Sinn 556 Review: What Makes This Tool Watch Stand Out?
Sinn is, without a doubt, one of the most trusted watch brands by enthusiasts. It’s a favourite among collectors, especially those who adore tool watches. Military watch fans also love Sinn for its craftsmanship and great engineering. With a style that’s impossible to beat, Sinn produces only modern classics like no other brand. One of its most popular models is the Sinn 556. The model has two versions that have subtle yet stark differences, the Sinn 556i and 556a.
In this entry, we will take a deeper look into the difference between the two and what makes both of them stand out. We will also review every aspect of the Sinn 556i, and why it’s more popular than its counterpart.
Sinn 556 Watches
From the Sinn Instrument collection, you’ll find its well-loved watches, the Sinn 556. Both the Sinn 556i and Sinn 556a models are popular among collectors, and both watches offer something different. Let’s take a look at the Sinn 556a and how it differs from the Sinn 556i.
Firstly, the dials of the watches differ greatly from markers alone. Sinn 556a has Arabic numerals for 3, 6, 9, and 12 o’clock. These numbers occupy much of the dial. However, they remain balanced with the size of the watch. The Sinn 556i, on the other hand, only has thick lines for markers. It’s a more understated design and allows the dial to breathe more.
For the finish of the dial, the 556i has more of a glossy finish to its dial. Be it black or blue, it still has a great gloss that gives the watch dimensions. However, despite it being glossy, it’s still a very dark watch, especially the black one. The blue dial gives a more refined look if you ask me. However, the black dial offers more versatility when it comes to styling.
On the other hand, the Sinn 556a has more of a matte dial. This, therefore, gives the watch a more utilitarian look. Many collectors compare the Sinn 556a to the Rolex Explorer, and rightfully so. The design of both watches is almost identical.
Moreover, both watches fit a stainless steel bracelet or a leather strap. For better comfort and an even better fit, you can also replace it with a NATO strap. Both are undeniably great military watches, but the 556i stands out for its adaptability. As much as the Sinn 556i is a tool watch, it also perfectly works as a dress watch due to its clean dial.
The Sinn 556i
Now, let’s take a good look at the Sinn 556i and why it’s a favourite among collectors and enthusiasts alike.
For starters, there’s something about the blackness of the Sinn 556i that makes it incredibly irresistible. Sure, we’ve seen white markers on a black dial on watches, such as the IWC Pilot Mark XVIII and even the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical. However, they’re not nearly as black as this watch. You can also find even darker blacks in watches like the MCT Sequential One S110 Evo Vantablack. Still, there’s something even more striking about this Sinn 556 watch. That said, let’s take a look at the watch’s captivating dial.
1. Dial
The thing about gloss dials is that they usually make the watch a little less legible. Its usual effects are that it distracts the eye from the information. However, you should take the dial of the Sinn 556i differently. When we said that it has a gloss dial, we mean that it has a very dynamic dial that makes it an elegant choice. The darkness of the dial draws you in to see the information right at a single glance.
When it comes to the indexes, the dial of the Sinn 556i cuts the chase by about 100%, compared to other dials (even compared to 556a). There’s nothing to figure out with this watch’s dial. There are only two markers all over the dial. Firstly, you get a large white rectangle every hour or every five minutes. They’re big enough to attract attention and sleek enough not to look chunky. For the individual minutes, you get a smaller white marker, little lines if you may. It’s not distracting but it’s also not overpowering.
As you can see, there’s nothing more to this watch than these markers. It’s very simplistic in a sense and that’s one thing we love about the Sinn 556i. There are no double lines or triangles for certain markers, and no other sizing involved. Against the black dial, they all look clean and incredibly white. The only difference is that at 3 o’clock, the marker is a tad shorter to make way for the date window which is also incredibly legible in a simple white-on-black design. All the markers on this watch have lume so you don’t have to worry about not seeing any information in the dark.
With the well-balanced markers, you also get inscriptions that don’t overwhelm the dial. There’s nothing fancy about the words written on the dial. First, you see the Sinn logo below 12 o’clock. Then, right above 6 o’clock is the word “AUTOMATIK”. A tiny little “Made in Germany” sandwiches the 6 o’clock marker as well. All these are well-thought-of in size and thickness. Even the kerning makes it look like the letters can breathe.
As expected, the hands also prove proportioned against the dial. They’re large but not too big that they take up most of the space on the dial. Edge-to-edge, the hands have lume and to match the dial, the anchor points of the hands come in matte black. Many users say that the lume of the 556i isn’t impressive but it’s forgivable for the other features of the watch.
2. Case
We mentioned how Sinn is well-known in the industry for its cases. The company is the only one that has its own case manufacture located in Glashutte, Germany. It’s called Sächsische Uhrentechnologie GmbH or SUG. So, you can only expect the best from the Sinn 556i or any Sinn watch for that matter.
The balanced dial of the watch isn’t possible without a case of great size. It’s perfectly proportional, especially as a tool watch. The Sinn 556i has about 38.5mm in diameter and stands 11mm thick. That’s not bad, especially for a tool watch. It has 20mm lugs so it makes the watch look compact. Given that the Sinn 556i has 200 metres of water-resistance, overall, it’s a wonderful case for a powerful watch.
Looking at the watch from overhead, you see a very cylindrical centre case. However, its sides are designed in slabs. Plus, the lugs are tapered so that they have a flat end. The chamfered bezel also proves broad and adds mass to the case. It’s a wonderful addition to the watch’s dimensions. The screw-down crown has guards and is big enough to be used but not too large. It has coin edges for a good grip with a tip that has Sinn’s “S” logo.
This watch comes with an exhibition caseback. A sapphire crystal protects the display that gives you a wonderful view of the ETA 2824-2 movement that powers the watch. There’s nothing fancy about the design of the watch, but it’s a classy take on a case. The screw-down design of the crown helps with the water-resistance of the watch as well.
What we love most about the watch is its sanitized finish. It means that the watch has evenly brushed and polished finishes. It’s somewhere in between, so it looks classy yet not too showy. As a tool watch, it looks rugged enough but with its finish, it’s also a great dress watch to wear on formal events.
The lugs of the Sinn 556i also come drilled so that you can easily remove and replace the strap. It’s not a very popular choice if you want a clean-looking watch, but it’s a tool watch and the convenience of changing the strap is much needed.
Moreover, the anti-reflective coating on either side of the 556i’s sapphire crystal greatly helps with legibility. You’ll get the information you need without struggling to find an angle to do so. With that said, it appears so that there’s no crystal over the dial. It’s that clean. However, be careful when using the watch as it also easily gets stained.
3. Movement
Powering this watch is the popular ETA calibre 2824-2. It’s a well-known movement and considered a workhorse. Since its production in 1982, it’s been a top choice among watchmakers. It has about 38 hours of power reserve and beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour.
4. Bracelet
There are various strap options for the watch. However, it seems as if the most popular choice is the Sinn 556i in black leather strap. It greatly complements the dark dial and blurs the line between a tool watch and a dress watch. However, many people also wear this watch with a NATO strap due to its nature. It is, after all, a tool watch, and wearing it with a fabric strap makes complete sense for outdoor adventures. You can, of course, wear it with a Sinn 556i in stainless steel bracelet. That’s also a good choice for a smart casual setting. The great thing about the watch is that it generally wears well no matter the occasion. It’s made easier by changing the straps.
About Sinn Watches
Sinn, as a brand, is relatively new compared to other watch manufacturers. Helmut Sinn, a former World War II pilot, and flight instructor, founded the brand in 1961. At the time, the company carried the name “Helmut Sinn Spezialuhren”. Headquartered in Frankfurt am Main, the company manufactured navigation clocks and pilot chronographs. So, creating tool watches as they do today, isn’t far off from the company’s primary market.
Sinn Watches in Space
By the 1980s, the company was already making a name throughout the German watch market. One particular feat of the brand at the time is through the 140 S. Dr Reinhard Furrer, a German physicist and astronaut, who wore the watch during the D-1 Spacelab mission. This proved that the watch’s self-winding mechanism functions despite being in a weightless environment. It only began the flight of Sinn watches to space.
In 1992, an evolution of the watch, the 142 S, accompanied astronaut Klaus-Dietrich Flade during the Mir-92 missions.
Come 1993, the 142 space chronograph once again headed to space. This time, for the second German Spacelab mission, D-2. The whole crew wore the watch during their 10-day stay in space. The model flew a total of 6.7 million kilometres and orbited the earth about 160 times. All this happened while on-board the NASA Space Shuttle Columbia.
Reorganisation of the Brand
In 1994, Helmut Sinn sold the company to former IWC director, Lothar Schmidt. Schmidt is also a certified engineer. So, when he acquired the company, he not only initiated a major reorganisation but also enhanced its technological developments. Under Schmidt’s management, the company was also renamed “Sinn Spezialuhren GmbH”.
Among the new models under Schmidt’s leadership is the Sinn 244. It’s a titanium watch that has Magnetic Field Protection. It also has a freely oscillating suspended movement. This very watch proved the Sinn watches exceed the DIN standard for anti-magnetic watches. It even minimises all magnetic disruption on the watch.
New technologies also emerged in the brand such as the Tigiment hardened cases. The company also used Ar-Dehumidifying Technology by utilizing special gases. Meanwhile, the DIAPAL technology allowed the replacement of rubies in the escapement. The company now uses diamonds for lubricant-free movement. Cases made by Sinn also became popular in the industry as they carried the same steel used in German submarines. In fact, Sinn manufactures cases for brands, such as A. Lange & Sohne.
Sinn 556i: A Watch Stand-Out Tool Watch
It’s hard to argue with the facts. The Sinn 556i is one of the best tool watches on the market. Personally, the selling point of the watch is its simplicity. The lack of numerals and the well-balanced dial against a dark glossy dial pays well. Sure, it falls short when it comes to lume, but it surely makes up for other aspects. It has great water-resistance, as well as a powerful movement that provides precise readings. At the end of the day, the watch can only be as great as you treat it. Are you going to use it for its sportier functions or for its aesthetic features? Either way, it’s a great choice for a timepiece, especially coming from a brand like Sinn.
Can’t get enough of clean dials? Check out our rundown of the 7 best IWC Big Pilot watches.
Photo credit: All photos courtesy of Sinn watches.
