Second Mechanical Watch?
I have been enjoying the world of watches for about 8 months. Enjoying my Seiko 5, but also considering a level up purchase. I have been narrowing things down, and I keep coming back to these two. The Sinn I have handled in real life. The bracelet felt great, the MOP dial is tremendous, and it tooks all the boxes. However the bronze Christopher Ward is so unique but also built on the military style. Reviews for it are positive. Does anyone here own one or both? What is the bronze bader bracelet like?
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Mike
Casio, then Seiko owner, learning about watches
Calgary, AB, Canada
Member since
Last active: 1 hr ago
6.30” / 16.00 cm
I'd pick the CW for the bronze.
Sinn FTW. Solid build and great design wins it for me.
Sinn’s weak spot have been the clasp but they recently finally remedied it with a new tool less micro adjust clasp. Not sure it’s been released for the 556 so may want to double-check if of interest.
You can’t go wrong with either watch. I would prefer the CW, I’m a fan of Arabic number on dial and what about the bronze. Such a great material that will evolve over time. Enjoy the chase it’s the best part of this hobby!
If you get a Sinn check if you can get the bracelet with the new micro adjustments...
Sinn, not even close for me.
Sinn is well respected amongst enthusiasts, the 556 is a classic and very handsome.
CW as a brand is a little polarising, and the bronze aging is an acquired taste.
So I'd go for the Sinn both from an ownership perspective, and bearing in mind that tastes change, reselling the Sinn will be multiple times easier. If you buy the bronze CW you're going to be locked in with it forever, or take a significant loss.
I like the way fresh bronze looks but I don’t like the patina and I also don’t like having to maintain it to keep the color where I want. With all that said, I’d take the Sinn even if the CW wasn’t bronze.
That CW logo spoils the look on an otherwise really well-executed bronze; just my opinion. Probably I'd go for the Sinn in this instance.
Sinn. I own a 556 and it’s a wonderful watch
I have the CW Dune in all bronze and LOVE IT : It was a bit rose-gold blingy at first but within a few weeks acquired a nice patina that took the shine down just enough for me to really love the entire package. I find the bracelet itself is vastly superior (especially the milled clasp) to the Sinn's, although I am also quite a fan of the 556...
I don't own either, but both are great choices. Just keep in mind that bronze's immediate patination, corrosion, oxidation...whatever you want to call it...is not for everyone. If you like to keep you watch looking pristine go for the Sinn.
556 every time - I own one, so I'm biased ... Want to make something of it!😉
Sinn would be my choice and it’s not even close.
Go with the CW...which is also COSC certified (I dunno if the Sinn is a COSC 😂)
Id go for the Sinn. Timeless and the MOP is so interesting.
Sinn uses Top grade, which is essentially the same as the COSC but without the certification. I think that even if they wanted COSC certification they would not be able to as COSC is only open to Swiss-made brands and Sinn is made in Germany, even though the Sellita movement is of course Swiss.
I was lucky with my Seiko 5 (+4 seconds a day) I might struggle if it was less accurate than that (just comparatively)
I have a couple of CWs. Pound for pound best value watches. However, I'd go for the Sinn if you want something more unique/special/quirky.
These two are pretty close in price for me in Canada
I have the CW Dune in all bronze and LOVE IT : It was a bit rose-gold blingy at first but within a few weeks acquired a nice patina that took the shine down just enough for me to really love the entire package. I find the bracelet itself is vastly superior (especially the milled clasp) to the Sinn's, although I am also quite a fan of the 556...
Great to hear, the bracelet reviews are so good for thr CW bracelet
Sinn is well respected amongst enthusiasts, the 556 is a classic and very handsome.
CW as a brand is a little polarising, and the bronze aging is an acquired taste.
So I'd go for the Sinn both from an ownership perspective, and bearing in mind that tastes change, reselling the Sinn will be multiple times easier. If you buy the bronze CW you're going to be locked in with it forever, or take a significant loss.
This is great feedback. Sinn feels like it was founded at the very tail end of the mechanical era, and the CW brand construct sits a bit funny
I was lucky with my Seiko 5 (+4 seconds a day) I might struggle if it was less accurate than that (just comparatively)
That is lucky indeed! I can't speak for anyone else but my 23 month old Sinn 556A RS has averaged +2.90 seconds per day over its lifetime. As always, your mileage will vary.
Sinn imo
These two are pretty close in price for me in Canada
If equal pricing, I'd take Sinn hands down. For me, in the UK, the Sinn is about 1.3x the price of the CW.
Wow that's a lot from a single brand! Out of curiosity, which 5 do you have?
Left to right
C65 Trident Auto, C65 Dartmouth v1, C65 Chronograph, C65 GMT Worldtimer, The Twelve
Left to right
C65 Trident Auto, C65 Dartmouth v1, C65 Chronograph, C65 GMT Worldtimer, The Twelve
Oh I love The Twelve. The rest are nice too!
If equal pricing, I'd take Sinn hands down. For me, in the UK, the Sinn is about 1.3x the price of the CW.
Nice to know!
Tough one. I would choose the Christopher Ward. I love the bronze look. I would do it without the bracelet. I think I would get tired of the MOP dial and the Sinn clasp is not very good. Let us know what you decide.
CW
Life's a beach. Buy both.
I’d go with sinn I’ve had two 556’s and they are wonderful watches I’ve had some bronze watches and all of them except the oris big crown pointer date left green marks on my skin. Bronze is a bit of a fad I think and you might find yourself leaving it in the box after the honeymoon is over with it. I think the quality of CW is close enough to a 556 if you go that way. The sinn is a more likely to get worn daily. It’s almost perfect and it looks amazing on any style of strap if you fancy a change
Go with the CW...which is also COSC certified (I dunno if the Sinn is a COSC 😂)
Sinn aren’t cosc certified as a German watch I don’t think they are eligible but they regulate and test each watch to better than cosc I’ve had seven so far and all were within +/- 2 seconds a day the exception was my U50 that technically had a better movement than the others and for first month wasn’t keeping amazing time but settled in to around +1