Is Sinn any good?

[M45]

I recently bought a DOXA and after it broke, the nightmare of having to deal with the warranty service, I just threw it in a desk drawer never to be seen and heard from again.

I see advertisements for Sinn watches a lot online, and some people seem to swear by them, and some of them actually look pretty cool, if you forgive the fact that they have more special editions than Omega during a James Bond movie release year. They also claim to be made from German submarine steel, whatever the hell that is.

Are they reliable? Is warranty support any good?

I mean, on paper, they seem to be taking off-the-shelf movements and dropping them into pretty decent looking watch cases but acting like they are high end watch manufacturer.

[214270Explorer]

I have never owned a Sinn, but done research regarding their watches when I was earlier interested in the U1 (never did buy one.)
Most of the owners seem to really love their Sinn watches.
I don't know of / haven't heard of any ongoing quality issues.

German Submarine steel is especially tough and corrosion resistant. Sinn's claim to fame, if you will.

BTW many, many mfr's drop movements into their own cases and charge big bucks.

[ashbaug2]

Originally Posted by M45

I recently bought a DOXA and after it broke, the nightmare of having to deal with the warranty service, I just threw it in a desk drawer never to be seen and heard from again.

I see advertisements for Sinn watches a lot online, and some people seem to swear by them, and some of them actually look pretty cool, if you forgive the fact that they have more special editions than Omega during a James Bond movie release year. They also claim to be made from German submarine steel, whatever the hell that is.

Are they reliable? Is warranty support any good?

I'm curious about what happened to the Doxa, that's really a first I've heard of any issues with them. I had a Sub300 Searambler but sold it, only for the fact that the silver dial on steel case with steel bezel was quite illegible... Other than that, they seemed great.

Sinn is THE tool watch to have these days, IMO. German industrial design and manufacturing, super legible, and from everything I've heard their warranty is excellent and covers "most" things. That said, no one I've talked to has ever needed to use it, because they are beasts.

Are you looking at a chronograph or diver? Most of their movements are ETA based, or direct drop-ins, but they do some modifications, as well. I think their basic Sinn 103 chrono is just a ETA 7750, and most of their divers are 2892s. But they ALSO modify a lot with their own escapement technology, and even have a few central-minute hand chronographs (check out the EZM 1 and EZM 13; they also have a bicompax in-house in the 936 chrono).

I don't think you will go wrong with a Sinn. I've worn a 104 St Sa on loan from a buddy, and it wears very, very well. My next purchase will be an EZM 13; I almost pulled the trigger last year in Germany at an AD, but they wouldn't go down in price. I kick myself now...

Also their H-link bracelet is super comfy. It's no Rolex Jubilee, but just as good as the Oyster, IMO.

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

German Submarine steel is especially tough and corrosion resistant. Sinn's claim to fame, if you will.

Hmmm, not quite. Their real claim to fame is their Bundeswehr contract that they took over from Heuer in the mid-1980s (I think...). If you have a German-issued Heuer 155 Bund Chrono, it was most likely serviced by Helmut Sinn at some point. The Submarine Steel is definitely a gimmick when you start looking at other things they do, such as their DIAPAL escapement and dehumidifying capsules. It's also pointless when they also use the Tegimented steel, giving basically the same corrosion and scratch resistance. Not to knock anyone trying anything new, I'm all for making watches more durable any way they can.

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

BTW many, many mfr's drop movements into their own cases and charge big bucks.

THIS. So many watch companies just drop in Swiss or Japanese off the shelf movements. They might embellish the rotor a little and call it a different name to throw you off their scent, but its way more common than you think. Everyone, from Rolex to Omega to Panerai to Vacheron, used other brand's movements; heck, the significant growth of Swiss watches from the 90s onward probably wouldn't have been possible without ETA manufacturing quality movements for brands to drop in their watches.

There's really nothing wrong with an ETA movement, since it will be easily repaired by literally any watchmaker on the planet.

[M45]

Originally Posted by 214270Explorer

BTW many, many mfr's drop movements into their own cases and charge big bucks.

That’s very true, but we are at that point where I don’t think you can demand a huge premium if you do, even Tudor now makes (most of) their movements in house.

That’s why I never bought a Bell & Ross watch, it’s too much money for an off-the-shelf movement.

[scarlet knight]

Like mine for several years


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[M45]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

Like mine for several years


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Nice!

[nebulight]

Sinn is a great watch for what it is. If you don't get hung up on the movement (basic Sellita or ETA) then it's pretty nice. I've owned an 856 and have my eye on their new U50 diver. I just hope they release this version as a GMT.

[2loaded]

Love the hypodermic hands.
I routinely browse for a DIAPAL

[enjoythemusic]

Sinn is good, like basic Bell&Ross in overall 'package'... and i've beaten the living sh__ out of the B&R. Get the Sinn if you prefer, all good.

[vman]

Got a BNIB Sinn from an AD and returned it within 24 hours. The watch gained 24 secs in less than a day and bezel had a lot of play.

IMHO, the best "tool" bang for you $ is Seiko.

[214270Explorer]

Originally Posted by ashbaug2

Hmmm, not quite. Their real claim to fame is their Bundeswehr contract that they took over from Heuer in the mid-1980s (I think...). If you have a German-issued Heuer 155 Bund Chrono, it was most likely serviced by Helmut Sinn at some point. The Submarine Steel is definitely a gimmick when you start looking at other things they do, such as their DIAPAL escapement and dehumidifying capsules. It's also pointless when they also use the Tegimented steel, giving basically the same corrosion and scratch resistance. Not to knock anyone trying anything new, I'm all for making watches more durable any way they can.

I think I read somewhere that Damasko used to supply some special cases to Sinn, or something along that line? Anyone remember?

[Dan Pierce]

Love my 757 UTC. Tons of features and loaded w/ Sinn innovations like copper sulphate capsule, tegiment steel, and faraday cage movement protection. Lots of value for the investment.
dP

[Ona]

Haven't really brought myself to purchase one guess because it looks busy to me... other than that though, I think it's a cool piece.

[asiparks]

Sinn are fantastic- they used to make watches for Bell and Ross, before B&R were doing their own designs.

Submarine steel refers to the tegmented finishing on their dive watches that makes them almost impervious to scratching. It works very well.

If you like simplicity, there are the 556 and 856 pilot models, or the U1, U2 and related dive watches. Even their most complex dials are highly legible.

They used to be very competitively priced until their sole US distributer started jacking it up, that said - still a lot of watch for the money.

I had a U1 for a while, alas no more- just these two now...

[CanPam]

Sinn makes great watches but they have big problems with quality issues and the after sales service. I've had 3 Sinns and each one of them had an issue. I'm german and in the german forums these are knowing facts. Google "sinn quality" and you'll see what I mean...

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[Russell996]

Originally Posted by asiparks

Sinn are fantastic- they used to make watches for Bell and Ross, before B&R were doing their own designs.

Submarine steel refers to the tegmented finishing on their dive watches that makes them almost impervious to scratching. It works very well.

If you like simplicity, there are the 556 and 856 pilot models, or the U1, U2 and related dive watches. Even their most complex dials are highly legible.

They used to be very competitively priced until their sole US distributer started jacking it up, that said - still a lot of watch for the money.

I believe submarine steel refers to it’s corrosion resistance to salt water, tegimented steel is different again. For instance, the U1 uses submarine steel for the case and crown and tegimented steel for the bezel.

[Wahlberg]

What happened to your Doxa?

Originally Posted by CanPam

Sinn makes great watches but they have big problems with quality issues and the after sales service. I've had 3 Sinns and each one of them had an issue. I'm german and in the german forums these are knowing facts. Google "sinn quality" and you'll see what I mean...

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This topic I assume?

https://uhrforum.de/threads/sinn-und....352255/page-4

[cascavel]

Why not skip the Sinn and go straight to a Tudor?

[ts3]

Originally Posted by cascavel

Why not skip the Sinn and go straight to a Tudor?

For me it is between Sinn and and 1980s to early 2000s IWC when I think tool watch / beater.

[ashbaug2]

Originally Posted by vman

Got a BNIB Sinn from an AD and returned it within 24 hours. The watch gained 24 secs in less than a day and bezel had a lot of play.

IMHO, the best "tool" bang for you $ is Seiko.

Great point, Seiko still holds the torch for beater tool watches. But one thing they don't do well is keeping a small size when it comes to complications. And they don't have a chrono-diver, such as the EZM 1 or EZM 13, both of which can use the pushers under water up to 15m below the surface without compromising the water resistance. Sinn designed their hard-use watches for actual hard use. Seiko will take a beating, for sure, though. I'm intrigued by their LX line, specifically the all-black diver.

But something tells me the OP isn't interested in Seiko...

[scarlet knight]

Seiko and Sinn have a different feel. I own and enjoy both.

[EdwardC]

Sinn is tough as nails. If you have a 7 inch or bigger risk that will look awesome on your wrist.

[yowlie]

I love Sinn. Especially the oil-filled EZM-2. Very unique watch with a great look, because the hands appear to be in the glass and can be seen from any angle. They need better spring bars. I have done long swims with them and had a spring bar bend when on nato.

[DoraTheExplorerII]

Originally Posted by Dan Pierce

Love my 757 UTC. Tons of features and loaded w/ Sinn innovations like copper sulphate capsule, tegiment steel, and faraday cage movement protection. Lots of value for the investment.
dP

I had to look up what that capsule does cause I thought it was for when you get captured behind enemy lines

[Dan Pierce]

Originally Posted by DoraTheExplorerII

I had to look up what that capsule does cause I thought it was for when you get captured behind enemy lines

Whatever get the job done.
dP