Sinn at Baselworld 2016: The Highlights
We say this every year, but it bears repeating; Sinn is one of our favorite brands. The German company makes great looking, high quality watches that are equipped with loads of innovation and, yet, they manage to price their timepieces on the right side of rational. We always have a great experience meeting with them at the big show, so we were very much looking forward to sitting down with Sinn at Baselworld 2016.
First off, Sinn at Baselworld 2016 represented a slight departure. The brand went with a smaller booth this year, as they’re clearly hard at work building a new headquarters in Frankfurt am Main, Germany. Plus, they’ve been busy over the last year with new model additions and a new boutique opening in Frankfurt that we covered. Additionally, the focus on the future was seen in the number of novelties because it all felt a little less in number versus 2015. However, smaller in number doesn’t mean less interesting because Sinn brought one of our favorites of the show. Let’s take a brief look (all prices are for the German market only).
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: 910 Anniversary Split-Seconds Chronograph
Sinn 910 Anniversary
I’ll cut to the chase, when visiting Sinn at Baselworld 2016, this was THE watch that really blew me away. The new 910 Anniversary is a split seconds chronograph (rattrapante) with column wheel movement based on the venerable Valjoux 7750.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: 910 Anniversary movement features a Valjoux 7750 with column wheel
It’s a wearable 41.5mm in diameter and features a display case back and 100m of water resistance. Just 300 pieces of the 910 will be made and the price in Germany will be 5500 – Euros and includes both a leather strap and steel bracelet.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: 910 Anniversary on the wrist
Our take: Yep, I loved this one. The Sinn 910 is such a clean, classic design and that’s rare for new chronographs today. I also like the fact that it’s a cream color instead of the normal black or white. Niceties like red hands for one of the central chrono indicators lend some subtle contrast as well.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: 910 Anniversary features some beautiful dial details
An applied Sinn logo also classes up the watch and allows it strike a fine balance between sporty and dressy: something Sinn does so well with its financial series of watches. No, it’s not inexpensive, but considering the level of finishing and the fact that a split seconds chronograph at 5500 Euros new is all but impossible to find, it’s actually reasonable. Oh, and if you’re griping, it probably doesn’t make a difference as I’d bet they’re nearly sold out…
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: 556 Anniversary
Sinn 556 Anniversary
Value for money is a real sweet spot for Sinn and for their 55th anniversary; they brought a piece that displays this notion quite well. The 556 Anniversary was shown to us by Sinn at Baselworld 2016 as a tribute to their fans and will be made in a limited edition of 1,000 pieces. It’s essentially a 556, which is an attractive and simple 3-handed watch. In this case, it features an anthracite dial and a simple “1961-2016” above 6:00.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: the 556 Anniversary movement
For 1,000 Euros on a leather strap, you’re treated to a piece that’s 38.5mm in diameter, 200m water resistant, and equipped with the ETA 2824-2. It should be noted that this is 150 Euros higher than the black-dialed version of the 556 but in the black dials, the choice of a no-date model comes only with Arabic numerals (556A) . The Anniversary model actually follows the design of the date model (556I).
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: 556 Anniversary dial features the 55th anniversary of the company and an anthracite sunburst dial
Our take: For 1,000 Euros, it’s hard to go wrong with such a wearable watch that will look good with everything from a bracelet to multiple styles of strap. It’s a great watch for about any situation as well. Sure, I’d probably choose the 104, but that’s just preference. The dial on the 556 Anniversary was beautiful with its sunburst finish and many people will like the fact that it’s limited – a solid entry from Sinn at Baselworld 2016 for sure.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: 856 B-Uhr on the cuff
Sinn 856 B-Uhr
I have the feeling that for most people, the 856 B-Uhr was the star from Sinn at Baselworld 2016. It was very hard to ignore the color scheme on this watch, especially when paired with the caramel-toned cuff strap. This year, Sinn decided to make a tribute to the first deck watches, but while most companies make this style of watch in massive sizes, Sinn treated us to a very wearable 40mm version. The B-Uhr will be produced in an edition of 856 pieces and will cost 1590 Euros on the cuff (a normal 856 costs 1430 Euros). This watch is stacked with capability like a Tegimented (scratch-proof) case, AR-dehumidifying technology, antimagnetic properties, and 200m of water resistance. The movement is the Sellita SW300-1.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: 856 B-Uhr Tegimented case
Our take: The 856 B-Uhr is my other favorite from Sinn at Baselworld 2016. I loved the dial layout and the cool hands. I even like the warm lume. As always, the cuff was too large for me, but it was very comfortable. Due to the retro nature of this watch, it’s probably a bit less versatile for the workplace, etc., but this is one great looking watch at an approachable price. As a limited model, I am sure it will go quickly.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: U1 Camouflage features a silicone strap as well as a Zulu
Sinn U1 Camouflage
And from the Department of Wild Watches Department, Sinn at Baselworld 2016 showed us a new U1, or were we? Ok, a poor joke due to the new U1 having a camouflage dial – hey, it would look cool with our cameraman Bert’s pants! Seriously, though, this was a bit of a surprise from the brand. It’s essentially a normal U1 (made of German submarine steel) but with a crazy dial. Only 500 pieces will be made and it will cost 1950 Euros and come with a cool olive silicone strap and olive Zulu. As a note, this is 305 Euros more than a U1 with silicone strap.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: U1 Camouflage dial
Our take: Well, I do like the U1 as it’s probably Sinn’s most famous dive watch. I suppose I am not the target for this piece, but the dial is well executed and it does look good on either strap. I guess my biggest beef is that while it contains all the functionality of a normal U1, it’s a bit of a nod to style over substance because I question its underwater legibility. Anyhow, chalk it up to rare whimsy from the normally stoic brand.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: U-212
Sinn U-212
The U-212 isn’t really a new release from Sinn at Baselworld 2016, but because it was released in later 2015, I hadn’t seen it in person (for an in-depth review, see Robert-Jan’s recent look). It actually follows up on the U-212 SE that was released last year at Baselworld with a black case. The U-212 is a big, 47mm diver made of German U-boat steel with a water resistance of 1000m. It fits in Sinn’s famed EZM series as #16. This is a seriously heavy watch in steel and contains the company’s AR technology and a Tegimented bezel. The price on bracelet is a competitive 2445 Euros.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: U-212 features a massive crown
Our take: As a Sinn T2 (EZM15) owner, I love the looks of all traditional Sinn divers. They’re so damn functional and clean looking and offer a ton of tech and functionality for the money. The U-212 is no different and it’s built to go through a wall and whatever else may come one’s way. This watch is definitely too large for me, but that’s ok. It’s pretty cool and features what must be the largest crown I’ve ever seen. In fact, this would be a pretty cool watch to test head to head against Seiko’s Emperor Tuna.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: The 6200 Meisterbund I – 55 made and all are sold
Sinn 6200 Meisterbund I
The 6200 Meisterbund I as shown to us by Sinn at Baselworld 2016 was an interesting departure from the brand. Yes, Sinn makes dress watches today, but the idea behind the 6200 is a bit different. Sinn explained to us that they wanted to produce a watch with other German firms in order to create a piece entirely in Germany.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: The 6200 Meisterbund I and its case maker, SUG
SUG, the brand Sinn most often uses for its cases, was chosen to create the 18k gold case.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: The 6200 Meisterbund I UWD hand wound movement
Uhren-Werke-Dresden (UWD) has made the 19-jewel hand wound movement and Sinn has assembled the watch and crafted the dial. The watch is an attractive 40mm and contains a beautiful electroplated guilloche (not hand finished) dial. 55 pieces will be made and, sorry, they’re all gone. Still, we thought it was worth mentioning because it may be the first of many interesting things from the trio. The price was 12,900 Euros.
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: The 6200 Meisterbund I with its guilloche dial
Our take: The 6200 Meisterbund I was a watch to be appreciated. Even though, I fancy tool watches from the brand, it’s an admirable move and I do look forward to more from the group…imagine a hand-wound flieger!
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: The 6200 Meisterbund I case inscription
I think my only challenge on the 6200 is the huge, toolish inscription on the side of the case. However, my little niggle seems to have gone unnoticed by the 55 people who have already bought this piece!
Sinn at Baselworld 2016: 856 B-Uhr made in a series of 856 pieces
Conclusions on Sinn at Baselworld 2016
Thanks for taking a look at the newest pieces from Sinn at Baselworld 2016. As one who lives in Sinn’s “hometown”, I like to see the brand do well and I think they’ve scored again. For me, the 910 rattrapante and the 856 B-Uhr were real hits. I guess my only wish from Sinn is that they had introduced some new serial production models, but they do have a very fresh lineup nonetheless and they do release new pieces throughout the year (the U-212 as an example). As always, we thank the Sinn team for their hospitality during this year’s event and look forward to more!
For more on Sinn, head to their official site.
