Charles von Büren was a Swiss entrepreneur and watchmaker whose career was defined by his specialization in water-resistant timepieces and the founding of the Squale watch brand. Born in Switzerland, von Büren established his first business, C. von Büren SA, in Neuchâtel in 1946. Initially, the company focused on the manufacture of watch cases for other established horological brands.

In 1950, alongside his wife Hélène, von Büren expanded his operations, establishing a factory in Neuchâtel. Driven by a personal passion for diving and water sports, he focused his technical efforts on the emerging field of sub-aquatic watchmaking. This period was characterized by rigorous experimentation and testing, often conducted by von Büren himself in Lake Neuchâtel. His daughter, Monique, also participated in the family business by testing early prototypes.

The year 1959 marked a significant milestone when von Büren registered the Squale trademark. The name, derived from the Italian word for shark, was accompanied by the brand’s iconic shark logo. Under his leadership, the company became a prominent supplier of high-performance dive watch cases to prestigious brands such as Blancpain, Doxa, and Heuer. Squale cases, notably the 50 Atmos with its distinctive 4 o’clock crown position, became industry standards for reliability and water resistance.

Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, von Büren oversaw the development of several landmark professional diving instruments, including the Master and the 1521 models. His commitment to functionality led Squale to become the official supplier for various elite organizations, including the Italian Navy’s Diving Corps and the French Green Berets. The brand’s reputation was further solidified as freediving legends like Enzo Maiorca and Jacques Mayol set world records while wearing von Büren’s timepieces.

Von Büren was recognized for his innovative approach to case design, which included early patents for diving watch cases and the development of locking bezels. His business strategy emphasized professional-grade quality over mainstream fashion, building a dedicated following among serious divers and horological enthusiasts.

In 1982, in preparation for his retirement, Charles von Büren sold the Squale brand to the Maggi family, who had served as the brand’s distributors in Italy for decades. This transition ensured the continuation of the brand as a family-owned enterprise. Von Büren’s legacy remains central to the history of the dive watch, representing a period of significant technical advancement in water-resistant horology. He is remembered as a pioneer who transitioned from an expert casemaker to the founder of a brand that remains synonymous with professional diving history.