Hélène von Büren was a Swiss entrepreneur and a foundational figure in the history of specialized diving watches, best known as the co-founder of the watchmaking enterprise that established the Squale brand. Born in the early 20th century, her professional life was defined by a long-standing partnership with her husband, Charles von Büren, with whom she pioneered technical advancements in underwater horology.
In 1950, Hélène and Charles von Büren established the watch factory Von Büren SA in Neuchâtel, Switzerland. During the initial decade of operation, the firm operated as a specialist manufacturer, producing high-quality watch cases and components for other established Swiss brands. Hélène played an integral role in the management and operation of this family business, which was driven by the couple’s shared personal passion for diving and maritime sports.
The business reached a significant milestone in 1959 when Von Büren SA officially registered the Squale brand and trademarked the “Super-Squale” name. Under the leadership of the von Bürens, the company transitioned from a component supplier to an independent brand recognized for its expertise in water resistance. Hélène was involved in the strategic development of the company during a period when sub-aquatic watchmaking was still an emerging field. The brand’s signature shark logo, which appeared on dials and casebacks, became a symbol of the professional-grade diving instruments the couple produced.
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Hélène von Büren helped oversee the brand’s growth as it became a preferred supplier for professional divers, world-record freedivers like Enzo Maiorca and Jacques Mayol, and elite military units including the Italian Navy. The von Büren family maintained a close collaborative culture, eventually involving their daughter, Monique, in the business operations.
In the early 1980s, as Charles von Büren prepared for retirement, the family began the process of transferring ownership of the brand. In 1982, the von Bürens sold Squale to the Maggi family, their long-time Italian distributors, ensuring the brand’s continuity. Hélène von Büren’s legacy persists through Squale’s enduring reputation as a specialist in diving watches, reflecting the entrepreneurial spirit and technical focus she helped instill at the company’s inception in Neuchâtel.