One constant within the Sinn catalog since the beginning in the early 1960's has been the 103. The 103 superceeded the 101/102.
103 from the 1960's (Handwind)
103 from the 1970's (Handwind)
Widely seen as a watch that took it's initial design influence from the Breguet Type XX (20), the type XX itself was heavily influenced by the German Hanhart Chronographs of the 1940's.
Breguet type XX First model, as used by the French Military.
Breguet Type XX First model caseback - note service stamps.
The 101/103 was always produced in small numbers for buyers who required (and paid for) a robust, accurate and high quality Chronograph, each built by Helmut Sinn.
Sinn's business model can be seen as a forerunner to today's Boutique brands, as Herr Sinn used advertising in Aviation/Technological and Horological magazines and word of mouth to generate and continue his business. Sinn saw a need for specialist time pieces and being an aviator himself saw a lack of affordable, accessible watches to fulfill the needs of Aviators and so decided to start his own company with the intention of filling the void.
1980's Catalog.
Ostensibly a 'Pilots Chronograph' the 103 was also bought by many who required a chronograph that offered excellent value, clear legibility, a robust easy to service movement and that was actually available to purchase. Many of these specialist Military type Chronographs of the time were produced to fullfill standing Military contracts and as a result were not readily available to the public.
Within the Sinn Catalog the 103 is a watch that offers a multitude of potential options, including Steel or Titanium, Acrylic or Sapphire, Polished or Brushed, Strap or Bracelet etc.
Also it seems that every couple of years a limited edition 'special' will become available either directly from Sinn or as a special limited edition as seen in the Manufactum and Herbert Mayer pieces of the last few years.
Manufactum special 103 (2014)
Herbert Mayer special 103 (50 piece Ltd Edition).
My particular example is nothing spectacular, it is the base model Acrylic 103 that probably has the strongest connection to the first pilot's chrono's that Helmut Sinn built in the 1960's.
My 103 Arylic.
My 103 Acrylic on leather.
I've had this for about 8 months and picked it up on the forums at what I thought was a 'steal' of a price. Actually I thought it was too good a deal to pass up (an absolute impulse buy) so I jumped on it not really knowing if I wanted it or not.
Over the intervening months' the watch has become probably the most worn watch that I have (I didn't see that coming) and thinking over the reasons for this I came to several conclusions that are 'true for me'.
The watch has the strong no nonsense, no excessive 'bling' aesthetics that has always attracted me. It is accurate, consistent, has good lume, is 'Retro' without being a pretender, allows accurate timing in 12 hour increments, fits in any circumstance, can be dressed with leather, nylon, rubber or bracelet, fits under a shirt cuff, work's with jeans, shorts, suits (anything) has 200M water resistance and can often be resold with out any significant loss on the secondary market.
In short it is as close to the perfect Chrono as you are likely to find, for those of you who own this watch you know what I mean, for those of you who are thinking of buying this watch Jump in, and for those Sinn aficionados that don't own one, Get one.
In conclusion, I say....."Long live the 103".
(Some photo's are mine & some I have 'lifted' from the internet).
103 from the 1960's (Handwind)
103 from the 1970's (Handwind)
Widely seen as a watch that took it's initial design influence from the Breguet Type XX (20), the type XX itself was heavily influenced by the German Hanhart Chronographs of the 1940's.
Breguet type XX First model, as used by the French Military.
Breguet Type XX First model caseback - note service stamps.
The 101/103 was always produced in small numbers for buyers who required (and paid for) a robust, accurate and high quality Chronograph, each built by Helmut Sinn.
Sinn's business model can be seen as a forerunner to today's Boutique brands, as Herr Sinn used advertising in Aviation/Technological and Horological magazines and word of mouth to generate and continue his business. Sinn saw a need for specialist time pieces and being an aviator himself saw a lack of affordable, accessible watches to fulfill the needs of Aviators and so decided to start his own company with the intention of filling the void.
1980's Catalog.
Ostensibly a 'Pilots Chronograph' the 103 was also bought by many who required a chronograph that offered excellent value, clear legibility, a robust easy to service movement and that was actually available to purchase. Many of these specialist Military type Chronographs of the time were produced to fullfill standing Military contracts and as a result were not readily available to the public.
Within the Sinn Catalog the 103 is a watch that offers a multitude of potential options, including Steel or Titanium, Acrylic or Sapphire, Polished or Brushed, Strap or Bracelet etc.
Also it seems that every couple of years a limited edition 'special' will become available either directly from Sinn or as a special limited edition as seen in the Manufactum and Herbert Mayer pieces of the last few years.
Manufactum special 103 (2014)
Herbert Mayer special 103 (50 piece Ltd Edition).
My particular example is nothing spectacular, it is the base model Acrylic 103 that probably has the strongest connection to the first pilot's chrono's that Helmut Sinn built in the 1960's.
My 103 Arylic.
My 103 Acrylic on leather.
I've had this for about 8 months and picked it up on the forums at what I thought was a 'steal' of a price. Actually I thought it was too good a deal to pass up (an absolute impulse buy) so I jumped on it not really knowing if I wanted it or not.
Over the intervening months' the watch has become probably the most worn watch that I have (I didn't see that coming) and thinking over the reasons for this I came to several conclusions that are 'true for me'.
The watch has the strong no nonsense, no excessive 'bling' aesthetics that has always attracted me. It is accurate, consistent, has good lume, is 'Retro' without being a pretender, allows accurate timing in 12 hour increments, fits in any circumstance, can be dressed with leather, nylon, rubber or bracelet, fits under a shirt cuff, work's with jeans, shorts, suits (anything) has 200M water resistance and can often be resold with out any significant loss on the secondary market.
In short it is as close to the perfect Chrono as you are likely to find, for those of you who own this watch you know what I mean, for those of you who are thinking of buying this watch Jump in, and for those Sinn aficionados that don't own one, Get one.
In conclusion, I say....."Long live the 103".
(Some photo's are mine & some I have 'lifted' from the internet).