Sinn has announced two brand new limited edition watches, with each representing a fresh riff on an iconic design. In these two limited editions, we see much of what makes Sinn special to many collectors and enthusiasts in two watch genres that are right in their wheelhouse: the chronograph, and the pilot’s watch. Sinn, at times, has experimented with these formats and used their proprietary technologies to make watches that are design forward and quite contemporary, but both of the watches recently introduced are on the more traditional end of the spectrum.
Sinn 158
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Dial: Black
- Dimensions: 43 x 15mm
- Crystal: Acrylic
- Water Resistance: 10 bar
- Crown: Push/pull
- Movement: Sellita SW510
- Strap/bracelet: Textile, leather, silicone
- Price: $2,660
- Reference Number: 158
- Expected Release: First shipments in March 2020
Sinn 104 St Sa A B E
- Case Material: Stainless steel
- Dial: Blue
- Dimensions: 41 x 11.5mm
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Water Resistance: 20 bar
- Crown: Screw down
- Movement: Sellita SW-220-1
- Strap/bracelet: Canvas/leather
- Price: $1,430
- Reference Number: 104 St Sa A B E
- Expected Release: First shipments in March 2020
First up is Model 158, a modern reissue of the classic (and extremely collectible) two-register pilot’s chronograph, the Sinn Bundeswehr chronograph, model 155 Bw. The story of the 155 Bw will be familiar to long time Sinn aficionados, as each began its life as another watch entirely, made by Heuer-Leonidas for the German military. Helmut Sinn was able to purchase unused stock of these would-be military issued chronographs, and with a touch of reconditioning to reflect Sinn branding, the 155 Bw was born. Naturally, as the production was dependent on a donor watch from another source, these were quite rare even at the time they were sold, and have become highly sought after by chronograph lovers, and thus a prime candidate for the reissue treatment.
Fans of watches from this era in Sinn’s history will be pleased with what the brand has come up with to pay tribute to the 155 Bw. It’s a 43mm stainless steel case that has been bead blasted for a decidedly toolish look and feel. The crystal is old fashioned acrylic, not sapphire, and the bezel is anodized aluminum, just like the originals. The dial is clean and legible, and it boasts a handset that is a small departure from the set found on the original, pulling instead from the legendary Lemania-powered 156 chronograph. The movement is the only concession to modernity here ‚ the 158 is powered by a Sellita SW510, and automatic caliber with running seconds at 9:00, a minute totalizer at 3:00, and a date at 6:00 (the original 155 Bw used a hand wound Valjoux 230 movement). The Sinn 158 is limited to just 500 pieces in total.
Next up is the 104 St Sa A B E. This watch is perhaps a bit easier to understand than the 158, as it’s not a reintroduction of a specific watch from Sinn’s history, but simply a limited edition variant of one of their most popular offerings. The 104, of course, is one of Sinn’s most popular and pure aviation inspired watches. The standard version comes with a black dial (and a choice of Arabic numerals or rectangular indices), and in the past it has also been made available in white, green, and sunburst anthracite variants. This edition in blue with ivory colored faux-tina lume is limited to 1000 pieces. While the case is polished and the dial is not a traditional color for a pilot’s watch, the 104 is notable in that it’s always extremely capable as a tool watch, regardless of how it happens to be treated aesthetically. This version, like the others, is water resistant to 200 meters and features a screw down crown, along with a sapphire crystal.
Watchbuys is the exclusive US Sinn distributor, and these new limited editions can be pre-ordered directly from their website. Sinn
