Sinn's 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
Sinn Throughout the Years
1961: Founded
Helmut Sinn Spezialuhren is founded in Frankfurt am Main.
1985: First Automatic Watch in Space
The SINN chronograph Model 140 S becomes the first automatic watch in space. Physicist and astronaut Professor Dr. Reinhard Furrer proves for the first time during the D1 mission with model 140 S that SINN automatic watches also work in weightless environments.
SINN chronograph Model 140 S - Credit WatchGecko
1994: Company Renamed
Lothar Schmidt acquires the company, renames it Sinn Spezialuhren GmbH and releases the 244 Titan models.
1997: First Mission Timers are Released
The first mission timers are released (EZM1 and EZM2). The EZM is designed to reduce the display to an absolute minimum to ensure optimum readability and perfect time measurement for professionals.
1998: Model 303 is tested at the Yukon Quest
Equipped with Ar‑Dehumidifying Technology and Temperature Resistance Technology, SINN model 303 KRISTALL is put to the test at the Yukon Quest.
1999: SUG (Sächsische Uhrentechnologie GmbH Glashütte) is founded in Glashütte
SUG (Sächsische Uhrentechnologie GmbH Glashütte) is founded in Glashütte.
The launch of a new series - the Frankfurter Financial District Watch- marks a milestone for Sinn Spezialuhren and the first time the words “Frankfurt am Main” appear on the face of a SINN watch.
2006: SZ04 hand-wound movement is developed
The SZ04 hand-wound movement is developed, based on the Unitas 6498 pocket watch calibre.
2011: Sinn's 50th birthday
Sinn celebrate their 50th birthday with a limited-edition anniversary chronograph. The SZ01 completes development.
2014: Robert Alan Eustace parachutes with a Sinn
Robert Alan Eustace parachutes from the stratosphere wearing the 857 UTC TSTAF on the sleeve of his special suit.
2017: New Company Headquarters
Where do we even start with 2017? Sinn released 17 individual models this year as well as opening their new company headquarters in Frankfurt Sossenheim on 1st September.
A few of our favourite novelties from the year are covered with in-depth reviews below:
You can also purchase some of the models from our store:
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2018: 104 Series gets Extended
The 104 series is extended with the 104 St Sa I A. This model is a classic pilot watch with an anthracite electroplated dial. We were also treated with the 836, 936 and 910 SRS models.
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The biggest release of the year had to be the 1800 Damaszener, a 100-piece limited edition watch made of Damascus steel! An in-depth review of the novelties can be found here.
Unfortunately, 2018 also marked the death of company founder Helmut Sinn who sadly passed away at the age of 101.
2019: New 104 Model
In 2019 WatchGecko visited good old Baselworld and got hands-on time with the latest novelties. The highlight of the year was the Sinn 104 Green Dial Limited Edition and you can read our full review here or watch below.
2020: Numerous Releases for Sinn
2020 saw two big releases from Sinn, the first batch was launched in the Spring and contained the U50 Series (U50, U50 SDR, U50 S), the 1739 Series (1739 St I 4N, 1739 St I S, 1739 Heimat) and two new 556 models (556 A RS and 556 I RS).
Then in Autumn we got treated with the New 105 Series (105 St Sa, 105 St Sa W, St Sa UTC, St Sa UTC W), the 103 Sa G Pilots Limited Edition and the R500 racing watch.
To find out more about the Spring or Autumn 2020 releases use the links below:
- Sinn's 2020 Spring Releases
- Sinn's 2020 Autumn Releases
- In-Depth review of the U50
- Strap Recommendations for the U50
2021: WatchGecko becomes Retailer for Sinn
2021 was a special year for a number of reasons. Firstly, WatchGecko became an Official Retailer Of Sinn Watches. Sinn celebrated their 60-year anniversary, and some big releases came out! This included the U1 DS, 144 St S Anniversary II, 358 Sa Pilot DS, 358 Pilot B, 717, U50 S Mother of Pearl S, 104 St Sa I MG, and 434. You can read a full overview including all technical specifications of the 2021 releases here.
2022: 25 Years of the Mission Timer
In 2022 Sinn celebrated 25 years of the mission timer with a limited anniversary edition EZM 1.1 S. We also saw the U50 S BS, 556, 1739 Ag B, EZM 13.1 and 103 Ti Ar released.
2023: 105 St Sa UTC won the iF Design Award
2023 was a great year for milestones as the Sinn 105 St Sa UTC won the iF Design Award 2023.
In 2023 WatchGecko visited Time to Watches in Geneva and got to see Sinn’s releases for the year. These included the limited-edition Gold Bronze T50, T50 GBDR, T50, U50 DS and the U1 S Mother of Pearl.
Then when we thought we were done for the year Sinn prove us wrong with the release of the 356 PILOT Klassik Anniversary and 910 Eintracht 125th Anniversary Chronograph.
2024: 903 Series gets Revamped
The most recent models released by Sinn are the revamped 903 St Navigation Chronograph series. There are three references in the updated series: 903 St II with a black sunray brushed dial, 903 St B E II with a blue dial and the 903 St HB limited edition with light blue sunray brushed dial. They all measure 41mm in diameter with updated 200m water resistance ratings. You can read our in-depth overview here.
Back in Spring 2024, Sinn released their novelties for the year. These included the 103 St Ty Hd, 356 Sa PILOT III Commerzbank, U50 Hydro SDR, U50 Hydro, U50 Hydro S and U50 S L. Not only can you read all about these releases here, but you can also visit our YouTube channel where we get hands-on time at Sinn’s Headquarters in Frankfurt.
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.
If our history of Sinn Watches has sparked your interest, keep reading for some recommendations which you can source from our store.
- A sapphire crystal caseback frames the self-winding Sellita SW220-1 movement.
- A contemporary design with luminous hands and indices and a captive pilot’s bezel.
- Waterproof and low-pressure resistant to 20 bar and features anti-magnetic properties.
- The 356 Pilot is waterproof and pressure resistant as set out in standard DIN 8310.
- A powerful self-winding Sellita SW-500 movement with antimagnetic properties.
- The dial features a clean contemporary look with 3 subdials and luminous hands and indices.
- An elegantly designed sports watch with impressive legibility in any condition.
- Waterproof and low-pressure resistant to 200m with an anti-magnetic construction.
- At 38.5mm with a thickness of 11mm the case is very wearable and unobtrusive.
