We covered the launch event with essential base information on this site as embargo lifted (see here for the report), and received a loaner for a week’s use and abuse. Here is our in-depth report of the Sinn 105 UTC with our own unique high detail, high resolution photography.
Sinn 105 St Sa W UTC – hands on review
Retail price: 105 St Sa UTC – SGD 2,920 / USD 1,830 on leather strap, SGD 2,920 / USD 1,880 on silicone strap, SGD 3,290 / USD2,110 on bracelet
The model nomenclature states that this is the Sinn model 105, a new model in the collection. St stands for stainless steel case and Sa is short hand for sapphire crystal, with UTC being self explanatory. The new model features a steel case with the proprietary black Tagiment coating on the rotating bezel. Two versions were announced in November 2020, one with a white dial as reviewed, and another in a black dial. The W before UTC denotes that this is the version with the white dial.
The case, dial and hands
The case and bracelet is similar to many of the earlier Sinn cases. It looks rather similar, without a side by side AB comparison to the Chief Editor’s vintage EZM1, except that the EZM1 is a chronograph crafted in titanium, but the 105 is in stainless steel. Unlike many other manufacturers, Sinn makes their cases in their SUG case making facility in Glashütte. The case is rated to a water resistance depth of 200m.
The dial layout is as simple as they come. But not necessarily only for simplicity as an entry level watch, but also to provide superb legibility. The hour markers are lozenge shaped with a black outline surrounding a huge dollop of SuperLuminova. Minutes are marked as black lines on the pristine white dial. The hands are also lozenge shaped, also SuperLuminova in-filled with a black outer edge. The sweep second hand features a bulb near the indication end, also filled with lume.
As this is a two timezone watch, a huge second (UTC) hour hand, which is longer and painted in orange (no lume) is coaxially mounted to the regular hour hand. When only local time is needed, the two hour hands can overlap each other, but the orange hand can be set to indicate home time, as the user moves the regular hour hand to show local time when traveling.
The bezel is protected by a black hard coating of Tagiment over steel, and is marked with even hours from 2 to 24 in large and clear Arabic numerals, and odd hours shown as dots. A date display is shown through an aperture on the dial at 6 o’clock.
The Sinn logo is printed in black and the moniker UTC in orange, set to balance each other in a North-South configuration.
The overall feel of the screw down crown, and the fit and finish of the case, dial, hands, bracelet is very well engineered and excellent. The entire watch feels very robust, and ready for the tool watch duties which await.
The movement: Selitta SW 330-1
The movement is shown through a display sapphire window on the case back. The movement selected is the Selitta SW 330-1, a suitably workhorse movement to meet with the needs of an entry level tool watch.
The SW 330-1 is essentially a clone of the ETA 2893-2, both movements capable of showing two timezones simultaneously. Components are not 100% interchangeable, but the dimensions and locations of all the important points are identical, and many brands typically use one or the other, sometimes without revealing which one they used in any specific watch. There is one notable difference: the SW330-1 has 25 jewels and the ETA 2893-1 has 21 jewels. The movement has a power reserve of 42 hours and beats at 28,800 bph.
As is with all Sinn movements, the movement is only decorated to a good engineering finish, with no attempt to provide any decorative or visual aesthetic. The movement is a well proven one, and should work without issues for years to come. In the week it was with us, it suffered all the abuse we threw at it without any issues whatsoever.
Competitive landscape
The tool watch market place is a rather crowded one. But one which the Sinn brand name has a stronghold. We have done several lists of tool watches, and Sinn is always prominently featured. At the entry level pricing of below SGD 3k, the Sinn is a good choice. Other options will be from brands like Seiko’s diving range (e.g. PADI Automatic Diver), Citizen’s diving range (Promaster Mechanical Diver), Breitling’s new entry level Endurance Pro series.
Tudor (Black Bay) and Omega also have several models (Aqua Terra, Railmaster or Seamaster) which can be possible competitors, but they are more expensive.
Concluding thoughts
The Sinn 105 UTC has a lot going on for it. The handsome good looks. The simple layout and excellent legibility is another strong point. The legendary Sinn name in the world of tool watches, and the proven robustness of its siblings is another great testament. And finally, the value for money pricing makes it an excellent choice for those looking for a good, daily wear, go anywhere kind of watch. Four options to choose from – black or white dial in either bracelet or nylon strap.
Photo Notes
Photographed in the Deployant Studio with the Hasselblad H3D-39 with HC 4/120 and HC 2.8/80 with H28 extention tube. Profoto strobe lights.
2 Comments
Eh….Dimensions????
Case diameter is 41mm.