On the lookout for a pilot watch that packs some serious technical features and sits comfortably under the £2,000 mark? Well do we have a Sinnsational watch for you…
The Sinn 104 St Sa A modernises the pilot watch design with great proportions and sharp looks that come without sacrificing functionality. Overall, this model is a solid option for anyone seeking a dependable, modern watch suitable for casual wear.
Famous for their no-fuss aesthetic and at times over-engineered designs — which range from the technically advanced 903 St B E Chronograph to the hardcore diver watches made from submarine steel like the UX EZM 2B — Sinn is easily one of the most formidable tool watch manufacturers out there.
However, despite the tool-watch appeal the German company also hosts a range of dressier pieces, one of them being the Sinn 104 - a fully capable pilot’s watch that is equally at home in the office as it is in a cockpit.
The Case
The case on the Sinn 104 is 41mm, yet wears closer to 39-40mm. This is due to the way the lugs slope, which really makes it hug the wrist. The lugs sharply angle down towards the wrist with polished bevelled edges that definitely aid in this watch’s versatility as a tool/dress watch. Not to mention its thin 11.5mm profile keeps the watch sitting comfortably for all-day wear, especially when worn under long-sleeves.
The crown at the 3 o’clock position is well-proportioned and is protected by a subtle crown guard. The crown’s ridges complement the polished bezel and feel comfortable with enough grip when winding, without any crown wobble.
The stainless steel case is nicely polished, and despite not being made from the tough submarine steel of the UX, the case does offer a water-resistance rating of 20ATM (200 meters) when the crown is screwed down.
The Dial
A no-fuss design that highlights only the most important features is what the Sinn 104 is all about. Being a pilot watch, easy legibility at a quick glance is paramount, and this dial pulls it off perfectly. Text is used sparingly with only ‘Sinn’ and ‘Automatik’ taking up minimal dial real estate, with the ‘made in Germany’ blending in seamlessly around the 6 o’clock hour marker.
The matte black dial reduces any reflections in harsh lighting and contrasts excellently against the white-painted Arabic numerals and sleek syringe hands. The day and date are neatly framed at 3 o’clock with enough spacing to be read with ease, and I appreciate that the date wheel has been colour-matched to the dial. The dial is excellently lumed, with hour markers, hands and the 12 o’clock bezel marker appearing bright in low-light conditions.
The Bezel
At first glance, the Sinn 104 appears to have a dive bezel. However, when operating you notice that the bezel is bidirectional. The five-minute increment scale is reversed, with “55” being at one o’clock and “5” being at eleven o’clock, perfectly suited as a countdown timer compared to the ‘elapsed time’ function reserved for dive watches.
Rotating the bezel’s full 60 clicks feels smooth to operate while secure in the fact you won’t easily knock it and mess up your countdown - this is the kind of quality engineering you’d expect from a German manufacturer like Sinn. The bezel uses ball bearings under the bezel, instead of the spring you may find in your Seiko SKX.
The Movement
Visible through the sapphire caseback is the Sellita SW 220-1 movement with a 38-hour power reserve. This automatic movement is shock resistant and has anti-magnetic properties, making it a serious contender for your next daily beater, while adding a bit of flourish to your wrist with its gold-plated rotor.
Final Thoughts
When it comes to value for money the Sinn 104 is Sinnply the best. Sinn is known to make watches that last, so you really can’t go wrong with any of their models, but the 104 really knocks it out of the park with its perfect proportions, not to forget its incredible versatility. The 104 has got dive watch, pilot watch and some casual dress watch DNA, making it an excellent choice for your next GADA (Go Anywhere Do Anything) watch.
