Just got my hands on a Squale for the first time, pretty impressed with it, but I've heard a lot of people dislike the brand. What's everyone's thoughts on the main pros and cons on Squale watches?

What are some of the negatives people say about the brand? I know they have decent history and heritage (w/ blancpain)

That's beautiful, will keep an eye out for the video.

I dont know any negative views on the brand, but maybe because they made/make homage watches?

I've only owned one Squale and I thoroughly enjoyed it. Like the above poster, I have not heard much hate toward Squale and I would gladly and proudly own another if/when things line up

That is a gorgeous watch.  It is quite similar to  one of the TGV models.  I didn't buy that model because I didn't like the TGV on the dial.

Where/how did u get this??I would love to buy one.

It's a special edition in collaboration with Squale's Korean distributor, Whatawatches. There's a white and black dial, both limited, but both available now internationally on their website. It's a lot like the TGV one, but with 20mm lugs. They sent it to me for review. You can see the video I did about it here: https://youtu.be/0sCqxAFPPCY

I think they are viewed as a Rolex homage brand.  But that is a misunderstanding as they have their own heritage and uniqueness. 

Awesome.  Thank you!  The 20mm lug is a much better choice.  I wondered why they put a 22mm strap on a watch of that size.

I think they get hate because they make a lot of homage/rolex copies, and they don't make movements. They also could be accused of exaggerating their history and heritage a bit. Steinhart is another brand that seems to be polarizing. 

I love my GMT. I recently changed time zones (annoying without a true gmt function). It was 2 secs slow since DST ended.  Near perfect time keeping. That was 6-7 weeks ago. Impressive for a quartz let alone a mass produced mechanical. 

Just sold my Squale Tiger Limited (the locking crown one), which brought out the worst con: no liquid market, the watches are nice, reasonably priced, but you will be hard pressed to resell them for any reasonable amount of money.

I didn‘t buy the watch as an investment, but also didn’t realize how thin the market was when I got rid of it to help fund my latest edition.

I don't think Squale deserves the hate, but it's out there.  A few reasons:

1. Over the past few years, many were turned off by the endless pumping of the Squale brand through TGV/Urban Gentry and other YouTubers, which was nonstop on YT for several years. Sponsoring YouTubers to pump your brand is good for short term sales, but death for your image as a luxury/prestige brand among actual enthusiasts and collectors. 
2. They oversold and exaggerated their supposed history and pedigree in dive watch history; they were primarily known as a contract manufacturer of dive watch cases. And there are lots of reports that their dive watch cases today, which is really the only thing that's entirely unique to their watches, are made in China. 
3. A lot of hate comes from people who claim that Squale is just a maker of Rolex homages. But most of their designs don't look that much like Rolex pieces and have distinct design elements (like the 4:00 crown). I would not place Squale in the same bucket as Steinhart or similar companies that make fairly shameless Rolex knockoffs.

I love Squale. I have it almost one year and this summer I was in Italy diving with the watch and I can only reccomend it! Great quality! Very good design. Great lume.

Here is my Squale: https://www.watchcrunch.com/JaroWinti/posts/winter-upgrade-of-my-squale-1521-1586

https://www.squale.ch/en/squale_watches You can find here lots of models ... I am sure you will find one which works for you!

Squale started with producing watch cases for Blancpain (not bad as reference) and than they started their own brand. That is what I know. Nowadays it is quite difficult to find a watch which does not remind (homage) some heritage brand ...

The only negative I have heard is that on their less expensive homage they used some Chinese parts… don’t really care. I love my 60 Atmos

I love my Squale, best summer watch ever.

This watch is just cool. What isn’t an homage is the question? One of my watches is a watch that almost every brand speaks of / copies and it can be considered an homage to the 50 Fathoms imo.

This term is abused to the point it now borders on ill informed, uneducated. 

Not directing that comment toward you, just the topic. It hurts the hobby and the biz. Like the term ‘Mall Watch’. My AD is in a mall.  Ridiculous. 

Good taste. Cool watch. 

Dave

Since most of your reviews are for sub $500 watches, it should be noted that there is a very nice Squale watch available in that price range.   Island Watch has a co-design with Squale called the Montauk.   It's a 38mm Swiss made watch with a Sellita movement.  The last update said there would be new additions of the Montauk coming this year.  The previous additions were discounted to $465.  The only color left is a beige fume, but it's a steal at that price.  I own a Montauk and it's one of my favorite watches. 

https://longislandwatch.com/squale-mtk-03-300-meter-dive-watch-mtk-03/

I have not heard anything bad, in fact it is on my short list for my next watch purchase. I was looking at one of their least expensive models, but then I saw their version of the fifty fathoms, really beautiful. 

I know it’s a bit of a homage but I love my Squale.

Great movement for the price. I think with their history they can pull it off in my opinion.