Sinn – Watch Advice https://www.watchadvice.com.au Luxury watch reviews, news & advice Thu, 14 Oct 2021 14:34:10 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=5.8.1 2021 Sinn Frankfurt Financial District Watch 6068B and Frankfurt World Time Watch 6060B https://www.watchadvice.com.au/9946/2021-sinn-frankfurt-financial-district-watch-6068b-and-frankfurt-world-time-watch-6060b/ https://www.watchadvice.com.au/9946/2021-sinn-frankfurt-financial-district-watch-6068b-and-frankfurt-world-time-watch-6060b/#respond Thu, 14 Oct 2021 14:34:07 +0000 https://www.watchadvice.com.au/?p=9946 Sinn earlier this month released two special blue dial timepieces that feature the classic three-hander and also a world-time watch. These latest releases also play a significant role in extending the brand’s lineup of classic elegant watches. Up until 1999, Sinn, or better yet “Sinn Spezialuhren” as it was known back then, was thought of as a company that specialised mainly in pilot and diving timepieces. Then came along the first “Frankfurt Financial District Watch” and it marked the beginning of Sinn’s expansion into classical timepieces. 

Now, Sinn is further expanding the more classic timepieces with the release of the updated Frankfurt Financial District Watch 6060B and Frankfurt World Time Watch 6060B

Sinn 6068B

This timepiece has elegance and luxury written all over it. The watch has a beautiful contrasting dial which starts of with the blue -sunburst background. The hour indices are coated in white SuperLumi-Nova, which gives that sharp contrast against the blue dial background. There is also a subtle date window placed between the 4 o’clock and 5 o’clock positions. All of this is encapsulated in a 38.5mm stainless steel polished case. 

The Frankfurt Financial District Watch 6068B features the same characteristics from models of the past that connoisseurs of this collection have come to known, such as the two time zones which can be read simultaneously, which on this timepiece is displayed on a 12-hour basis. 

This model features a Sellita movement, the SW-300-1. This SW-300-1 is a self-winding movement that operates at 4Hz (28, 800 VpH) and gives out a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. The case back is also open in which the exquisitely decorated movement with rotor engraved bull and bear can be seen. The back of the movement is certainly eye-catching as it also features Geneva stripes and blued screws. 

Sinn 6060B 

The Sinn Frankfurt World Time Watch 6060B watch features the same dial characteristics as the 6068B model. Enclosed in a 38.5mm case, the beautiful sunburst blue with contrasting white hour indices and hands has been used on this model as well.

The main difference between this and the Financial District Watch is that it is characterised by three time zones that can be read simultaneously. The main addition on the dial when compared to the 6068B model is the 24-hour ring in the inner portion of the dial, along with the hour indicator for the third timezone. 

The engine behind the Sinn Frankfurt World Time Watch 6060B is the Sellita SW-330-1 movement. This SW-330-1 movement operates at a frequency of 4Hz (28, 800 VpH) and gives out a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. Like the 6068B model, the Sinn Frankfurt World Time Watch 6060B comes with an open case back that features the same engravings and decorations. 

When purchasing either the Frankfurt Financial District Watch 6068B or the Frankfurt World Time Watch 6060B, the owner will receive a fine wooden case with a stainless-steel fine link bracelet, cowhide strap, band replacement tool, spare spring bars, an Eschenbach watchmaker’s loupe, a care cloth and also a brochure.

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Sinn U1 DE – The special edition to mark the 30th anniversary of German reunification https://www.watchadvice.com.au/6544/sinn-u1-de-the-special-edition-to-mark-the-30th-anniversary-of-german-reunification/ https://www.watchadvice.com.au/6544/sinn-u1-de-the-special-edition-to-mark-the-30th-anniversary-of-german-reunification/#respond Tue, 08 Sep 2020 15:59:16 +0000 https://www.watchadvice.com.au/?p=6544 On 9th November 1989, the Berlin wall fell, paving the way towards reunification of Germany which took place on 3rd October 1990. On 3rd October 2020 Germany will be celebrating 30th anniversary of this historic day and to acknowledge this day the German watchmaker SINN will introduce the U1 DE special edition watch in three variatns. For the German watchmaker SINN this day is significant as it symbolises the merging of East and West to this day: qualified engineer Lothar Schmidt, owner of Sinn Spezialuhren GmbH, and Doctor of Engineering Ronald Boldt, co-owner and Managing Director of Sächsische Uhrentechnologie GmbH Glashütte (SUG), have continued to develop the partnership established in 1999 between Sinn Spezialuhren and SUG. 

Sächsische Uhrentechnologie GmbH (SUG) produced only watch cases, many well-known watchmakers make up the main customer base for their cases and SINN is one of those companies. Lothar Schmidt and Ronald Boldt have created an upmarket case manufacturing company, which is now successfully managed primarily by Daniel Boldt.

Reference 1010.0241

Model U1 DE special edition for the 30th anniversary of German reunification is limited to 300 pieces. The watch case has been given black hard coating using TEGIMENT technology which provides highly effective protection against scratches. The method is not, however, based on the application of a coating. Instead it is the surface of the material itself, which is hardened by means of a special process, thereby creating a protective layer (“tegimentum” in Latin). 

Reference 1010.0241

To mark the special occasion, SINN has designed the watch in Germany’s national colours: black, red, and gold, with a high-gloss, gold-plated second hand. The colours black, red and gold, have always been a symbol of German reunification and are anchored in the constitution as the colours of the flag, go all the way back to the Wars of Liberation (Germany, 1813–1815). The black, red, and gold flag appeared in its present-day form at the Hambach Festival of 1832 for the first time. Reunification was celebrated with the raising of a black, red, and gold flag in front of the Reichstag building in Berlin.  

Reference 1010.0241

The case and crown are made of high-strength seawater-resistant German Submarine Steel and boasts outstanding non-magnetic properties. The diving watch is pressure resistant up to 1,000 m diving depth. It has been tested as per European diving equipment standards and certified by DNV GL. The DNV GL’s shared roots stretch back to 1864, when Det Norske Veritas (DNV) was founded as a membership organisation in Oslo and Germanischer Lloyd (GL), a new non-profit association based in Hamburg was formed out of a desire to achieve transparency to evaluate the quality of ships and deliver the results to stakeholders. The bezel has white minute markers with minute ratcheting. The crown at 4 o’clock to prevent pressure on the back of the hand. The front crystal is scratch resistant sapphire.

Reference 1010.0241
Reference 1010.0241

The watch has three variants, U1 DE with solid bracelet in stainless steel with Black Hard Coating, U1 DE with black silicone strap and U1 DE with red silicone strap. At 44mm the U1 DE is a reasonable size for a diver’s watch. The watch has date window at 3 o’ clock and has the watch name U1 DE in red. The dial has luminous hands, hour markers and luminous key mark on the bezel. U1 DE special edition has a non-display case back, this is mainly to obtain the 1,000 m pressure resistance. 

There are statements of historical significance, eternalised in history books and in public consciousness. ‘Now what belongs together will grow together’ is just such a statement, made by Willy Brandt when the Berlin Wall came down on 9 November 1989. Now a popular saying, this quote provided guidance to many people in the East and West, as the former chancellor had spoken from the heart, calling for everyone to work together to shape the process of reunification. Which isn’t as easy as it sounds. People often get stuck in their mindset in their own world.

Lothar Schmidt and Ronald Boldt didn’t have this problem. In fact, they welcomed the idea of ‘growing together’ and actually put it into practice – also because the ridiculous clichés of know-it-all Western Germans and whinging Eastern Germans never played a role. Looking back, the two of them talk about an exemplary partnership between East and West. There were plenty of setbacks after SUG was founded in 1999. The disastrous flood of 2002 resulted in a complete write-off for the company, which was then forced to start over from scratch. They also weathered the financial crisis of 2008 and the watchmaking crisis of 2016 together. Despite all these trials, they managed to raise SUG to a technical standard that now fulfils the highest demands in terms of technology and quality.

Strictly speaking, the partnership between Lothar Schmidt and Ronald Boldt began in 1998 at a motorway service area, where they got together for the first time to discuss the idea of collaboration. They had good chemistry from the start and there was such a high level of trust between the two that it didn’t take them long to decide: ‘We’ll do it!’ There were two factors that made it an easy decision: Ronald Boldt was eager to be self-employed and find a business partner for the new company he was planning to start. And Lothar Schmidt was looking for a new supplier of high-quality cases. The fact that both of them are technically minded further promoted the mutual understanding and trust. The local circumstances in Glashütte were also just right: there weren’t any companies that could produce high-quality cases for mechanical movements out of premium materials even in small batches.

What followed was nothing short of groundbreaking, as developing a company with a new technological focus from the ground up and without the support of a group or investors was a bold move. SUG is now housed in its own historical company building with cutting-edge workspaces on the ‘watch mile’ in Glashütte. And it’s a case manufacturing brand whose name stands for premium German engineering in the precision engineering sector. Continuity has also been ensured, as son Daniel Boldt has assumed a majority of the management responsibilities at SUG, which he has been a part of in a variety of positions since it was founded.

For Lothar Schmidt and Ronald Boldt, it was always what they had in common and what united them that allowed them to embrace the concept of growing together. This insight has always been a matter of course from the very beginning and has since become an important milestone in the histories of both companies. Ronald Boldt put it best during his speech for SUG’s 20th anniversary: ‘If ever there were an award presented for an extraordinary East-West partnership, our chances would be very good’.

SINN U1 DE Specification:

Case Diameter: 44mm
Dial: Matt Black
Case: German Submarine Steel, black
Functions:  Hour and minutes
Water Resistance: 100 ATM / 1000 meters

Australian Pricing :

U1 DE with solid bracelet – $4,320.00

U1 DE with black silicone strap – $4,210.00

Availability: Available now, Limited Edition of 300 units Worldwide.

For Store locations visit Sinn.de

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Five watches under $6000 AUD released in 2020 https://www.watchadvice.com.au/5166/five-watches-under-6000-aud-released-in-2020/ https://www.watchadvice.com.au/5166/five-watches-under-6000-aud-released-in-2020/#respond Tue, 02 Jun 2020 05:30:56 +0000 https://www.watchadvice.com.au/?p=5166 The first 6 months of 2020 have seen some immense releases in the watch industry. Omega kicked off the year with an Ed White re-edition and bringing the famed calibre 321 movement back into mainline series production. Not to be outdone, Grand Seiko showed the world just what it could do with a range of hand engraved limited editions, and Montblanc again showcased their Minerva powered monopusher chronograph in March. What 2020 has also brought to consumers, is a raft of more affordable luxury watches for those of us for whom Bulgari’s latest diamond encrusted tourbillon is a little too rich.

2020 has been a difficult year for everyone, but the watch industry has shown that even in times of tighter belts, impressive timepieces can still be had. Here are our top 5 under 6k for 2020 so far, in no particular order of course.

The Sinn U50 range

Sinn U50 Collection
Sinn U50SDR

For years the Sinn U1 has been a huge hit amongst enthusiasts despite its larger case size of 44mm. So when Sinn announced the release of the Sinn U50 range, essentially a scaled down version of the aforementioned U1, fans of the German manufacturer rejoiced. The Sinn U50 offers a whopping 500m water resistance in a more mainstream appealing 41mm case. Sinn again impresses with the use of the brands signature tegemented steel, offering a greater level of scratch resistance, ensuring that this is a watch built to take a beating.

The Sinn U50 range starts at $4,320.00 AUD for the standard model, $4,570.00 AUD for the beefed up U50 SDR.

The Baume Et Mercier Hampton

Baume Et Mercier Hampton automatic reference 10522

Baume Et Mercier breathed new life into its Hampton range this year, focusing on classic art deco inspired designs for its rectangular cased line. In keeping with its classical design brief, the new Hampton automatic reference 10522, shows just how sweet, simple can be. With its opaline and grained silver dial, flanked by black ruthenium numerals and hour markers, the Hampton automatic hits a sweet spot between Cartier tank and JLC Reverso.

Available for $3,700.00 AUD, the Baume Et Mercier is fit for all of our Hamptons lifestyle dreams.

The Longines Hydroconquest (Green)

The Longines Hydroconquest reference: L3-781-4-06-6
The Longines Hydroconquest reference: L3-781-4-06-6

Longines used 2020 to jump aboard the green diver trend, somewhat late as it may be, by introducing the Hydroconquest green.  Available in two case sizes, 41 and 43mm and either on a rubber strap or stainless steel bracelet, everything from the previous Hydroconquest model is still present. 300m water resistance, applied indices with generous lume and a 65-hour power reserve. Only now its green.  Whilst a change of colour doesn’t make a whole new watch, in this case the departure from traditional black and blue dive watches in favour of this military-esque olive green, does make the watch undeniably more desirable.

The new Longines Hydroconquest green (Reference L3-781-4-06-6) is available for purchase for $2,325.00 AUD.

The Seiko Prospex black SPB125J1

Seiko Prospex black SPB125J1
Seiko Prospex black SPB125J1

Perhaps the unofficial kings of the budget friendly dive watch category, Seiko launched the Prospex black limited edition collection in 2020. The model here features a distinctive hard outer black coating to the stainless steel case, accented with bold orange hands and indices, this watch not only looks the part, its 200m water resistance and screw down crown mean it plays it too.  Make no mistake, this is no petite desk diver, at 45mm wide and with a height of 13mm the Prospex black is a substantial watch on wrist.

Priced at $1400.00 AUD and limited to 7,000 pieces worldwide, the Prospex black is one special sumo. 

The Breitling Navitimer 35

Navitimer Automatic 35 with a silver dial and a burgundy alligator leather strap, reference A17395F41G1P1.
Navitimer Automatic 35 with a blue dial and a blue alligator leather strap, reference A17395161C1P1.
Navitimer Automatic 35 with a copper dial and a brown alligator leather strap, reference A17395201K1P1.

Breitling led the way this year in hosting their 2020 novelties online after the demise of Baselworld. The brand has found new life under the hand of CEO Georges Kern, reissuing heritage pieces, slimming down core line offerings, and here introducing a 35mm Navitimer to the collection. Whilst the brand markets the Navitimer 35 towards women, there’s no denying that this range sits beautifully on any wrist. Focusing on the three time only, non-diamond adorned variants, the Navitimer 35 is available in Silver, Blue or our personal pick of the bunch, Copper dials. 

All three variants of the Navitimer 35 are priced at $5,620.00 AUD

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2020 Sinn U50 Released https://www.watchadvice.com.au/4766/2020-sinn-u50-released/ https://www.watchadvice.com.au/4766/2020-sinn-u50-released/#respond Fri, 01 May 2020 06:57:34 +0000 https://www.watchadvice.com.au/?p=4766 April 30, 2020 saw an announcement many fans of German watchmaking had ben waiting for. Sinn, the German manufacturer announced the release of the Sinn model U50, a dive watch made of submarine steel. 

Sinn has worked hard to earn its reputation as a manufacturer of tool watches that can, as the greatest once said, take a licking and keep on ticking. The new line up of U50 dive watches feature Sinn’s signature Tegimented steel, a process which results in ultra-durable, scratch and corrosion resistant watches.

Sinn U50 Tegiment

What is immediately noticeable about the new collection is that it is essentially a sized down version of the previous U1 model lineup. A welcome and anticipated change for the German brand as the previous 44mm case size excluded a large portion of wearers. The new 41mm case size sees the striking design more readily accessible to the watch wearing masses.

Sinn-U50-SDR

There have been concessions of course, the U1 at 44mm is rated to a whopping 1000m water resistance whilst the U50 lineup only 500m. This will no doubt have an enormous impact on its desk diving and swimming pool abilities, after all this is likely all the watch will see out in the wild.

Keeping tradition for Sinn, the model line features the expected German utilitarian design, blocky indices and sturdy case and bracelets. The U50 line up is focused quite clearly on brutal legibility, this is a watch to be used and used hard.

Internally we find a Selita SW300-1 automatic movement, beating away at a standard 28,800bph and offering 38 hours power reserve beneath a solid case back. The movement is nothing special, but it is reliable and endlessly serviceable.

Sinn-U50-SDR Case Back

As far as strap options for the line, Sinn offers the U50, U50 S and U50 SDR with its signature H-link bracelet, which will be black coated in the U50 S model to match the case. There are also a raft of smooth molded rubber straps available in either Red, Black or White in keeping with the dial designs.

With the U50 line up offering its slimmed down design and more mainstream appealing case size, look for this range to be a big hit for the brand in 2020.

Australian Pricing:

Sinn U50 solid bracelet (ref 1050.010) – $4,320.00

Sinn U50 S solid bracelet (ref 1050.020) – $4,755.00

Sinn U50 SDR solid bracelet (ref 1050.050) – $4,570.00

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Sinn U1 Phantom Review https://www.watchadvice.com.au/4500/sinn-u1-phantom-review/ https://www.watchadvice.com.au/4500/sinn-u1-phantom-review/#respond Sat, 18 Apr 2020 08:30:12 +0000 https://www.watchadvice.com.au/?p=4500 The German watch manufacturer Sinn is a well-known brand for creating aviation watches. Sinn was founded in 1961 by a flight instructor and pilot, Helmut Sinn. The brand has quite an aviation history, including securing the rights and design plans from Breitling during the Quartz era, to their iconic Navitimer timepiece. With these plans, Sinn produced an inexpensive and a reliable equivalent to the Navitimer – the Sinn 903. 

What many people may not know is that Sinn has also got quite a reputable collection of diving watches, made from some of the highest tech materials. Sinn was also one of the first companies in the watchmaking industry to produce diving watches in compliance with European diving equipment standards, while also being the first to test and certify the watches for resistance to pressure and fogging. 

We have our hands on Sinn’s U1 Phantom. The Phantom edition is part of Sinn’s diving watch U1 collection. These are robust timepieces made to endure some of the most extreme conditions. The U1 collection is known as the “diving watch made of German submarine steel” and can be taken diving to a depth of 1000m. The U1 does come in several limited edition and special versions, with the U1 Phantom being one of them. 

The U1 Phantom is exclusive to Define Watches only, making it even more special . It features much of the same characteristics as the standard U1 model, with the variances coming in the form of materials and appearance changes. 

Much like the overall U1 collection, the Phantom has a very unique and distinctive look about it. The dial is kept very minimal with only the hour indexes, hour, minute and seconds hands along with small date window at the 3 o’clock position shown. The most notable feature about these watches is how the indexes and hands are portrayed. The bold rectangular markers all have a small pointer on the end (almost similar to a battery icon!) and are used to great effect to tell the time easily. 

On the U1 Phantom, the hour indexes along with the hour and minute hands have been given a white coating (Super-Luminova).  The second’s hand and portions of the hour and minute hand have been coated in black. The black and white come together nicely with a contrasting effect against the dial. 

The U1 Phantom features a blue electroplated dial which against the white markers and hands is very visually appealing. The bezel on the U1 Phantom has white markers for the 5-minute increments, which matches the indexes and hands on the dial. The bezel also includes minute increments in red, which certainly adds to make the watch more colourful.

The U1 Phantom comes packed with high-tech materials, such as what’s used to make the 44mm casing and the bezel for the timepiece. To start with, Sinn has once again used high-strength German Submarine steel for the Phantom. The whole U1 range comes equipped with submarine steel. Sinn has opted to use this particular steel alloy for their dive watches as it possesses the highest level of anti-magnetic properties as well as being corrosion resistant, hence their use on Submarines. Sinn has gone one step further and covered both the bezel and casing with a black hard coating which is done over their special TEGIMENT hardning process. 

What is a TEGIMENT process you ask? TEGIMENT is Sinn’s proprietary hardening technology which provides highly effective protection against scratches. The TEGIMENT method, however, is not just the process of applying a coating onto the steel material. Instead, the material undergoes a hardening process using Sinn’s special procedures which ultimately creates a protective layer over the base of the material. It’s noted that after Sinn’s TEGIMENT process, the strength of the case comes up to about 1200 Vickers. This is a few times harder than the standard 316L steel. All these processes and materials that Sinn have utilised come together to create a watch that is perfectly suited to diving and everyday wear. 

The U1 Phantom also has independent accreditation to certify the watch’s toughness and resistance. DNV GL (Norwegian Safety Accreditation Agency) has verified and certified that the U1 Phantom has a pressure resistance and diving depth to 1000 metres (100 bar). The temperature resistance and functionality are also in accordance with European diving device standards. 

The movement used in the U1 Phantom is the high-grade Swiss movement Sellita calibre SW200-1. The Sellita calibre SW200-1 is a self-winding mechanism which is known to be a reliable, robust and precise movement in the watchmaking industry. The movement allows for the crown to be placed at the 4 o’clock position, instead of the standard 3 o’clock placement. This offset crown may add to the comfortability of wearing the U1 Phantom. The Sellita SW200-1 movement has a frequency of 28, 800 bph, while also offering 38hrs of power reserve. The anti-magnetic and shock resistance of the movement is as per DIN 8309 and DIN 8308, respectively. 

Wearability:

The overall appearance of this piece sure is an attention grabber. The stunning blue electroplated dial acts as a nice break away from the black and white colours shown throughout the watch, making the timepiece also visible from some distance. The clean and uncluttered dial also helps to see Sinn’s unique hour indexes and hands easily. 

Even though the watch sits at 44mm, it sure doesn’t feel big. On a 6.5 inch wrist, the watch sits fairly comfortably. The tapering lugs help the watch to sit nicely, without it protruding out from the wrist. The U1 Phantom comes in black bracelet which is made to match the casing and bezel. It’s quite comfortable to wear without it feeling clunky. At 14.3mm thickness, the watch may look and feel big, however not enough to deter you from everyday wear. It is, after all, a divers watch which is known to be quite thick. If we had to be nit pick, one thing that could be improved would be the size of the date window. It could be slightly bigger to showcase the date. This is not a deal breaker though as this gives more space for that beautiful blue dial. 

Thanks to the very sturdy construction of this timepiece, the wearability of the U1 Phantom is unrestricted. The non-complex dial, when matched with a leather strap or similar variant, allows it to be worn as a dress piece. With the U1 Phantom’s toughness and scratch-resistance, it can be worn to sporting activities and events without having to worry about the timepiece being damaged in any way. And of course, if you are into diving or is a professional diver, then this watch is an ideal value-for-money candidate for those underwater explorations! 

Australian Retail Pricing : $4,680.00

Availability : Available now to special order

Define watches

Shop 5 / 2 Quamby Place, NOOSA, QLD, 4567

Phone : (07) 5447 4643

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Sinn 104 Everyday Perfection? https://www.watchadvice.com.au/4133/sinn-104-everyday-perfection/ https://www.watchadvice.com.au/4133/sinn-104-everyday-perfection/#respond Sat, 15 Feb 2020 14:13:36 +0000 https://www.watchadvice.com.au/?p=4133 Sinn. Unashamedly built for purpose, where function trumps form. The German brand is known for creating over-engineered tool watches that will last the wearer a lifetime, but perhaps not so necessary for everyday life, job depending of course. 

While the aviation aesthetic ties are strong and well documented, Sinn has expanded in recent years to entice a broader consumer with options that are more suited to civilian/everyday life. The Sinn104 StSa I W, being a collective hybrid of aviation and diver resulting from this design direction. 

CASE: 

The 104 could be considered mostly a modern interpretation of a pilots watch with a sprinkle of diver DNA. The highly polished, stainless steel case and lugs scream dressy attire, yet the angular, sharp lugs give a slightly more aggressive demeanour.  Small crown guards are provided to add some protection to the more than adequate signed crown, which at times can dig into the wrist with specific movements if not worn higher on the wrist. 

On the reverse, a sapphire display case back reveals the SW220-1 movement along with some minor decorations such as gold rotor and blued screws. The drawback here being the 38hr power reserve which at times can be a reach and winding of the movement is…not the smoothest. The tech inside includes; anti-shock, anti-magnetism and a hefty 200mWR which puts other “sports watch” to shame. 

DIAL: 

There is no doubt the 104 is built for one purpose…legibility. The beautiful white glossy dial tucked away behind a sapphire crystal that boasts AR on both sides, can only truly be appreciated in person. Matched with contrasting black baton minute indices and those gorgeous syringe style hands are the epitome of simple, readable dials. 

Simple italicised logo font (a nod to aviation styling) and a German/English coloured matched day/date wheel finish off the nicely balanced dial. 

The coin-edged, bi-directional captive bezel is a slightly more unusual affair using a minutes countdown layout, which, turns out to be very useful in everyday use. Small adjusting screws allow the user to adjust the tension to get the preferred “click” that is desired. It’s not the best rotating bezel I’ve used, but it does the job well with little play. 

Lume is nicely applied to all indices, and the lumed triangle on the bezel is a nice touch. Attention to detail that is expected from a German company.

WEARABILITY/STRAPS: 

Sinn offers multiple options for the 104, and it initially arrived on a chocolate brown, aviation-inspired leather with white stitching. While contrasting nicely with the dial and being relatively soft, the lack of taper, thickness and lack of enough holes meant it didn’t initially fit as hoped. 

After a quick strap change, it was a completely different equation, with the perfectly proportioned 41mm case and those angular lugs sitting snuggly on my 6.5″ wrist. At only 75g and 12mm thick, the Sinn104 really is a great all-rounder for everyday use. After a few months, an H-Link bracelet was purchased (something that should’ve been done initially – lesson learnt). While nicely executed, more micro-adjustments would be preferred over a diver extension or at least an option for half links available.  Sizing the bracelet was reasonably easy with the use of dual-sided hexagon screws, however, don’t loose the provided tool; otherwise, you will be stuck.  

FINAL THOUGHTS: 

The Sinn104 may not be a “perfect watch”, but it comes pretty darn close. Having owned this particular piece for over a year now, it has quickly become my go to everyday piece. One can not argue the attractiveness of that white dial (other options include black, blue, and a stunning green if white is not your flavour) and fantastic legibility. It looks incredible with any strap combination and works for almost every occasion. 

More importantly, wearability is just perfect. So good that when you look down, it’s a pleasant feast for the eyes every-time. On the second-hand market, you’d be pushed to find a better-valued piece with German engineering to back it up.

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2019’s best dive watches for just under $7000 https://www.watchadvice.com.au/3099/2019s-best-dive-watches-for-just-under-7000/ https://www.watchadvice.com.au/3099/2019s-best-dive-watches-for-just-under-7000/#respond Thu, 22 Aug 2019 07:18:40 +0000 https://www.watchadvice.com.au/?p=3099 There’s no doubt about it, we all love a good dive watch. It doesn’t matter whether you’re qualified to explore the oceans depths, or just like washing your hands a little more vigorously than most, there’s something oddly comforting about knowing the watch on your wrist is good for at least 100 metres under water. Luckily these days, we’re somewhat spoilt for choice. However, with great choice comes great responsibility, and it’s sometimes hard to narrow down the list when picking the right diver. So, we decided to help, choosing six of the best dive watches released this year with a
price tag of just under $7000.

Tudor Black Bay Bronze with slate grey dial ($5,100.00 AUD)

$5,100.00 AUD

Any list about dive watches is sure to feature at least one Tudor, and this list is no different. First up we have the latest Black Bay Bronze. If you’re already familiar with Tudor’s bronze diver, you’ll recognise the same 43mm bronze case as seen on previous models, and the same Manufacture Calibre MT5601 – boasting a more-than-ample 70-hour power reserve. What has changed is that the once khaki dial, then blue for Bucherer, then once-off green for Only Watch is now available in slate grey – with matching aluminium bezel. Looking closely at the brand-new dial you’ll notice that it’s been given a smoky treatment, lighter in colour at its centre and slowly darkening towards its edge. Proving that sometimes even the smallest difference can have the largest effect. One thing’s for sure, where there’s smoke there’s fire.

Bremont Argonaut ($4,750.00 AUD)

$4,750.00 AUD

Bremont are incredibly proud, and rightfully so, of the special-order watches it produces for the men and women of the various branches of the world’s militaries. And this year the British-brand was honoured by an official partnership with the British Ministry of Defence, making it the only luxury watch producer licensed to use the signs, symbols, and Heraldic Badges of all three branches of the British Armed Forces. To celebrate this momentous occasion, Bremont released a trio of watches, creating one for the British Army, one for the Royal Air Force, and one for the Royal Navy. Rated to 300 metres, the Argonaut’s case is made from specially hardened stainless-steel, protecting an automatic chronometer grade movement inside, and measuring 42mm across. Designed with a style that calls upon the super-compressor dive watches of days gone by, the crown at 4 o’clock operates the internal rotating bezel, while a pop of orange makes spotting the minute hand a cinch.

Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Diver Black Matte ($6,300.00 AUD)

$6,300.00 AUD

Despite being better known for its aviation-styled designs, every five years or so Bell & Ross delve deep into the world of dive watches – starting with the Hydromax in 1997, then the Diver 300 Chronograph in 2002, and finally the BR02 in 2007. For a decade however, all things Bell & Ross diver remained silent, at least that was until a couple of years ago, when in 2017, the Swiss-made brand released its first ever square case dive watch. Beginning a collection that has continued to grow with each new year since. The latest model to join the fleet is the BR 03-92 Diver Black Matte. As its name would suggest its case and bezel are all matt black, as is its dial, however, there is something far more special once we get below the surface. The 300-metre rated 42mm square case is constructed from highly scratch-resistant ceramic. Culminating in a lightweight, legible, and incredibly functional dive watch with a case construction that’s hard to top at this price.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300 ($7,100.00 AUD)

$7,100.00 AUD

Last year Omega completely revamped the Seamaster Diver 300 collection, honouring 25 years since the launch of the legend that would come to be known as THE “Bond watch”, after Pierce Brosnan wore the original blue dialled diver on his wrist in GoldenEye. A clear standout hit for 2018, the renewed models saw every aspect of their designs updated. With cases that were upsized slightly to 42mm, and dials that were constructed from ceramic and laser engraved with the return of iconic wave pattern. The biggest update was seen however when you flipped the watch over. Not only were these the first versions to feature a display case back, but inside was a brand-new METAS certified Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Calibre 8800. This year the collection continues to grow, and Omega have now paired a fresh white dial with a perfectly contrasting black ceramic bezel. Adding a touch more everyday wearability to a watch that could already do it all.

Sinn 206 ARKTIS II ($5,700.00 AUD)

$5,700.00 AUD

Fact: Sinn make tough watches. Some of the toughest on the planet, and the Sinn 206 ARKTIS II is about as tough as they come. Re-released to commemorate 20 years since the German brand first introduced the world to the Sinn 203 ARKTIS – the very first diver’s chronograph which guaranteed perfect function in temperatures ranging from -45°C to 80°C – Sinn’s latest recreation pays a perfect tribute. Using the very same Temperature Resistance Technology as well as Sinn’s own Ar-Dehumidifying Technology, which works to keep the watch free of fog and moisture. Aesthetically, the two are nearly identical, with both using the same icy blue sunburst dial, however this new version features a larger 43mm case. With Sinn also introducing its D3-System, and directly integrating the crown and pushers into the case, which not only continues the ARKTIS’s solid 300 metre water resistance but also protects the crown and pushers against knocks and leaks. Packed full of Sinn technologies that even the least adventurous of us can appreciate. If you do happen to ever find yourself in an environment that manages to push this one to its limits, I’m certain you’ll have far bigger problems than knowing the time, regardless it’s still nice to know you would.

Oris Diver’s Sixty-Five Chronograph in steel ($5,700.00 AUD)

$5,700.00 AUD

It’s safe to say that the Oris Diver’s Sixty-Five collection has been one of the most successful collections for the independent Swiss brand. What started in 2015 as a single recreation of Oris’ first dive watch – from 1965 as you may have guessed – quickly turned itself into an all-inclusive collection, with something for every wrist. Not at all by accident either, with Oris releasing hit after hit, year after year. The latest addition to catch our eye (and our hearts) takes the very best of the collection and combines it into a single watch – the Oris Diver’s Sixty-Five Chronograph in steel with bronze bezel. We now have a regular production two-register chronograph, in a 43mm case that will age nicely with its owner thanks to that bronze bezel, a sufficient 100 metres of water resistance, and an inky black dial that curves under a wonderfully domed sapphire crystal. What’s more to love? The vintage inspired legacy continues at Oris.

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