular 1521 weights 115 g incl. the rubber strap, while the new Forged Carbon weights at 102 g, which is only 13 g less.But unlike other, probably lighter, carbon fiber watches the new Squale Forged Carbon has a water resistance up to 60 ATM / 600 meters, which most other carbon fiber watches probably won’t offer. With such a highly water-resistant watch a little more weight can be accepted.
It’s still a true dive watch combined with the cool look of Forged Carbon, which also makes it an ideal every-day watch.
Squale 60 ATM Forged Carbon Strap Guide by
- Classic Style Rubber Strap – Orange
- Classic Style Rubber Strap – Black
- Premium Nylon Strap Black – Black/PVD | WB Original
- Two-Piece Nylon Strap Black – Black/PVD | WB Original
Specifications
- Case:Forged Carbon and Stainless Steel, diameter: 42 mm, lug-to-lug: 49 mm, height: 15,5 mm, weight: 102 g
- Case back:Stainless Steel PVD coated
- Dial & Hands: Dark grey, Hands and Brushed Indices filled with white Super-LumiNova® BGW9, Orange minute hand
- Crystal: Flat sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
- Bezel: Brushed ceramic bezel with 120 clicks uni-directional rotating
- Strap: Rubberized leather strap with hand painted sides
- Movement: Swiss Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement, 28,800 vph, 26 jewels, 38 hours power reserve, date feature at 3 o’clock
- Water Resistance: 60 atm / 600 m
Discover related Squale dive watches
Left: T-183 Forged Carbon – Top: 1521 Series Luminoso Arancia PVD – Right: 1521 Series sand blasted PVD