Brand History
Sinn was originally founded back in 1961 under the name “Helmut Sinn Spezialuhren” in Frankfurt am Main with a focus on manufacturing navigation clocks and pilot chronographs. An apt venture for Helmut Sinn, the namesake and founder of the company, who previously worked as a World War II pilot and instructor for blind flight. Helmut started out by selling his watches to colleagues and peers but by 1985 the company had grown substantially and he, alongside his now 40 employees, relocated to a new headquarters.
Sinn 356 PILOT Classic Anniversary. Credit: Sinn.
Fast forward another ten years and Sinn was acquired by certified engineer Lothar Schmidt, who renamed the company “Sinn Spezialuhren GmbH”. Having previously worked as an engineer, Lothar brought ideas with him for various technologies that he had been unable to implement elsewhere. A major strategic reorganisation began with Lothar intending to take the company into the future and soon after the take-over, Sinn released their first new model, the 244 Titan.
Raising Sinn to a new technical level that has had a lasting impact on the brand to this day, the first model series under Lothar’s leadership set the tone for what would later come to be recognised as Sinn’s technically orientated DNA. The 244 Ti and 244 Ti F models were crafted from titanium and incorporated both perfect readability, magnetic field protection, high shock resistance and a freely oscillating suspended movement.
Sinn 104 St Sa. Credit: WatchGecko.
Technical Highlights and Milestones
1961
Helmut Sinn Spezialuhren is founded in Frankfurt am Main.
1985
Helmut and his 40 employees move to a new headquarters. The 140 S goes to outer space.
1994
Lothar Schmidt acquires the company, renames it Sinn Spezialuhren GmbH and releases the 244 Titan models.
1995
Sinn release their first gold watch complete. Ar-Dehumidifying Technology is introduced.
1996
HYDRO Technology is introduced for the first time, in the 403 HYDRO.
1997
The first mission timers are released (EZM1 and EZM2), paving the way for a plethora of mission timers to follow over the years.
1998
Temperature Resistance Technology is introduced, allowing watches to remain functional between temperatres of -45 °C and +80 °C.
2003
TEGIMENT Technology is used for the first time in the 756 model.
2005
For the first time, Sinn uses German Submarine Steel as the case material for a diving watch.
2006
The SZ04 hand-wound movement is developed, based on the Unitas 6498 pocket watch calibre.
2011
Sinn celebrate their 50th birthday with a limited-edition anniversary chronograph. The SZ01 completes development.
2014
Robert Alan Eustace who parachuted from the stratosphere at a height of 41,419 metres wearing the 857 UTC TESTAF. The watch was integrated into the sleeve of his special suit, which is still on display in the Washington D.C. Space Museum.
2017
New company headquarters in Frankfurt am Main.
2018
Company founder Helmut Sinn sadly passes away at the age of 101.
2021
WatchGecko become an official retailer of Sinn watches.
2024
Lothar Schmidt celebrates his 30th anniversary as head of the company.
Current Philosophy
Sinn 556. Credit: WatchGecko.
Today, we find Sinn celebrating Lothar Schmidt’s 30th anniversary as head of the company. In those thirty years, Sinn have gone on to develop an extensive list of new technologies. From their HYDRO Technology, TEGIMENT Hardening and Ar-Dehumidifying to Temperature Resistance Technology, Sinn have amassed an extensive glossary of impressive innovations.
With form always following function, the German watchmakers have kept innovative technological development at the forefront of their principles which has earned them the respect of customers and fellow watchmakers alike.
All Sinn Articles and Videos:
- Sinn 104 - A Dilemma of Elegance: Black or White?
- Sinn 356 Pilot Sa Chronograph Collection Review
- Meet the Sinn Model 910 Eintracht 125th Anniversary Chronograph
- Sinn 556 Review
- SINN 356 PILOT Klassik Anniversary
- Sinn 105 St Sa UTC W wins the iF Design Award 2023
- Revisiting the Sinn 140 St - The Ultimate Space Chronograph
- Cardinal Sinn! Exploring the Sinn 104 in detail - Part 2
- Cardinal Sinn! Exploring the Sinn 104 in detail - Part 1
- It’s a Sinn - Introducing the new T50
- Reviewing the Sinn 104 St Sa A
- Why The Sinn 903 Isn’t Just A Navitimer Homage
- Sinn 356 Pilot - The Frankfurt Flieger Returns To Its Rightful Home
- Introducing the Sinn Watches Collection
- Introducing The New Sinn Watches For 2021
- Watch Straps For The Sinn U50
- Introducing The New Sinn Watches for Autumn 2020
- A Week Away With The Sinn U50 SDR
- The Sinn EZM1 Watch - Everything You Need To Know
- Sinn Watches Latest Releases for 2020
- The Latest Sinn Watches Baselworld 2019 - A Limited Edition Rose Gold Model?
- Hands On With The Sinn 104 Green Dial Limited Edition - Baselworld 2019
- MunichTime 2018: The Latest Sinn Watches
