Complications

Sinn U1 Divers - Basic with Braun

If you spend a lot of time underwater, you quickly come to appreciate the thought that has gone into the design of a watch like the Sinn U1 Divers.  As one of my favorite dive watches, the U1 gets a ton of wrist time when the weather gets hot - it's also a watch that accompanies me on a wide variety of underwater adventures. 

Sinn manufactures some of the most robust and task-ideal tool watches in the world.  The U1 incorporates all of Sinn's cutting edge innovations - from its tegimented case that is hardened to 1,500 Vickers (and much more resistant to scratches than a normal stainless steel case) to its sapphire crystal that incorporates progressive reflective technology for perfect legibility in all light conditions.  Equally important to most serious divers, the U1 shuns the superfluous in favor of a clean and clear presentation of the information expected of a watch that has a critical function in survival.  A quick glance at the Sinn U1 Divers reveals both the current time and the elapsed bottom time (courtesy of a non-losable uni-directional bezel that's lined up with the minute hand just before submerging). 

The Sinn U1 is 44mm in diameter and just over 14mm thick.  The screw-down waterproof crown is offset to the 4 o'clock position on the right side of the case - an arrangement that adds significantly to the comfort factor and eliminates the crown fatigue that can undermine a waterproof watch that sees a lot of vigorous activity.

The hands of the U1 are luminous and glow brightly when lighting conditions are poor.  Each hand is red as it emerges from the center arbor and then white (luminous) as it extends toward the minute track - a design that dramatically increases your ability to instinctively distinguish between the hours, minutes and seconds hands in all light conditions. 

Inside the U1 is an ETA Caliber 2824-2 automatic movement.  With 25 jewels and an amplitude of 28,800 vph, it's a stable and reliable performer. 

After securing the movement in the case and making the final adjustments, the watchmakers at Sinn subject the watch to a testing protocol developed in conjunction with Hamburg's Germanischer Lloyd that results in certification according to European dive equipment standards.  It confirms the temperature stability and function of the watch under extreme temperature conditions - a serious consideration as dive watches are routinely subjected to instant 50 degree temperature swings.  Lloyd also certifies the U1 for water-resistance and pressure-proofing (100 bar).

The Sinn U1 Divers is furnished with a silicon strap that has a deployant clasp equipped with a wetsuit extension.  The MSRP is $1850 USD - an incredible value for the diver who value vault-like construction and user friendly tool-like design.

Sinn 756 Diapal - Oil Free for the Long Haul

The Sinn 756 Diapal might just be the hottest pilots watch to hit the market in '08.  Using Sinn's oil free escapement technology (called Diapal since early research involved replacing the ruby pallets with diamonds) , this new Sinn is designed to perform flawlessly for extended periods of time since there's no oil to degrade and gum up the works. 

The design elements of the new 756 Diapal will appeal to both desk flyers and real pilots alike, the anthracite coal galvanized dial is super sharp and contrasts nicely with the over-sized markers and arabic quadrant numbers (12, 3, 6 and 9).

There's a rotating bezel to track elapsed minutes and chronograph functionality as well.  The current time in a second zone is displayed via the skeletonized second hour hand that's set via the crown.  The date is shown at the four o'clock position and is discreet enough to preserve the clean and uncluttered nature of the dial.

Inside the Sinn 756 Diapal is a modified ETA Valijoux Caliber 7750 automatic chrono movement that's been protected against magnetic fields to 80,000 A/m, fitted with the aforementioned oil-free Diapal escapement (now a function of nanotechnology and not the old diamonds for rubies switcheroo), and shockproof. 

The case of the 756 Diapal is Sinn's famous tegimented stainless steel (1,200 Vickers) - it's exceedingly tough and it looks great.

I can't wait to get a 756 Diapal on my wrist!  I imagine that it will quickly become one of my favorites.   

Sinn 856 UTC - A Perfect Two-Time Flyer

The Sinn 856 UTC is the ultimate aviator's watch for someone who spends a lot of time in the cockpit. 

Many watch manufacturers pack all sorts of frivolous functionality into their 'pilots watches'.  There are complicated chronographs, altimeters, and even circular slide rules to calculate crosswind components.  In the real world though, the on-board computer versions of these instruments do a much better job than anything that you could strap to your wrist. 

Few pilots would squint over the minuscule numerals on the outer track of their chronograph to work out a wind calculation when that information is available in a much larger format displayed along the periphery of their 'scan'. 

Of course, some pilots do wear watches that pile on the functions; but most will opt for a watch that simply displays the time in a very legible and exact format - in that regard, the 856 UTC answers the call perfectly.

Constructed of Sinn's proprietary tegimented stainless steel, the 40mm case of the Sinn 856 UTC is striking in its form and simplicity.  The crown is ideally sized, deeply grooved, and shielded by lugs integral to the case.  The black matte dial and large stark white luminous hands, markers and arabic numerals in the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock positions make it very easy to determine the time with nothing more than a quick glance. 

To help long-haul pilots keep track of the time in their destination or departure cities as they cross time zones; there's a second time zone (GMT) hand that's tipped with a yellow arrow and indicates time in the 24-hour format on an inner dial. 

Designed for the rigors of flight, the 856 has integrated dehumidification, magnetic field protection (to 80,000 A/m), and an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. 

I'm a huge fan of Sinn watches and the 856 is one of my favorites.  Like all Sinn offerings, the price to quality ratio of the 856 UTC is phenomenal.  $1480 US gets you an exceptional pilots watch. 

A big time SINN - the U1000

Sinn has come a long way since 1961 when the patriarch of the great sleeper from Frankfurt, Helmut Sinn started selling his ideally functional pilot watches to fellow aviators; but the brand has always stayed true to form.  A Sinn watch is, at it's very core... a tool.  All of the unique design elements incorporated in each new model have, as their genesis, a functional significance.

The Sinn U1000 is a dive chronograph that's designed for exploring the depths that lie far beneath the limits of recreational diving.  If you have occasion to spend some time 1000 meters below the surface (send me pictures!), having this new monster Sinn on your wrist should be of some comfort.  If you're using this watch for diving, you may be able to jettison some weight from your belt... it's a brick!  I love a tool watch that feels substantial on my wrist and, at 44mm in diameter and 18mm thick, the 'U-grand' definitely fits the bill. 

One of the unique features of Sinn dive watches is the steel used in fabricating their cases.  Instead of the almost ubiquitous 316, Sinn uses a 'Tegimented' steel that, not coincidentally, is used to construct the outer hull of submarines.  Of course, it's extra sea-water resistant and also does a great job at keeping stray magnetism at bay.  The engineers say that the hardness of the sub-like case is 1,500 Vickers (compared to the 200-240 Vickers of most watches).  It seems like the best way to think of 'Tegiment-ation'  is that it's similar to a cladding or armoring process.  Instead of a coating, the steel itself is hardened to create the added barrier.  In everyday wear, it should be much more difficult to scratch too. 

Inside the 'Tegimented' vault, is the venerable ETA/Valjoux 7750... reworked a bit here and there.  I  think this is a great choice for a watch that is designed to be both robust and easily serviceable.  While this is an especially reliable 'workhorse' movement; if anything unusual happens, any watchmaker worth his salt can fix it easily and parts are plentiful, inexpensive, and always in stock.

I must confess, I've always thought that the terms 'chronograph' and 'dive watch' were oxymoronic.  The U1000 has me eating my words.  There's a lot to be said for the ability to keep track of total bottom time (with the bezel) while timing a decompression stop (with the chrono).  Most 'dive chronos' aren't designed for activating the chrono underwater; those that are generally come with some depth limitations since it's exceedingly tough to design a pusher mechanism that can be both waterproof and functionally deployable with wetsuit gloves.  Owing to a design and development team that obviously gets it, the Sinn dive chronometer has no such limitations.  The pushers (and crown) are positioned on the left side of the watch and activated with your thumb instead of your index finger (much easier).  The pushers are huge and pass the thick neoprene glove test with flying colors. 

To help with the elapsed time tracking drill, there's a 60 minute counter sub-dialed at 6 o'clock.  If things get protracted (mixed gas anyone?), there's an hour counter up top at 12.  Both of these sub-dials are easy to read, luminous, and don't obstruct the dial significantly.

The bezel on the U1000 is fantastic.  Sinn took the uni-directional 'safety' bezel concept to the next level on this watch.  Instead of friction mounting the bezel (ala Rolex and almost every other major player in the dive watch arena), the watchmakers at Sinn attached it with screws!  With this design, there's no chance of the bezel becoming detached if you catch it in something.  There's also a push to turn system that locks the bezel in place at all times unless you push first and then rotate.  It's failsafe and brilliant!

I have to mention, for the cloak and dagger fans among us (read that again carefully... there's an admission in there somewhere), that this watch is a member of the elite 'EZM series' - in German, Einsatzzeitmesser - In English, Mission-Timer.  As a supplier to numerous arms of the German special forces, Sinn must build in a high degree of water, shock, magnetism, and temperature resistance.  There's also a strict standard regarding the legibility of the dial and indicators and the necessity that the 'controls' be both accessible and easy-to-use in 'extreme' conditions.

The current retail price of the U1000 is $4560.00 US.  While this is definitely at the high end of the range for Sinn, it's also a relative value when you think about the capabilities, features, and benefits of this watch and compare them (and the price) to other watches in this class.

I've had a Sinn U1 for a while (review coming soon).  Same submarine metal construction and 'waterproof-ness'... no chronograph.  I love the U1 and it retails for $1830.00.  If price isn't an object - get the U1000... it's a very impressive watch and also very practical for diving.  If there's a budget to consider (or a wife who asks the dreaded question... how much?) - take a long look at the U1!