Jeep99dad
3T WIS
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Good day fellow WIS,
Another Grail landed this week … I have always admired the Sinn U1 on the daily wrist-check threads and other posts, always knew I wanted to have one but I could never push myself over the edge and pull the trigger for some reason!!? This watch is very photogenic I guess as I’ve never seen a bad U1 pic! But last week after selling one of my watches, this one came up on a sales forum, gently used, unsized Sinn Rubber w/ unworn Sinn Clasp and at the right price… I did not even think, I think I sneezed and BAM … I press the button and it was all she wrote Impulse buy some call it! It was on my top 5 Grail list along with such famous watches as the Omega Great White & Breitling SO/Steelfish…
First of all I REALLY like the dark grayish Satin finish of the case (my favorite case SS finish) and bezel, the fact it is made of submarine steel and tegimented bezel also fascinated me and thought it was unique. The watch design/looks is also fairly different from what other dive watch makers have done and it is not (that I know of but I am not an expert WIS) pretending to be something else, a copy or homage to some other famous timepiece, which I also appreciate. It is its own watch with its own personality from my limited experience.
The dial, hands and case design is different and comes together real nicely IMHO. The smaller bezel opens up the wide clean dial and the use of white/red colors is not overdone thanks to the clean overall design. The crystal is amazing, so clean and clear, you can clearly see the dial & hands details without distortion or anything from all angles. It is easy to photograph without worrying too much about reflections. Most of the time it even looks like there is no crystal and you could just reach in to touch the hands ( or maybe it was just the Jack & Gingers I had last night J ).
I can’t comment on the bracelet as mine came with the rubber strap but the case and bezel finish are top notch! The watch also feels very solid and like it means business! I would not hesitate to take it to the sea, pool, hiking, mountain biking, camping or to whatever activity… I feel like I can rely on it which is important to me especially in this price range. I am looking forward to sizing and installing the Sinn rubber. It is of high quality for sure and the clasp is very well made too, just like the case and same Satin finish of course.
Finally, the crown operates like it should, it turns smoothly but with enough resistance, the three positions are clearly distinct, no hesitation in pulling to date position or time set. The Bezel also turns with authority, just enough meaningful resistance, and is aligned to the markers. I do feel a little slack it seems but nothing concerning. I also love the caseback, its rounded & smooth edges toward the center. I feel like I like this watch for some of the same reasons I love my other German diver, the Eintausend with a similarly finished case, a rounded case back, tough trustworthy/reliable/tough feeling and the ‘just-right’ use of red and white vs. the black dial. Both are amazing cases IMO. These are first impressions as I just received the watch yesterday and need to wear it in various settings and with different straps too to be able to elaborate of course.
For those interested and who don’t already know, this watch is available for sale from Watchbuys in the US at $1570 on rubber and $1750 in bracelet. I’ll also post the below info for your review in case it helps.
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Specs & interesting info from Watchbuys:
SKU: SI-120
Average Watch Ratings: 100% (20 reviews)
Brand: Sinn
Automatic winding mechanical diver's watch - more details
• Case diameter (mm): 44.0 (22mm Lugs-Brice)
• Case thickness (mm): 14.3
• Case metal: Submarine steel
• Case back: Solid
• Tegimented: Bezel only
• Winding: Automatic
• Manufacturer's limited warranty: 2 years
• Dial color: Black
The technology and design elements used to create the Sinn U1 go far beyond standards used at most watch companies.
The U1 case is made from the same steel that is also used in the construction of the outer hull of submarines. The steel was procured by Sinn from a steel supplier to Emden GmbH, one of Germany’s North Sea shipbuilding yards who construct submarines from the very same steel. This special steel is also amagnetic which means that is does not have magnetic properties and cannot itself become magnetized. The watch movement itself is protected from magnetic fields up to 4,800 A/m.
Because of the special steel used from the submarine steel manufacturer, the case resists the effects of exposure to salt water and salt water environments.
The uni-directional ratchet operated rotating bezel is also milled from this submarine steel and is Tegimented. The indices are machined directly into the bezel without the use of bezel inserts, which can corrode or come loose at deep depths. The international testing lab of Germanischen Lloyd has tested the U1, and determined that the watch can be certified as water resistant to 1,000 meters. This same firm tests submarines for their ability to withstand the effects of underwater use.
Matte black dial with date at 3, Super Luminova on hands and markers, and striking red seconds hand complete the design. Other features include sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, and silicone rubber strap with double push deployant buckle and fliplock safety clasp.
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On to pics, I took those Q&D’s this morning quickly. Watch is on the Maratac strap, the best $20 strap on the market IMHO J but will post pics over the next few days on the Sinn rubber, a Timefactors Retro rubber (?) and a Bali Ha’i leather too. I am going to get a black Oiled leather strap with red & white stitching made for this puppy!
Thank you all for reading my review, have a great day!
Brice
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SCORE BRICE, U R ON A ROLL MY MAN, CONGRATS ON THE UBER HOT TIMEPIECE..I LOVE THE MADE IN GERMANY ON THE DIALdrool.gif, THE GRAY SILKYNESS LOOK, I WILL AGREE NEVER HAVE SEEN A BAD SHOT OF THE U1, AGAIN,CONGRATS ON YOUR SINN
That's a beauty Brice!
