SINN is renowned for its tough watch cases (the most widely known being their use of tegimented steel whose surface is hardened through the creation of a protective layer – the name being derived from the Latin ‘tegimentum’), but the brand’s relationship with submarine steel is also significant – they have been using submarine steel for its diving watches for two decades, with the steel developed by ThyssenKrupp for the outer hulls of the Type 206 submarine and the Type 212 submarines having formed the basis the SINN U series since 2005.

Now, to mark the two decades since this, SINN have released the new U15, U16 and U18, limited edition diving watches that use sea-water resistant steel from decommissioned U-15, U16 and U-18 Type 206 Bundesmarine (German Navy) submarines. The Type 206 was constructed between 1968 and 1975 – the U-15 was commissioned in 1974, the U-16 in 1973, and the U-18 also in 1973. The U-16 served thirty-six years and the U-16 and U-18 thirty-eight years, respectively. The nautical miles travelled by each of the subs is on the watch’s dial at 6 o’clock.

The steel for these watches was finished by watchmaking technology company Sächsische Uhrentechnologie GmbH Glashütte (SUG). The U15, U16, and U18 l differ in case size, but they all have a brushed finish, unidirectional bezel made from tegimented steel with a 60-minute scale, crown at 4 o’clock, and an engraved case back showing the silhouette of the submarine model, its name, the watch limitation number (xxxx/1000), and water resistance.

At 41mm with a thickness of 11.20mm and water resistance of 500m, the U15 is the smallest. The U16 is in a 44mm case with thickness of 14.70 and water resistance of 1,000m, and the U18 is also in a 44mm case but it is 15.50mm thick and has 2,000m water resistance. Not just desk divers.

Their dials are blue-green to represent the open sea, with stylised 3D air bubbles. An unexpectedly whimsical decoratiion from a very much tool watch brand. The hour, minute and seconds hands are all lumed, as are the markers and triangular marker on the bezel.

Both the Sinn U15 and the Sinn U18 are powered by the Sellita SW300-1, beating at 28,800 VPH with a power reserve of 56 hours. The Sinn U16 uses the Sellita SW200-1, which is also 28,800 VPH with a power reserve of 38 hours.

All three watches come on a stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp. The Australian RRPs are $4,600 (including GST)/ EUR 2,990 for the U15 and U16, and $5,200 (including GST)/ EUR 3,230 for the U18.

[Photo credit: SINN]

Categories: Divers watches, German watches, Limited Editions, Watch materials, Watch Profile, watches