Slideshow = 20 photos available to see this watch from every angle.
Helmut Sinn has created Sinn in 1961: his aim was to provide sturdy, readable and affordable navigating instruments for airplanes or car rallies pilots.
This 103 is the heiress of his initial will: it keeps a very classical design that dates from the first steps of the brand, in the same direct vein of the military aviators' watches, such as the Type XX.
The dial
This 103 is endowed with a black matt dial, which sub-dials are slightly standing back and are in perfect contrast with the finely applied paints.
As well, the syringe-shaped hands have a slight vintage side and are perfectly readable.
As classically on watches driven by an ETA 7750 movement, the sub-dials are displayed at 6-9-12 o'clock and the day/date at 3 o'clock.
The limited addition of literature on the dial allows the whole remaining well balanced.
The application of Luminova on the hands and the numbers of the markers is efficient.
It is a pity anyway that the hands shine more intensely and longer than the markers – it affects a little the readability at night.
The dial is protected by a rounded sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
The sober result is classical and benefits a very good daytime legibility.
The case
The case is made of polished steel.
The angular and beveled lugs emphasize the “rough” side of the model. As well as the screwed push buttons and the bezel – rotating in both sides, allowing a very practical countdown use.
The 41 mm case benefits a very contained diameter regarding the actual tendency in watchmaking.
But the 17.37 mm thickness and its 180 grams weight (with its steel strap) make it too much present around the wrist.
Nevertheless, you get used to it. It remains indeed comfortable thanks to its shape and reveals itself to be extremely multitasking thanks to its look and characteristics.
Moreover, after several tests, any kind of straps will fit this Sinn 103 St Sa.
The movement
The very large sapphire back, slightly rounded, lets see the movement with its Sinn engraved rotor.
It is a classic ETA 7750, the most spread of the chronograph's movements.
The 48-hour power reserve, the Incabloc anti-shock, as well as the gilded Glucydur balance show nevertheless the well-manufactured finishing of the movement.
All this is confirmed by an excellent state of work of the specimen, which has been tested in all positions.
As usual, the 7750 provides reliability and sturdiness to this Sinn 103 St Sa.
But it also suffers the usual same flaws such as its unidirectional winding, the slightly rough release of the chronograph or its little flattering architecture.
Conclusion
If you are looking for a classical, sober and multitask chronograph, this Sinn 103 St Sa has dreadful arguments.
And do not hesitate to discover the more modern or innovating designs of Sinn watches : there is a wide choice of models!
The +:
- an excellent value for money
- a multitask watch
- the legibility
The –:
- its thickness
- its weight
Further information:
- journalist's wrist = 17,5 cm
For "pilot / space watches", see also :
