Is Copying a Sinn??
Well well well what do we have here?? Have Z Germans been sneaky and copied an iconic watch or made an Homage to the Navitimer??’
Actually it’s neither. Back during the Quartz crisis of the 70’s Breitling found themselves in trouble and started selling off some of their patents. The Navitimer was one of them and Mr Sinn quickly snapped it up for himself where he told his watchmakers, “make this but better! And give it a snazzy name!” And there the 903 was born!
Personally in my subjective opinion i would opt for the Sinn over the Breitling. There is something about it I find better looking then the Navi, plus it helps being nearly half the price!
But what do you guys think? Does the Navitimer rule supreme or is actually the sinn a better buy??
Let me know your thoughts Crunchers!
Been watch collecting for about 5 years now, don’t necessarily follow the masses with trends, tend like the older style watches as they seem to have a bit more style to them! You do get some gems in t...
The Sinn design follow the origional Navitimer 806 design more closely, which a I believe is the patent that was sold. I personally prefer the original 806 design too (but before they added the date!)
Thank you for providing some history and making Sinn respectable again.
But is that a helium escape valve? I admit I know nothing about this Sinn watch 😭.
The Sinn would be a better buy if it was possible to get one because I think that they are out of stock for a long time.
The Sinn design follow the origional Navitimer 806 design more closely, which a I believe is the patent that was sold. I personally prefer the original 806 design too (but before they added the date!)
Aww interesting thanks for that 👍🏻
Thank you for providing some history and making Sinn respectable again.
But is that a helium escape valve? I admit I know nothing about this Sinn watch 😭.
No this is a pilots watch with 30 metres of water resistance
The Sinn would be a better buy if it was possible to get one because I think that they are out of stock for a long time.
Yeah second hand market if you want one! Hopefully they are just working on producing a new release!
Thank you for providing some history and making Sinn respectable again.
But is that a helium escape valve? I admit I know nothing about this Sinn watch 😭.
To earn my ticket as a fully contributing member of society, I did some research on the rulers of both watches. The Breitling ruler moves using the bezel, while the Sinn ruler moves using the 10 o'clock crown.
Andrew Morgan teaching us how to use the Breitling ruler
Another less famous bloke on the Sinn ruler
Now that I know not how to use the Navitimer, I'm ready to fly the friendly skies. But my head hurts from all that useless info. I need a lie-down first.
I have owned quite a few different Breitling Navitimers over the years, Sinn is not quite as easy to find here in Toronto. I prefer Breitling because that is my experience, not saying it is superior. I have met a lot of folks who really slam the B brand but also admit they have never owned one.
I'm waiting for someone to come out and boldly & proudly state, 'our watch has more sh_t on the dial than everyone else's.'
To each his own, but that Sinn dial would have me cross-eyed.
No this is a pilots watch with 30 metres of water resistance
If I was a pilot, I hope I'd never have to test the "...30 metres of water resistance..."
I have owned quite a few different Breitling Navitimers over the years, Sinn is not quite as easy to find here in Toronto. I prefer Breitling because that is my experience, not saying it is superior. I have met a lot of folks who really slam the B brand but also admit they have never owned one.
I do think Breitling is a Marmite brand to many. I’m not a huge fan but I have love for the aerospace and Emergency!
I do think Breitling is a Marmite brand to many. I’m not a huge fan but I have love for the aerospace and Emergency!
Two very capable models from the catalogue! 👍
Interesting piece of history. Thank you.
If making the choice I would lean towards the Breitling due to the Navitimers' history and my own admitted love for the brand going back decades. 😊
Breitling hands down
I have no technical info of the two, but I usually lean towards the original.
My wonder is, what made Sinn buy the right while some are copying without permission and selling everywhere with no legal issues!
Breitling, clear choice.
Answers your questions, including Sinn’s purchase of the rights to the Navi.
https://www.watchgecko.com/blogs/magazine/why-the-sinn-903-isnt-just-a-navitimer-homage
“So, it isn’t just a Navitimer homage?
To put it plainly, it ticks the Navitimer boxes in every category and at half the price of the Breitling Navitimer. It by no means feels like a Breitling knock-off and it’s clear Sinn have honoured the design elements that made the Navitimer popular in the first place and expanded on this to suit their modern buyers. I believe the most common hesitation against the 903, is that some people just want ‘the original Breitling Navitimer’ - which unless you get lucky in your E-Bay bids you won’t find, as any Breitling Navitimers made after 1979 are rebranded by Sicura. In some ways, the Sinn 903 feels like a truer embodiment of the original Navitimer than those produced today under the Breitling name.”
I lean towards Sinn. I usually do! 😂