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Anytime Sinn or Steinhart release new models, its news fit to print on worn&wound – these German watch brands are two of our favorites. And it’s especially big news when both release new, limited edition pieces at the same time, which is just the case with the announcement of the Sinn 155 Military Special Edition and Steinhart Nav. B Chrono II Limited Gold Edition.
These new releases have more in common than release date and limited quantity however. Each also feature the Valjoux 7750 automatic movement and only utilize two of the three available subdials, eliminating the active seconds subdial. Both chronographs have a large chrono second hand, and vertically positioned hour and minute chronograph subdials. There is, of course, quite a bit that separates the pieces as well, so lets get into the specifics.
Sinn 155 Military Special Edition
Case: Stainless Steel
Case Back: Solid
Movement: Valjoux 7750
Dial: Black
Lens: Acrylic
Strap: Black calf leather with white stitching and signed tang buckle
Water Res.: 10 ATM
Diameter: 43 mm
Thickness: 15.5 mm
Warranty: 2 years
Price: $1,560 from watchbuys.com (sold out)
The Sinn 155 is actually a reissue of a classic and much beloved piece originally produced in the 1960’s for the German Federal Defense Forces (Bundeswehr), under the Leonidas brand name. However, the Leonidas name only appeared on these chronos for a brief period of time, as in the early 1960’s, Heuer (now TAG Heuer) acquired the Leonidas company, along with the Bundeswehr chronograph designs. At that time, Heuer also began working with Sinn to provide the watch cases. Together, Heuer and Sinn collaborated on the watch, with the Heuer name appearing on all military issued pieces, and several Sinn branded chronographs released for commercial sale. The Heuer manufacturing licence in Germany did not allow for pieces to be sold commercially, so Sinn worked out an arrangement with Heuer to produce some Sinn branded pieces as well.
The new 155 limited edition is not an exact replica of the 1960’s chrono, far from it. The 1960’s version featured two horizontally positioned chrono subdials, while the updated 155 features vertically placed subdials with the addition of a day/date function and more decorative pointed hands. The spirit if the 155 is true to tradition however, as evidenced by overall aesthetic similarities to the original pieces (black bezel, white dial markings, same font), as well as the inclusion if an acrylic crystal for a distinctly classic feel. The 155 also shares its size with the original military chronos, coming in at 43 mm in diameter.
Unfortunately, the 155 has already sold out. That was quick, having been announced on October 25th, but to be expected. Sinn is a brand with a brief but storied history, and is known for producing highly accurate and well manufactured timepieces. When a historically significant, limited edition watch is introduced, you can bet it’s going to sell fast. It is not stated on the Watch Buys website how limited the 155 is. Originally priced at $1,560 with free shipping, keep an eye out for this piece on the used watch forums or at watchrecon.com. I would suspect that one or two may pop up in the coming weeks or months.
Steinhart Nav. B Chrono II Limited Gold Edition
Case: Stainless Steel
Case back: Display with sapphire glass
Movement: Soigné-finished Valjoux 7750 in gold
Dial: Black
Lens: Double-domed sapphire with inner anti-reflective coating
Strap: One brown calf leather and one brown vintage buffalo leather with signed buckle
Water Res.: Limited, no swimming or shower
Dimensions: 47 mm
Thickness: 16.6 mm
Warranty: 2 years
Price: $1,000 from Steinhart website
Where then Sinn chrono shines with history and industry leading craftsmanship, the Steinhart Nav. B Chrono II Limited Gold Edition makes up in polish, presentation and price. The Gold Limited Edition of the very popular Nav. B Chrono II is unique from the base design in a number of ways. As the name suggests, the Limited Edition features polished gold hour, second and subdial hands, as well as a decorated Valjoux 7750 movement that has been colored gold and stamped with the Steinhart logo. The Limited Edition also eliminates the day/date functions of the traditional Nav. B Chrono II, instead featuring a small date window at 6 o’clock. Finally, the Limited Edition includes straight chrono pushers, unlike the nail shaped pushers of the base model.
Being a limited edition piece, the Gold Nav. B Chrono II also comes in a more robust package than seen with standard Steinhart pieces and is accompanied by some additional accessories. With the piece you will receive a brown leather pilot strap as well as a brown vintage buffalo leather strap and strap changing tool. Each piece arrives in a high quality, Steinhart-branded wooden box with an affixed metal certificate stating your watch’s series number.
When considering the Steinhart Nav. B Chrono II Limited Gold Edition’s unique design elements, quality components, special edition packaging and added accessories, its price if just $1,000 (without VAT tax) is really quite remarkable. This stands as yet another example of Steinhart offering an incredibly high quality product at an unbelieveable price.
By Blake Malin
