Sinn Diving Watches Watches

The rich past of the brand

When it comes to high-end German watch brands, Sinn is a brand to be reckoned with. The company was established in 1961 by former World War II pilot, Helmut Sinn. At the time, they were focused on pilot chronographs and navigation clocks. In 1985, the brand found itself in the news when Professor Dr. Reinhard Furrer, a German physicist and astronaut, wore the 140 S on his wrist while in space. This proved that the company’s mechanical self-winding wristwatches work in weightless conditions. In 1992 and 1993, the 142 S and D-2 space chronograph too went to space.

A new era began in 1994 when the company was acquired by Lothar Schmidt. It was then renamed as Sinn Spezialuhren GmbH. In 1995, the brand launched its first gold watch. They also introduced Ar- Dehumidifying technology in a diving watch. This new technology kept the timepiece crystal clear even when exposed to sudden temperature changes, thus improving its functionality as well as its lifespan. A year later, in 1996, the company introduced HYDRO technology to guarantee relief from fogging and pressure resistance underwater. In 1998, Sinn perfected the Ar- Dehumidifying technology to launch Temperature Resistance Technology. With this new development, Sinn watches would remain functional at all temperatures from –45 °C to +80 °C. Their chronograph, 303 KRISTALL passed the Yukon Quest, the most demanding dogsled race at the time, with flying colours. The brand became the first recipient of the “Goldene Unruh” award.

At the turn of the century, the company launched another new technology, DIAPAL, with its 18-carat white gold Frankfurt Financial District Watch, and TEGIMENT technology in the 756 model. In 2005, Sinn watches started using German Submarine Steel in the cases for diving models. They also became the first watch company to have their diving watches certified by Germanischer Lloyd of Hamburg for complying with the European standards for diving equipment. In 2015, the EZM 2B SINN diving watch became the official timepiece for Germany’s commando frogman force KSM. Since then, the company has continued to grow and prove its outstanding design quality and functionality. Their award collection now includes the Red Dot Award for Product design in 2020.

What makes Sinn diver watches special?

Sinn was the first watchmaker that manufactured diving-specific German watches that complied with European diving equipment standards, tested them and had these certified for water resistance, pressure resistance and fogging resistance. Their material choice, innovative technology and unique designs make them favorite for divers across the world.

The watch company has such faith in its product quality that unlike other luxury watch brands, they have stayed away from celebrity endorsements and do not practice any form of mass marketing. They’re also known for never offering discounts. The high-end models of Sinn watches might cost you somewhere around $4000-$5000. That said, these German watches offer excellent value for money and will last a lifetime.

Some of the iconic Sinn watches

The SINN diving watch range has over 35 current models. These timepieces are flaunted by both men and women and are characterized by clearly legible dials with unidirectional bezels. Each design is unique with its own special features, but over the years, some have stood out more than the others. A few like the 206 ARKTIS II, the 206 St Ar and the EZM 13 even have chronograph functions. Also notable are the different positions of the crown.

The Diving Watch U1

The case and crown of the U1 diving watch are constructed with the same steel used to manufacture the external hulls of German submarine class 212. This metal is not only extremely resistant to seawater, but also has a non-magnetic quality without any residual magnetism. The bezel uses TEGIMENT technology that makes the metal much harder and gives it extreme scratch-resistant properties. With a 44mm diameter case, the watch is pressure-resistant up to 1000m diving depth. In terms of its mechanics, the watch uses a self-winding mechanism. The dial itself is simple, bold, and designed for clear readability underwater. A date window at the 3 ‘o'clock position adds functionality while the unidirectional bezel has minute ratcheting and a luminous key mark. The indices and watch hands are also luminescent. Unlike the more commercial timepieces available in the market, the U1 diving German watch has a crown at the 4 ‘o'clock position. It is available with a leather strap, silicon strap and solid steel bracelet. If you’re looking for something sportier, there’s a model from a limited edition series with a camouflage dial.

The Diving Watch U50

The 41mm SINN U50 is a smaller, slimmer, and more compact version of the U1 diving watch. However, it still meets all the functionalities needed and retains all the signature elements. They are modern, utilitarian and efficient. Made from German submarine steel with a TEGIMENT coating, these watches are designed for professional divers who like to test their limits. It’s water-resistant up to a depth of 500m. Even if you do happen to hit the watch against the hull of a boat or a rock on the sea bed, there’s little risk of the watch getting scratched. This timepiece is one of the best examples of Sinn’s engineered dive watches. In terms of watch standards and certifications, it has been pressure tested by DNV GL and meets all the requirements of the DIN 8306 diving norms and EN 250 / EN14143 European diving equipment standards. Its superior functionality is matched by aesthetic touches such as a tone-on-tone disc, a sleek date window at the 3 ‘o'clock position, unidirectional bezel and choice in watch strap colors and materials.

Dive deep into the world’s wonders with Sinn

SINN diving watches aren’t for desk diving, but rather for exploring the underwater world as completely as possible. In terms of pricing, SINN diving watches will usually cost you upwards of $2000. But the money you shell out is more than worth it. The timepieces are available online too and can be shipped across the world. So, if you’re looking for a watch that you can use to time your deep sea dives reliably, this is just what you need.