The Santurce Collection Picúa puts Puerto Rico on the dive watch map
Tom AustinEvery independent watch brand has an origin story, but few begin with a husband being told he owns too many watches. Santurce Collection was founded by husband-and-wife team José and Anita, united by a passion for watches and a desire to represent Puerto Rico through their own designs. Long before there was a brand, Anita simply wanted a little more wardrobe space, prompting José to part with several watches from his personal collection. Those sales quickly became known locally as a “Santurce Collection” – a phrase collectors used for a well-curated watch at a good price.
What began as an inside joke within the community became the name of the couple’s new venture, and today the Picúa stands as one of its clearest expressions: a dive watch designed in Puerto Rico, powered by a Swiss automatic movement and shaped by the bold aesthetics of the 1970s.
The case
The Picúa is a compact diver by modern standards, measuring 39mm across, 12.2mm thick and 46mm lug-to-lug. Its forged and heat-treated 316L stainless steel case is finished entirely with linear brushing, giving it the understated appearance of a watch designed to be used rather than admired from afar.
The softly rounded case profile takes clear inspiration from the skin divers of the 1970s, while a 120-click bezel fitted with a DLC-coated steel insert keeps the look faithful to the era without defaulting to ceramic. A sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides and a substantial 300 metres of water resistance complete a specification that’s every bit as capable as its styling suggests.
The dial
At first glance, the Picúa looks like a classic ’70s dive watch, but the details gradually reveal something more individual. Large rectangular hour markers and broad baton hands provide excellent legibility, while the flashes of red atop each applied index introduce a welcome burst of colour without overpowering the monochrome palette. The matching red model name above six o’clock ties everything together, while the brushed chapter ring adds another layer of depth. Every element feels carefully considered, resulting in a dial that’s perfectly functional without leaning on overt nostalgia.
The movement
Inside is the ever-reliable Sellita SW200-B automatic movement. It’s a sensible choice for a watch intended to be worn regularly, offering dependable performance with a 38-hour power reserve, straightforward servicing and the reassurance that parts and expertise will be readily available for years to come. It’s a calibre that thankfully lacks a phantom date position, too. While designed entirely in Puerto Rico, each Picúa is assembled in the USA, pairing Caribbean design with proven Swiss mechanics.
The strap
The supplied black NATO strap continues the retro, tool-like theme, and offers some decent adjustment and security. It complements the Picúa’s vintage-inspired aesthetic perfectly while remaining practical enough for everyday wear, and with a standard 20mm lug width, owners won’t be short of alternative strap options should they wish to change things up, which is good, considering it’s also available with a rubber rally-style strap, featuring a textured finish and oversized perforations.
The verdict
For a brand founded only last year, the Picúa feels remarkably self-assured. Instead of chasing the familiar formula of vintage-inspired dive watches, Santurce Collection has used the genre as a canvas to express something genuinely personal, grounding the watch in Puerto Rican culture without letting that story overshadow the product itself.
That confidence has already been recognised beyond the enthusiast community too, with the brand’s El Tiburón model recently selected as an official competitor in the 2026 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). The Picúa delivers great value with thoughtful proportions, proven Swiss mechanics and a design with real identity. The initial production run has recently sold through, with more stock expected soon.
Santurce Collection Picúa pricing and availability
The Santurce Collection Picúa is currently sold out on the Santurce Collection website, with more stock expected soon. Price: £723/US$949
| Brand | Santurce Collection |
| Model | Picúa |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm (D) x 12.2mm (T) x 46mm (LTL |
| Case Material | 316L stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 300 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Dial | Black sunburst |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Strap | Black NATO strap, option rubber rally strap, pin buckle |
| Movement | Sellita SW-200B, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 38 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Currently sold out – available soon |
| Price | £723/US$949 |