Introducing 8 striking new 2020 Sinn watches: the updated 1739, 556 and U-series
There is a St. Augustine quote that goes, “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only a page.” In a similar vein, one can say that amongst the watch brands out there, it is important to look beyond just the few more popular ones. And there’s one watch brand out there that may not be directly competing with the likes of AP or Rolex, but it does stand firmly on its own. This is Sinn. The brand that could easily be called the king of affordable modern tool divers. Introducing the new 2020 Sinn watches.
For 2020, despite the Covid-19 pandemic, Sinn has managed to release a plethora of new reasonably priced watches — eight to be exact — that fortunately cater to everybody: tool watches, sports watches and dress watches. Take your pick, it’s all there.
Let’s start with my favourite of the lot, the Sinn 1739, a part of their Classic watches collection.
Releases One, Two and Three: the Sinn 1739 series
The Sinn 1739 sits well within an established family that features two other models, the 1736 and 1746. Coming in at 39mm case diameter, it is positioned in my opinion as a unisex watch given the other offerings are 36mm and 42mm respectively. The 1736 features a self-winding mechanical movement — ETA 2892-A2 — comprising of 21 jewels and beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28’800 vph). The 1746 features the exact same specs. The new 1739 on the other hand features the Sellita SW300-1 movement which has the same frequency but comprises of 25 jewels. The reason why I mention this is that while both movements come from competing brands, they are pretty identical and equally trustworthy.
The Sinn 1739 has been released in three variants
– 1739 St I S featuring a polished stainless steel case, an electroplated black dial with sunburst decoration and hand applied appliqués. I would call this the men’s watch version.
– 1739 St I 4N featuring a polished stainless steel case, silver electroplated dial with sunburst decoration and hand applied appliqués. I would call this the ladies watch version.
– 1739 Heimat – I would call this the unisex version.
One of my favourite offerings from the brand this year is the new Sinn 1739 Heimat — Heimat is German for home or homeland — reference 1739.010. Featuring the Sellita SW300-1 movement, the dial is the winner here, with its extremely fine rhodium-coated relief pattern that has been inspired by the traditional diamond pattern (known as ‘Gerippte’) found on Frankfurt’s popular cider glasses.
This is not the first time we are seeing this pattern, as the design exists in a larger case size of the 1746 Heimat 42mm, reference 1746.012. The 42mm version again uses the ETA 2892-A2 movement and my guess is that Sinn simply changed movement suppliers for the new releases. There is something wonderfully visual about the pattern in a smaller case size; it seems to fit better and look more appealing.
Owing to the wide variety of surface finishes that range from polished to matte silk, the watch provides for a fair amount of three-dimensional effect. The relief dial is coated with rhodium, a precious metal similar to platinum, which gives the dial an exquisite silver-white shine.
Quick Tech Specs: The references 1736.011 (silver dial), 1739.012 (black dial) & 1739.010 all feature the calibre SW300-1 which is an automatic-winding movement. This anti-magnetic as per DIN 8309 movement is encased inside a 39.0mm diameter and 9.1mm thick stainless steel case with a band lug width of 20mm and a crown at 3’o clock featuring the brand’s signature D3-system. The watch offers an impressive 100m (10 ATM) water-resistance. The watch face shows the functions of central hour and minutes only.
Before we move on to the next set of releases, a note on the D3-system. The push-piece pins and crown shafts are mounted directly in a fine-finished case aperture, creating a perfect seal to the case. This system permits the crown and push-piece to be integrated in the case, providing reliable protection from lateral knocks and the penetration of dust or moisture.
Releases Four, Five and Six: the Sinn U-series
The Sinn U-series has also been released in three variants, and fans of the brand would be happy to note that these new variants are offed in a more compact case size.
Until now the U-series watches were available in two larger sizes, 44 (U1, U2, and UX) and 47mm (U212).
Adding to these are U50, U50.S, and the U50.SDR. The U50 measures 41mm and in my opinion should become one of their best sellers given the use of high-strength and seawater-resistant German submarine steel in its case and crown. Aesthetically, the legibility on the dial is pretty high and is further aided by the clean dial that’s loud and bold with the use of (matte) black, white and red colours.
Another standout feature is the rotating bezel; it makes use of the brand’s TEGIMENT Technology that not only hardens the bezel surface for heavy-duty wear but also makes it scratch-resistant. A true dive watch from the word go, it also comes with a DNV GL certification solidifying the brand’s claim of the watch being water-resistant to depths of 500m (50 ATM).
Quick Tech Specs: The reference 1050.010 features the calibre SW300-1 which is an automatic-winding movement. This anti-magnetic as per DIN 8309 movement features 25 jewels, beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28,000 vph) and is encased inside a 41.0mm diameter and 11.15mm thick bead-blasted German Submarine Steel case with a band lug width of 20mm and a screwable crown at 4’o clock. The case also features a captive bezel with TEGIMENT technology with minute ratcheting and luminous key marks. The watch offers a very impressive 500m (50 ATM) water-resistance. The matte black watch face shows the functions of central hour, minutes and seconds, and a date window at 3’o clock.
U50 should become the new staple for dive enthusiasts. The existing U1 range was already successful, but owing to the large sizes, wasn’t everyone’s cup of tea. These new watches cater to that one deficit they had, pretty much creating a solid, value for money, no-nonsense dive watch that’s a stunner in its own right. The U1 ticks on a different movement, the SW200-1, though it beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28,000 vph). The other difference is in the dimensions, 44mm diameter and 14.7mm thickness, and the increased water-resistance of 1000m (100ATM).
The new release is essentially the younger brother of the exisiting Sinn U1. It comes in three variations: the above version, the steel case and black bezel variant U50 SDR, and the all-black U50 S. The last one, all black case and bezel on a red rubber strap is the most striking and our favourite of the lot.
The red of the strap complements the red of the seconds hand and makes for a handsome combination.
Releases Seven and Eight: the Sinn 556 series
Two new additions — the 556.A RS and 556.I RS — have been made to the existing 556 series that now includes a total of 8 variants.
Both these are essentially pilot’s watches under the garb of dress watches. These satinized stainless steel beauties feature bold Arabic numerals, a striking red seconds hand, and a tiny date aperture at 4.30. Personally the watches can do without the date window; it just seems forced and unnecessary. The watches are essentially an update to the existing 556.A and 556.I in that they feature a red seconds hand. Other than that, both are identical in looks and specifications.
Quick Tech Specs: The reference 556.0106 (556.I RS) features the calibre SW200-1 which is an automatic-winding movement. This anti-magnetic as per DIN 8309 movement features 26 jewels, beats at the frequency of 4Hz (28,000 vph) and is encased inside a 38.5mm diameter and 11mm thick satinized stainless steel case with a band lug width of 20mm and a screwable crown at 3’o clock. The watch offers a 200m (20 ATM) water-resistance. The glossy black watch face shows the functions of central hour, minutes and seconds, and a date window at 3’o clock.
Legibility reigning high, the indices and hour / minute hands are coated with luminescent colour.
Watch Ya Gonna Do About It
There is something for everyone in the new 2020 Sinn watches. From releasing dress to diving to pilot style watches, Sinn has truly managed to survive the Covid-19 onslaught.
This Frankfurt based company started in 1961 by a pilot clearly still maintains the aviation design codes in most of its releases. Simple dials and high legibility ring true in almost any watch I happen to come across from the brand. Epitomising German engineering and design principles, the brand also has a few patented watch technologies to its credit such as DIAPAL lubrication-free escapement and Tegiment steel hardening besides winning a few Red Dot Product Design Awards along the way.
Sinn watches have come to be known for their sturdiness and practicality; the new offerings are no different. There is a certain coolness of I-don’t-give-a-damn attitude and the no-nonsense tool watch appeal about their offerings that wins my heart.
Sinn has its own unique design language and architecture to its watches. The new 2020 Sinn watches remind me of a quote. The American-German architect Ludwig Mies van der Rohe once said: “Architecture is a language. When you are very good, you can be a poet.”
To find out more about these new 2020 Sinn watches and other Sinn releases, head to their website here.
