Company
Sinn Spezialuhren: A German Tool Watchmaker
Founded in 1961 in Frankfurt by Helmut Sinn, a former WWII pilot and flight instructor, Sinn Spezialuhren began by producing navigation clocks and pilot chronographs. The brand quickly earned a reputation for robust, high-precision tool watches aimed at professionals, particularly in aviation.
History & Evolution
In 1994, the company was acquired by engineer Lothar Schmidt, formerly of IWC. Under his leadership, Sinn expanded significantly—both in terms of product range and technological innovation. Schmidt introduced in-house technologies, certifications (such as TESTAF for aviation suitability), and advanced materials like submarine steel and tegimented surfaces for enhanced durability.
Key Technologies
- Tegiment technology: Surface hardening to resist scratches.
- Ar-Dehumidifying technology: Prevents fogging and moisture.
- HYDRO: Oil-filled dive watches for perfect legibility underwater.
- Submarine steel cases: Highly corrosion-resistant and pressure-resistant.
Market Position
Sinn sits in the mid-range segment of the European watch market. While not positioned as a luxury brand, it is highly respected among professionals, enthusiasts, and collectors for its engineering integrity and practical design.
Price points range from under €1,000 for quartz pilot watches to over €5,000 for professional-grade mechanical chronographs. Despite this, Sinn avoids ostentation, focusing instead on function and reliability.
Perception in Europe
Sinn is seen as a true tool watchmaker—German in every sense: engineered, precise, and purpose-driven. It appeals especially to those who value utility and technological substance over luxury branding. While it remains a niche player due to its limited retail presence and understated marketing, it has a strong following across Europe, particularly in Germany, France, and the Nordic countries.
Sinn represents a unique value proposition in the European watch landscape: authentic, purpose-built watches that reflect German engineering excellence without the premium branding markup.
Models
556
556 A
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/556-a.html
Sinn 556 B (Blau)
1,500 EUR
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/modellreihen/modellreihe-556/556-i-b.html
556 I - Die sportlich-elegante Uhr
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/556-i.html
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/556-i-rs.html
836
836 - Die instrumentelle Uhr mit Magnetfeldschutz
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/836.html
856
856 S UTC - Die magnetfeldgeschützte Fliegeruhr mit 2. Zeitzone
2,660 EUR
Bought at the manufacture in Germany directly, in 2009, at 1,375 EUR. Absolutely love it.
- Case diameter: 40 mm
- Case thickness: 11 mm
- Band lug width: 20 mm
- Weight without strap: 70 gramme
https://www.sinn.de/en/watches/856-s-utc.html
936
936
3,350 EUR
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/936.html
1739
1739 Ag B
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/1739-ag-b.html
6033
6033 B
2,490 EUR
More balanced, but only 34mm.
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/alle-uhren/6033-b.html
6060 B - The Frankfurt World Time Watch
https://www.sinn.de/en/watches/6060-b.html
6068 B
2,550 EUR
- Polished stainless steel
- 38.5 mm diameter
- 12 mm thickness
- 20 mm lug width
- 57 g without strap
- Automatic Sellita SW300-1 with 25 jewels, 28,800 vph, and anti-magnetic properties per DIN 8309.
- Displays hours, minutes, seconds, date, and a second time zone on a 12-hour basis.
- Up to 10 bar (100 meters); also resistant to low pressure.
- Features a transparent case back showcasing a decorated movement with Geneva stripes, blued screws, and a rotor engraved with bull and bear motifs.
Weirdly enough the 6060 B, which ranks lower number-wise, is more expensive at 2,830 EUR and has 3 timezones - which in my opinion clutters the dial too much and is not very useful outside of needing to follow the stock market in 3 different timezones. The 6068 B is a more elegant watch with a more classic look, and the second timezone is displayed in a more subtle way - and enough for my needs.
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/6068-b.html
6096
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/6096.html
U1 - Die Taucheruhr aus deutschem U-Boot-Stahl
2,670 EUR
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/u1.html
U2
https://www.sinn.de/uhren/u2-s-ezm-5.html
U50
