Watch Evaluation: Sinn U1 DS Restricted Version

For those who’re available in the market for a tough-as-nails dive watch, it received’t take lengthy earlier than you bump into the venerable Sinn U1. Constructed from hardened submarine metal, rated to 1000m of water resistance, and unfailingly legible, the Sinn U1 has definitely earned rarified standing. That stated, the basic U1 is a giant, daring watch, and the cruel black and purple German aesthetics aren’t for everybody. Fortunately, Sinn’s properly conscious that there are many individuals in search of the Sinn U1’s toughness and legibility, albeit with a barely much less extreme look. And that’s precisely what you get with Sinn’s limited-edition U1 DS.

The Sinn U1 DS is restricted to 500 items worldwide, and I used to be fortunate sufficient to borrow one from our associates over at J. Vair Anderson — a certified Sinn supplier simply over the Rockies from me in Calgary, AB. On condition that the whole piece is surface-hardened by way of Sinn’s tegiment course of, they weren’t terribly involved about me inflicting an excessive amount of injury over a couple of weeks of wear and tear.

For these of you unfamiliar with the German device watch stalwart, Sinn was based in 1961 by German aviator and flight teacher, Helmut Sinn. His objective was to fabricate clocks and instrumentation for aviation, together with pilot chronographs. Over the following many years, Sinn gained a sterling fame for creating purpose-built watches for army {and professional} purposes — sufficient in order that the Sinn 140 S (a pilot chronograph) accompanied Dr. Reinhard Furrer through the D-1 Spacelab mission in 1985, the primary of many Sinn watches that may head to area. In 1994, the model was acquired by the present proprietor, Lothar Schmidt. As a licensed engineer, Schmidt centered the model’s power and sources on progressive know-how to make Sinn watches a number of the most over-engineered, tech-laden watches within the business. From magnetic-field safety to Ar-dehumidifying know-how to excessive temperature resistance, many Sinn watches are purpose-built for particular purposes (e.g., the Sinn UX S created for Germany’s commando frogman drive, KSM). By creating watches for essentially the most excessive use circumstances, Sinn has developed a set of applied sciences and manufacturing know-how that it is ready to then apply throughout the vary.

Whereas the Sinn U1 DS doesn’t get all the flowery tech of a number of the pricier choices within the mission timer (EZM) collection, you continue to get what I’d argue is essentially the most sensible for many purposes: a tegimented metal case, bezel, and bracelet. Sinn begins with HY-80 (submarine metal), a metal alloy much like 316L, however with much less nickel and carbon. This materials is already more durable than 316L (~220 HV for 316L in comparison with ~300 HV for Sinn’s HY-80), however the surface-hardening course of takes it as much as a formidable ~1500 HV. In sensible phrases, what this implies is that it’s very troublesome to scratch the case and bracelet, and it ought to look close-to-new for years. For those who take into account wabi-sabi a synonym for injury, you’ll definitely admire having a tegimented case and bracelet. The opposite little bit of tech that Sinn sneaks in is a captive diver’s bezel. Check out the sting of the bezel, and also you’ll see three screws that maintain the bezel captive (therefore, the identify). Only a little bit of added safety understanding that the bezel received’t be inadvertently dislodged. Talking of the bezel, every of the clicks is stable and safe, feeling extra like a bit of purpose-built gear than precision-machined jewellery. Except for the tech, Sinn provides a couple of sensible particulars that make a giant distinction within the carrying expertise — drilled lugs for fast and simple strap modifications and a crown at 4 o’clock for carrying consolation.

With a 6.75” wrist, I sometimes attempt to keep beneath 42mm with my watches, however the quick 47mm lug-to-lug measurement on the 44mm diameter (15mm peak) case permits the U1 DS to put on massive, however comfortably. Positive, it seems to be all of its 44mm, however it doesn’t really feel ungainly on my wrist. Simply hefty. All this submarine metal in a 44mm case coupled with a 22mm bracelet does come at a little bit of a value when it comes to weight. For those who like heft, you get it in spades. If, then again, you’re used to lighter watches (like my featherweight titanium Sinn T2B), it takes some getting used to. Personally, I discover the burden a bit a lot for all-day put on, and if this was my private watch, I’d swap out the bracelet for one thing like a grey NATO or Sinn’s incredible silicone strap with a tegimented buckle.

Partly because of the submarine metal and partly because of the tegimenting course of, the bead-blasted case of the Sinn U1 DS has a darker hue than a typical 316L metal that’s really fairly much like titanium. That darkish hue is an ideal match for the über-functional U1, particularly with the monochrome colorway of the restricted version DS. The basic U1 has a black dial with white fingers/markers and robust purple highlights all through. Personally, I like the aesthetic of the so-called Lego fingers and markers, however I’ve by no means been a fan of the purple accents. In what looks as if a contradiction, by eradicating the purple highlights and including white to the bezel numerals, Sinn manages to make the U1 DS seem hotter and fewer extreme. Odd, I do know, however it actually does really feel that means. Sinn hasn’t sacrificed any of the sensible legibility of the U1 with this restricted version except for the black minutes hand, which clearly doesn’t pop just like the purple on the basic U1. Let’s lastly get to the star of the present: the dial. Sinn describes the dial on the U1 DS as having “ornamental grinding.” It’s a textured, distressed grey that appears proper at house on this dial, particularly when coupled with the black and white accents. I do not know what DS stands for, however in my head I stored considering “distressed metal.” I’m most likely improper there — it virtually definitely stands for a 25-letter German phrase — however it’s a becoming description.

Carrying the watch, it’s arduous to not be distracted by the dial. The colour and texture shifts with the sunshine, transferring from a darkish gunmetal to pale grey, with a texture that may look virtually like sharkskin in the best mild, or extra like sanding scratches in different mild. Both means, the hue is hotter than anticipated with occasional hints of earthy brown tones typically (however don’t get me improper, that is completely a grey dial). Textured dials appear to be on the rise this yr, however the dial on the U1 DS stands out in its execution. As well as, every dial is exclusive because of the ornamental grinding course of used to create the feel.

The bracelet is 22mm with a slight taper all the way down to 20mm on the clasp, which reinforces the visible (and bodily) heft of the watch. In relation to Sinn’s bracelets, I’m of two minds. I like the gentle strains of the H-link development and all the time discover Sinn bracelets snug. The hyperlinks are secured by two hex screws (two wrenches are included to resize the hyperlinks), making sizing with out scratching the edges of the bracelet or marring the screw head a breeze. So, development and luxury are nice, however, as all the time, Sinn bracelets are let down by their clasps. Made out of easy stamped metallic with a diver’s extension, micro-adjust holes, and fold-over security claps, it’s a superbly practical mechanism that works as supposed. At this value level, nonetheless, I need to see a milled clasp with on-the-fly adjustment. That is very true since Sinn can completely make a killer clasp — simply take a look at the bombproof clasps on its silicone straps.

The Sinn U1 DS is powered by a Sellita SW 200-1 automated motion. The Swiss Made automated motion was a pure alternative. It’s sturdy, with a 38-hour energy reserve, hacking, date perform, and beats at 28.8kbph — it’s not flashy, however sensible and dependable. Identical to the Sinn U1 DS.

In relation to alternate options, there’s no scarcity of powerful, dependable device watches available on the market. That stated, there’s actually just one Sinn U1, and there’s a purpose it’s so adored. Rely me amongst its many followers. Fortunately, Sinn realizes that the black and purple coloration scheme isn’t for everybody and has put out a variety of restricted version colorways over time. Personally, I discover this launch to be one of the crucial interesting when it comes to aesthetics and execution. The dial is exclusive and attention-grabbing, and the white accents give the watch a definite and fewer extreme look. With my smaller wrist, I’d like to see this launch within the U50’s 41mm case, however regardless of the U1’s massive measurement, the size will nonetheless work for a variety of wrists. The Sinn U1 DS is on the market now for $2,850 USD. For extra info on the Sinn U1 DS, you’ll want to go to the model’s web site.

Essential Knowledge
>Model: Sinn
>Mannequin: U1 DS
>Worth: $2,850 on bracelet
>Dimension: 44mm-wide, 15mm-thick, 47mm lug-to-lug, 22mm lug-width.
>When reviewer would personally put on it: Outdoor, on the seashore, or anytime I’m in search of a rugged watch that can stand as much as greater than I can.
>Good friend we’d suggest it to first: Outdoorsy kind that’s a fan of over-engineered watches.
>Greatest attribute of watch: Dial and complementary white accents.
>Worst attribute of watch: It’s a hefty watch on the wrist, and Sinn wants to enhance its bracelet clasps.