So it is the L888.4 COSC, right?
I am not saying that the L888.4 is the better movement. However, a monocrystalline balance spring has some advantages (i.e.less prone to magnetism).For more detailed info:

Technical Notes: The Silicon Hairspring - Wound For Life

Wound For Life brings you a breakdown on the silicon hairspring -- what it is, where it came from, and where it's going.

www.woundforlife.com

.
Anyway, if the question would be „Sinn vs Longines“ I‘d go for the Sinn.

 

Why would you pick Sinn over Longines, generally speaking, if you don't mind me asking?

 

Hey!
I am new to watches and new to this forum. I am debating between getting the Sinn 556 A RS and the new Longines Conquest (model #: L3.830.4.52.6). I can't decide between the two, and have ultimately decided that I am going to get whichever one has the better automatic movement. I was going to post this question on Reddit, but I know that I am going to get the best and most accurate answers on this forum.

The Sinn has the:
"SW200-1
Self-winding mechanism
26 bearing jewels
28,800 semi-oscillations per hour
Seconds stop function
Anti-magnetic as per DIN 8309"

The Longines has the:
"L888
Self-winding mechanical movement beating at 25'200 vibrations per hour, with a monocrystalline silicon balance-spring power reserve up to 72 hours"

I'm uncertain whether the answer to my question about the optimal movement is glaringly obvious or a genuinely difficult decision. Please forgive my naivete!

I greatly appreciate anyone who willing to help me out.

Welcome. L888 is Longines' name for the ETA A31.L11, which is an update to the old ETA 2892. They slowed the balance down a bit from what 2892 had, but got a lot more power reserve out of it. A31.L11 is also using either Nivachron or Silicium for its balance spring, which 2892 didn't have, and so therefore it has much better magnetic resistance, particularly the silicon balance version. I'm not sure which version Longines is using in the Conquest, but I'm sure they could answer that.

SW200 is the Sellita clone of the ETA 2824, which was a much lower grade movement than 2892 was. Sellita also has a clone of the 2892 - the SW300. The 2824/SW200 are somewhat gritty winders, and noisy. There is debate about the strength of the winding train, and some will tell you that you shouldn't hand wind them, at least not very much. I've never followed that advice with my SW200s, and I've never had any issues with them.

That's not to say that can't happen, but I've not experienced it. The fact of the matter is though, 2892 does not have that problem, and it's just a better movement, full stop. Omega used it with some modifications for quite a long time as Cal 1120, and then later 2500 when they grafted on the co-axial escapement to it.

I've had, and currently have several watches with SW200s in them, and also have had a few SW300s, and the Omega 1120. If I have a choice between 2824/2892 and SW200/300, I'm going 2892/300 all day every day and twice on Sundays.

SW200 is pretty much bottom of the barrel as far as currently available off-the-shelf Swiss movements. It's better than the STP equivalent, and maybe the Ronda R150? Can't say for sure on the latter, I haven't used it. It's not a "nice" movement though. 2892/SW300/Cal 1120 and presumably L888 are "nice" movements.

 

Excellent, informative answer, thank you!

 

Welcome to the forums! Your username was a Ukrainian poet, and the name of a concert video by my favorite band.

If we're talking movements, the L888 is easily superior to the SW200. It has a longer power reserve and a free sprung silicon balance. Silicon is an excellent material for a balance spring because it is amagnetic and never loses its shape. The L888 is also thinner, though I don't know the dimensions of those cases.

To answer another question, I don't think the L888 in the Conquest is COSC certified, but it's the same as the ones that are.

 

It's good to know that the movement inside one's watch can be regulated to COSC certification when your watch is new, but COSC doesn't mean the watch will continue to function at the level of the certified specification throughout the years. For me "certified chronograph" markings on the watch are not too important.

 

Longines for the movement alone......

 

I’ve always been perfectly happy with basic movements like the 2824 or SW200 - never had a problem. The Longines is the nicer movement if that really matters to you - but being a movement snob on a budget is kind of an oxymoron. Get the watch that appeals to you more - both movements will work fine.

 

Both movements will indeed do the trick, however apparently hand winding the movement in the Sinn 556 can damage the watch; I have come across people talking about this in YouTube comments before. I don't want to have to worry about that. The 72 hour power reserve of the Longines Conquest appeals to me. Also, if this is going to be my "forever watch," I want to be satisfied with the movement. I want to know that MY watch, that I wear every day, has an epic little machine inside of it. I love the aesthetics of the Sinn, however I want the best. Thank you for your reply.

 

The Sinn and longines are completely different looking watch with the later being way shinier than the former. If you are an action hero get Sinn and if you are cyber warrior get longines. As for the movement just do date change, time change, hand winding etc to see which ones feels better. Even if one movement is better than the other it is not going to be 100% better, the difference would at best marginal. Doubt if there is any reason to procrastinate about movement superiority.
P.s. does the longines model you are looking at have display back if so there is absolutely no contest.

 

It do. And the L888 is nicely decorated. A lot of brands that use the SW300 don't do anything beyond the basic elabore grade finish of that movement. That's what my Monta Noble had, standard Sellita finish with a customized rotor. The L888 is much nicer to look at than that.

Incidentally, the L888.5 designation on the back indicates that it is the silicon balance non-chronometer. So yeah, far better than the SW200.

 

I have the 556 is a great watch, but this Longines is superior.

The Longines is your best option, unless you have small wrist, because the 556 is better suited for small wrists.

 

I really hope Longines does a 39mm version of the new Conquest with 20mm lugs!

 

Longines probably superior movement wise, but buy the one you like best.

 

If you are one who rotates watches and will put this watch down and pick it up again after a couple days, the longer power reserve may mean you don't have to reset the time on the Longines quite as often as you would with the Sinn.

Otherwise I don't think the differences would noticeably affect the enjoyment of the watches, so I would choose based on looks and comfort on the wrist.

 

The L888 is based on the ETA 2892 which is in a different class than the SW2xx.

L888 is vastly superior.

 

Q. Which movement is better—Sinn 556 (SW200-1) or the New Longines Conquest (L888)?
A. They are both better movements than their previous versions.

 

The Longines movement is superior as many have already stated. But as someone new to watches just understand that the movement is only part of the package. The greatest movement means very little if it's in a watch you don't love.

 

I've had too many issues with SW200 to trust. Specifically, I bought the model previous to the 556A to be sure it has the 2824.

But an improved 2892? Top notch. In a Spirit 37, please.

 

Ask yourself, which watch you would choose if they had the exact same movement. That should be your answer.

 

This is good advice.

Movements are interesting, and I'm a nerd for them. But when it comes to the enjoyment of wearing a watch, the movement is not nearly as important as a lot of us think it is.

 

Longines by a mile. Eta2892 is an incredible movement and much better than the sellita based 2824.

 

@TarasShevchenko
Do you want to buy a movement or a watch? With the former you have no choice, as the ETA A31.L11 is not sold separately and with the latter it is irrelevant, as you have no influence on which movement is used in the watch of your choice. Apart from that, however, both movements have been used in their basic version millions of times over for decades without any problems, so both have long since proven their reliability and quality.

@all
It's fascinating how you jump over the stick of an obvious troll – the OP registered here 11 hours ago with an obviously provocative question and hasn't been seen since and will probably not be seen here again.

 

@TarasShevchenko
Apart from that, however, both movements have been used in their basic version millions of times over for decades without any problems, so both have long since proven their reliability and quality.

Without any is stretching it. Plenty of people have had no issues with their SW200s. I'm one of those people. The STP 3-13 on the other hand....

But that's not to say you can't easily find pictures of SW200s with ratchet wheel teeth knocked out like they just got in a bar fight. It does happen. I just don't know how common it necessarily is.

 

I'm usually a Sinn fan. More easily read at a glance, better lume, etc. However, if we are going by the movement then the Longines wins in a walk. I am NOT a fan of the SW200 movement. Both of the watches that I own with it have needed service to meet the specs of power reserve. L3.830.4.52.6 appears to be the NON-COSC version of the L888, but it does have a monocrystalline silicon balance-spring.

 

Thanks.

 

The L888.5 is several steps above the sw200-1. I believe Longines is the only brand in swatch that gets that one exclusively, anti mag, 72 hr pr, improved rotor winding over the 2892-a2. That said I have no problems with the SW200-1 in my Sinn

 

I appreciate your input.

 

I’d view both movements as “good” and concentrate on the design of the watches to make your choice.

 

I am looking to spend $1000-$2000 on a nice watch (my “forever watch”). Would you mind recommending to me some options to look at? Like, what watch would you buy for that price range? I do acknowledge that my decision will fundamentally be based on appearance (subjective opinion.

Many watches to choose from. You have to do some work online and find out what appeals to you... (by the way, the Sinn is a great everyday watch)

 

I think I am going to go with the Longines Conquest 38mm in Sunray Black.

 

The problem with a question like this is define "better"

 

Good point, and thanks for highlighting that. I realize "better" can mean different things to different people. I guess I was fishing for people's perspectives on what makes one watch superior to another.

 

I'm a fan of both brands but have only owned Longines. The 556, while minimalistically attractive, offers no features that some of the higher level models have like the 836 including a Tegimented (hardened) case or an ETA 2892-A2 movement, but of course it is also less expensive. The 856 is also Tegimented but with an SW-300-1 under the hood (according to the Sinn website). Cheers!

 

I own the previous gen Conquest which has the L888. Mine runs +4spd and has the smoothest winding feel of all my watches.

 

Nice.

 

Longines is an upgrade on the Sinn movement The cost of the Sinn with that movement is disproportionate…I have a Super Squale with the SW 200 and I love it but it was much cheaper than the Sinn. Just my opinion

 

Thanks for the information.

 

Love the black dial

 

I like the black dial as well. I don't know if you heard, but the Longines Conquest 38mm is out. I am for sure going to get it once I save up some money. Before I make a final decision on the dial color, I am going to view the watches in person, of course. Right now I am leaning towards the black dial.

Check out this video of the black dial. It looks gun metal grey in this video, doesn't it?

I think I am going to go for the black dial because this watch already looks very dressy and snazzy without the added color. I think the additional color, such as the blue dial, would make the watch look too flashy—too blingy. I plan to wear this watch every day, not just on formal occasions, so I don't want a really blingy watch. I personally think the black makes the watch look sporty. The black is nice and will go with anything I wear. Black is very versatile. This is going to be my only wristwatch, so it's important for it to be versatile.