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The Sicura Hexa 400 marks the rebirth of Sicura, a Swiss watch brand steeped in tradition but now almost forgotten. Read this review to find out whether the new diver’s watch embodies Sicura’s spirit of innovation and what exciting connection it has to a certain watch brand named Breitling.
A Piece of Swiss Watchmaking History Revived
The Sicura Hexa 400 is a special diver’s watch, particularly for the brand itself. It marks a new beginning – the rebirth of a brand that played an incredibly significant role in the Swiss watchmaking world but is now largely forgotten or goes unmentioned. However, the importance of Sicura itself cannot be overstated.
The Story Behind Sicura
To understand the significance of today’s watch companies and models, I make a point of delving into history from time to time in my watch reviews.
Founded in 1939 in Grenchen, Switzerland, Sicura developed into one of Switzerland’s most innovative watch companies in the 1960s and 70s. Ernest Schneider, who led the company at that time, was largely responsible for its success. The multi-talented owner was originally an electrical engineer, a military major, and, on top of that, a pilot. It was largely thanks to his influence that Sicura regularly introduced unconventional solutions and inventions.
Do you want a few examples? One watch had a built-in level that could even be used to conduct a breathalyzer test. Another watch, called the “Smoke Watcher,” was designed to help smokers regulate their cigarette consumption. Ernest Schneider experimented early on with electronic displays, solar energy, and digital technologies. Sicura thus built, so to speak, the precursors to today’s smartwatches. Schneiders talent lay in recognizing trends early on and adapting them for his business.
How Sicura Saved Breitling
Sicura’s story took a decisive turn in 1979. Schneider, who by that time had already predicted that quartz technology would replace mechanical watches, was given the opportunity to buy Breitling. The long-established watch brand had fallen into financial difficulties in the wake of the quartz crisis. On April 5, 1979, Schneider and Willy Breitling signed a contract covering the rights to the Breitling and Navitimer names – not the company itself. By that point the Breitling factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds had already been closed since December 1978, and its stocks of movements and parts had been sold off during the quartz crisis. Only weeks after the signing, in May 1979, Willy Breitling died. Schneider put the name on the company he was already running in Grenchen: the Sicura factory became Breitling’s production site, and in the early 1990s Montres Sicura AG became Breitling AG.
While Breitling soon began to enjoy renewed success, the Secura name disappeared from the scene in the 1990s. The Schneider family remained the sole owner of Breitling until 2017. They sold 80% of the shares in stages for 870 million U.S. dollars, and a year later, the remaining 20% to the investment firm CVC Capital Partners.
Ernest Schneider passed away in 2015 at the age of 94. In an interview his daughter Valerie gave to German boradcaster ARD two years earlier, she quoted her father as saying, “The world belongs to those who get up early.” Hardly any other statement could better describe Sicura’s philosophy.
First Impressions of the Sicura Hexa 400
The company behind today’s review watch (and the Sicura brand as well) is not the former Montres Sicura AG, which we know today as Breitling. The modern Sicura watch brand is an independent project whose founders have revived the brand name. Nevertheless, I want to know whether Sicura’s spirit of producing innovative watches at affordable prices still lives on.
The Sicura Hexa 400 kicks things off. This model is a reissue of the Sicura SuperWaterproof, which was produced around 1970. When comparing the 2026 Hexa 400 with the original, the similarities, namely, the iconic hexagonal shape of the case, minimalist dial with excellent readability and the iconic hand design, are immediately visible.
Three references will be available at launch: the H400.SS.A.40ATM.01.SS with a black-and-yellow dial, the H400.SS.A.40ATM.02.SS with a blue-and-yellow dial, and the H400.SS.A.40ATM.03.SS with an orange-and-white dial. The first two color variants, in particular, clearly reference Breitling and its famous signature yellow.
The Sicura Hexa 400 feels comfortable on the wrist. I find the compact case diameter of 40 millimeters particularly pleasant. It seems the trend is shifting away from large, bulky watches once again. The width between the lugs is 46 millimeters, and the case height is 14 millimeters.
Combined with its refreshing colors, the tool watch makes a confident yet professional first impression.
Everything you need for diving: the case
The case underscores the character of a tool watch. The Sicura Hexa 400 features a classic stainless steel case with a distinctive hexagonal shape, which gives the watch its name and is inspired by the SuperWaterproof. Its corrosion-resistant and durable stainless steel is given a brushed, sporty finish during manufacturing that remains scratch-free. The 120-click bezel is also made of stainless steel but features a ceramic insert.
I find the inner, secondary bezel – which is equipped with a dual-time function – particularly practical. This means the Sicura Hexa400 can be used not only as a dedicated dive watch but also allows the wearer to check the time back home while traveling.
Sicura certifies the case as water-resistant to a depth of up to 400 meters. This means the Sicura Hexa400 exceeds the standard for diver’s watches by a factor of two. As a serious diver’s watch, the Hexa400 features sapphire crystal, as befits its status. It is coated not only with an anti-reflective coating but also with an anti-fingerprint coating. Easily readable hour markers and a generous application of Super-LumiNova ensure that the time can be read without difficulty even in low-light conditions. The crowns and case back are screw-down.
Movement, Strap, and More
Inside, the watch is powered by the proven Sellita SW200 automatic movement, manufactured in Switzerland. The caliber features hour, minute, central seconds, and date displays, as well as a power reserve of approximately 38 hours. The SW200 is considered robust, reliable, and easy to service worldwide. For a watch designed for everyday use and sports, I believe this is a sensible choice.
The three-link bracelet is made of stainless steel. It has a high-quality finish and can be fine-tuned via the clasp for a perfect fit.
My Conclusion on the Sicura Hexa 400
How much of the “old” Sicura and the old SuperWaterproof is still in the Hexa 400? After all, we now live in an age where watches no longer serve as innovative, versatile measuring instruments. Smartphones and smartwatches have long since taken over that role. Of course, a classic wristwatch won’t send out a distress signal in an emergency. It’s a very personal staple piece that accompanies its wearer and tells a story.
Instead, Sicura has achieved something different. The newly launched brand has created a versatile and highly professional diver’s watch aimed at discerning wearers who appreciate Sicura’s history and significance. Technically, the Hexa 400 offers everything one would expect from a contemporary, Swiss-made diver’s watch: a proven Sellita movement, 400-meter water resistance, a ceramic bezel, sapphire crystal, and high-quality craftsmanship.
The fact that the Hexa 400 serves not only as a diver’s watch but also as a world time watch is a testament to Ernest Schneider. The inventive spirit of the former owner thus lives on.
Sicura Hexa 400: Prices and Availability
If you’re looking for a high-quality, versatile diver’s watch with character and an exciting history, you should take a closer look at the Sicura Hexa 400. The MSRP for all three models is 1,450 euros. You’ll also find the Hexa 400 in my shop.
Below, you’ll find all the important links related to the watch.
More about Sicura and the history
Click here to see all three models in my shop
More dive watch reviews on my blog
