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WATCH REVIEW Sinn 103 St Sa

Editor's opinion
65.5 / 100
Sinn is a well-known brand for the watches' amateurs for almost 50 years. But less known from the general public. I have tested for you a historical model of the Frankfurt's brand: the 103 St Sa.
Straight to the Point

Sinn 103 St Sa

Ref.: 103 St Sa
$2,170.00 US retail price September 20th, 2010
Pros
  • an excellent value for money
  • a multitask watch
  • the legibility
Cons
  • its thickness
  • its weight
Brand Sinn
Model name
103 St Sa
Reference
103 St Sa
Case material
Steel
Case diameter (without crown)
41 mm
Case diameter (crown included)
45 mm
Movement type
Automatic
Caliber
ETA 7750
Base Caliber
ETA 7750
Functions
Chronograph
Date
Day
Hour
Minute
Second
Crystal
Dual-face crystal with anti-reflective coating
Power reserve
48h
Transparent back
Yes
Lug width
20.12 mm
Length from lug to lug
47.87 mm
Case thickness
17.37 mm
Clasp type
Deployment clasp
Clasp material
Steel
Total weight
180 grammes
Retail price USA at September 20th, 2010
$2,170.00
Comfort (/15) 12
Movement (/20) 9
Movement Optimisation / Garnishment (/5) 2
Ease of handling and adjustment (/5) 4
Movement control proceeded by the Manufacture / horlogical awards (/3) 0
Power reserve (/2) 1
Complications (/5) 2
Finishing (/20) 12
Dial finishing (/6) 4
Case finishing (/6) 3
Quality of garnishment / caseback engraving quality (/2) 1
Crystal quality (/4) 3
Clasp finishing (inner and extern) (/2) 1
Functionality (/20) 14.5
Diurnal legibility (/5) 4.5
Night legibility (/4) 2.5
Water resistance (/3) 1.5
Strap : ease of size adjustment + ease of substitution (/4) 3
Clasp : quality and safety (/4) 3
Additional items (/10) 3
Limited edition (/3) 0
Watch delivered with several straps (/2) 0
Quality of the watch box (/1) 1
Portability with shirtsleeves buttoned (/2) 0
Goodies included (/1) 1
Understandability of the brochure (/1) 1
Value for money (/15) 15
When to wear it ? Down on earth, in the air or beneath the sea!
Users opinion
78%
like this watch
Do you like this watch?

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 very large sapphire back, slightly rounded, lets see the movement with its Sinn engraved rotor.

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.

 

What to remember

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!

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