Sinn quality issues?
I've been lusting over some Sinn models for a while and I was pretty close to pulling the trigger on a Sinn 556i, but in my research I found a few concerning mentions of quality issues with Sinn in general:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AsEp7TIPBOw (complaints about the quality of a Sinn 556i)
https://www.reddit.com/r/Watches/comments/5ehdd5/sinn_quality_control_quandary/
https://www.watchuseek.com/threads/does-sinn-have-major-qc-issues.4855079/
I know almost everyone agrees that their H-link bracelet has a bad clasp, but I'm curious about all the other complaints (e.g. about the case finish, the crown, etc). I also know that online you're more like to see the opinions of unhappy clients than those of happy clients. 🙂 Do you think those purported Sinn quality issues are more common than with other watch brands or they are just overblown? Has anyone had similar issues with their Sinns?
My first luxury watch (whatever this means) was a Tudor Ranger that was defective out of the gate and had to be replaced, so I'm really wondering if there are brands without quality issues, regardless of their prices.
So, what has been your own experience with Sinn's watches? And how would you compare it to similar German brands like Damasko, Stowa, Laco, Archimede and Muehle? (or whatever brand you want to use for comparison's sake)
Newly minted watch enthusiast (I got seriously interested in watches in late 2022). I aim to build a small collection (5-6) pieces over the course of the years. I'm mostly into Tudor & Seiko these day...
You raise a good question. I think in todays world everything is heightened. Ultimately there will always be some quality issues. There are those who report issues with Grand Seiko crystals etc. However i think these are rare when compaired to the amount of watches delivered. Online shopping increase the risk of disappointment so its always good to go see these thing first hand if you can or buy from someone thst has a good return policy.
I have a 104 and it’s been a rock. No issues in the year I’ve had it. I agree the clasp isn’t the most amazing thing for the price, but it’s solid and totally usable.
Actually I've never heared about any issues with Sinn.
Sinn is currently in big need of watchmakers due to sudden growth in demand for many of their models. This has led them having to employ people with no previous experience in the art of watchmaking (in hopes of teaching them of course). If the rumors are true and there are quality control issues I'd wager it being down to this. Remember that all Sinn watches come with minimum warranty of 2 years (sometimes 3 or even 5) so if you do encounter any issues and you bought yours new, they should be more than happy to fix/replace it for you!
I've never owned a Sinn watch, but do own several Muehle & Laco models which have been trouble free.
It’s been over 3 years since I got my EZM3. It’s rock solid.
Bracelet/Clasp - nothing to write home about. I wear it on NATO all the time so it doesn’t matter to me.
Rough edges on crown - yeah, probably rough but I never felt it until I saw the video. (I got it on winder so I rarely touch the crown.)
Crown operation - not smooth, I admit. EZM3 is over-engineered in many ways so I just say the money is going into other parts of the watch.
Case finishing - it is bead blasted with no polishing or brushing so I can’t tell.
Only gripe I have is it doesn’t get scratches. It’s my hiking/backpacking companion and I want scars on it. It only has a couple of tiny dents and no scratches after 100+ days of adventure in the mountains 😂
I’ve always had the 556 on my list and just never got round to my ever growing list. I think almost any watch brand would have an issue or two once in awhile and the rumours are overblown. Just as @MKUltra and @Markell say, you should be covered by the warranty or return policy. Go on, just pull the trigger😜
I have a 556i and a 105, and have had no issues with either. I do wish the clasps had at least another micro adjust hole, because the biggest problem I have with the 556 is bracelet fit. If they had tool-less micro adjust clasps instead of useless diver's extensions, they would be near perfect.
Your post is timely for me - I have just today received back my Sinn 104 from a regulation and testing under warranty!
It is probably not a fair comparison, because I purchased my Sinn on eBay (so the issue could possibly be due to misuse or magnetism). However, after a week or so, I realised that the accuracy was running at an average of -36spd. I was massively disappointed with this, because I had generally read that they are very accurate and reliable. So I sent it to the UK authorised warranty repairers, and they've now returned. I will keep the accuracy under review, but it has at least now been regulated and tested. Everything else about the watch seems solid and well built. The only other issue I have with it is that the anti-reflective coating (which I believe is on both sides of the crystal) seems to be a magnet for fingerprints and the like on the glass.
I also own a Laco (flieger chronograph), a Stowa (dress/deckwatch), a Dekla (deckwatch) and a Circula (diver). All of those are incredibly well built, and I have had no issues. The Laco (Kiel 2 Chronograph) in particular is incredibly accurate - operating at an average of +0.6spd over 16 days.
Never had a problem with mine. 6 years and still running like new.
Nothing in the links you posted would give me pause for buying a Sinn with confidence.
The Reddit one was laughable.
Watches are complicated beast sometimes. Out of my collection pieces from Patek, A Lange, Tutor, JLC and even one Rolex returned to the original factory for repairs. These pieces are all under 5 years old when the repairs took place and they were not abused prior.
The good news is that I did not have to pay even $1 for these repairs. Even for pieces out of warranty, the Swiss and Germany manufacturer stand behind the product, treat these issues as production defects and fixed free of charge.
The lesson for me is the relationship with your AD is very important. They step in to communicate with the watch manufacturer, most of times things just work out. I even received a free solid gold deployment buckle from one of the manufacturers which replaced the tang buckle from the original strap.
I recently got a Sinn 556i RS and have no troubles with it at all. The build quality is super. Go for it!
I own and have been using an 104 for more than a year now... No complaints whatsoever.. Accuracy is better than some chronometers that I own. . Looks and wears awesome too
No issues in 3-years of ownership with a Sinn U1 and 104
I got a 556 recently, built like a tank, no accuracy issues, very solid watch. More importantly, as @jjll849, the relationship with the manufacturer is important. The people over at Sinn are great to communicate with.
I've had my 104 for a year and a half and I LOVE IT. Do not hesitate to buy one. This was my first watch that cost more than 1k. For transparency, Sinn is the only German brand I've purchased. But that does not diminish my love for the brand. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I have a 104 and it’s been a rock. No issues in the year I’ve had it. I agree the clasp isn’t the most amazing thing for the price, but it’s solid and totally usable.
The lume pip on the bezel on mine fell off after a year and a half.
I have 3 Sinn watches, 556A, 105 utc, U50 pro, and all are solid. Crown feel and winding feel are important to me and interestingly all feel very different but still satisfying in their own way. Finishing seems good to me but I don't expect luxury from Sinns. My Tudor bb58 blue feels luxurious and the clasp is a big reason. Even though they're the same, Sinn clasps get better with different metal finishing. My 556 clasp is disappointing, the bead blasted clasp on the 105 feels better, and the tegimented clasp on the U50 feels great.
As for toughness, I was in a serious motorcycle accident 2 weeks ago and my 556 took a beating. The bezel, crystal, and clasp are heavily scratched from hitting the concrete. Everything I was wearing including my helmet was destroyed and I sustained more than 20 bone fractures! That 556 is on my wrist and keeping great time.
That's quite the story! I wish you a speedy recovery!
That's more or less what I'd expect myself. Thanks for sharing your experience with Sinn!
Never had an issue with my Sinn 104 🤙
Buy the watch because you like it as in my experience Sinn has quality issues like most any brands.
I’ve returned a 104 and a 103 for refund due to quality issue. The 104 I now have had to go for repair shortly after purchase for regulation as it was running outside of acceptable (to me) tolerances and the crown operation was intermittently poor.
Having said that the 556 which I have had for about 7 months has been fine.
I have read different things about Sinn issues but haven’t had any problems with the 4 I’ve had (556i, 556ib, and currently my 256Ty and U50).
I have heard some people say that build quality has gone down in the last 5-10 years but I can’t speak to it. My 256 from the late 00’s feels darn solid and runs at +0.0 s/d but my U50 also feels very well built. I think the rotating bezels have left some underwhelmed on other Sinn watches but the U50 bezel is a precise 60-click with heavy feel and absolutely no play (feels like a fixed bezel when you’re not actively turning it). The clasp is dated and should be updated but I have never minded it. It is at least appropriately sized (compared to some others that are too long and thick) and have been reliable for me. The bracelets are also comfortable (I really don’t wear bracelets other than my Sinn’s and Tudor).
I have also had a Damasko, 3 Stowas, and an Archimede. I don’t know where Archimede is now price-wise but I liked the 39mm pilot I had 10 years ago. Great Ickler case, elabore grade ETA at a very fair price. The Damasko and Stowa are more comparable for prices. The Damasko was solid and their case hardening seemed more impressive to me than Sinn’s and came standard with every watch (but often had lower grade movement compared to Sinn). Stowa is one of my favorite brands and their watches feel as well built as anyone’s in this segment, it’s just that they are not as ‘tool focused’. For a classic Flieger or Deck Watch, nobody touches Stowa in my (probably very biased) opinion. Stowa customer service has been great to me (even put an oversized crown on my handwound Partitio at no extra cost). There are great deals to be had with used Stowas.
For all the brands you mentioned, my 2 cents is to pick the watch that makes you tingle without causing your wallet to tremble. They are all well built and mostly have relatively similar movements. QC issues can happen to any watch and having a good warranty is a good thing.
Funny you had an issue with your Tudor. My blue BB58 is by far the most I’ve ever splurged on a watch and also the most issues I’ve ever had with one. Seems good now 🤞🏼.
Picture Tax for such a rambling comment:
I just got the same stowa. It’s a wonderful time piece, almost like new for around 1k dollars with 3 different straps from stowa. I also have the 556ib which is one of my favourite on the collection
I think their blasted cases look good, the polished/brushed cases seemed rather poorly finished for what you pay. I don't think it was a QC issue though, that's just how they are. But to be fair, Sinn isn't about pretty cases and shiny bracelets so I don't really take issue with that. Still, the blasted cases would be my pick (and I do in fact really like the 105 UTC)
Buy the watch because you like it as in my experience Sinn has quality issues like most any brands.
I’ve returned a 104 and a 103 for refund due to quality issue. The 104 I now have had to go for repair shortly after purchase for regulation as it was running outside of acceptable (to me) tolerances and the crown operation was intermittently poor.
Having said that the 556 which I have had for about 7 months has been fine.
Out of curiosity - what were the quality issues in your 103 and 104?
The operation of the crown was poor on both watches about 50% of the time. After unscrewing the crown did not ‘pop’, it couldn’t be manually wound or the date changed and was difficult to screw back in. On other occasions it worked as it was designed to.
Well, at the end I pulled the trigger on the 556i and my initial observations are that the quality is pretty good for the price. The clasp is nowhere nearly as good as that of my Ranger, but it's OK and it gets the job done. I was surprised how small it looks and wears in person, given that it has pretty similar dimensions to the Ranger. Now I'm curious to see how the movement will perform.
After two full days it seems it's running fairly accurately - around +2 spd. That's better than expected!
I own a Sinn U50 for almost 2 years now and got directly from the manufacturer. It's my most accurate watch, running consistently at +2 secs a day. The Case is the tegimented one and therefore still looks brand new. The only thing which bugs me a bit is, that the lug horns are a little blank where they meet the bracelet. I guess the only thing that can scratch a Sinn is a Sinn bracelet. 😂
But when the bracelet is attached you don't see the blank spots anyway.
I picked up my only Sinn (a UX GSG 9) back in 2020 and haven't found much to complain about. The lume could certainly be better but that may be due to the oil that the watch case is filled with. Also, the second hand bounces back a little after each tick (again, probably because of the oil).
The bezel feels a bit cheap for a watch in this price range, but I guess that really isn't a QC issue. My biggest complaint is that the strap it came with was huge and required a lot of trimming, which scared me to death because of the ridiculous cost of new factory Sinn rubber straps should I have trimmed a bit too much. But again, that isn't a QC issue.
As I type this I'm looking at it with a critical eye trying to find some issue with workmanship but I don't really see any. Of course, my eyes aren't what they used to be so I could be missing some small imperfection. So far my chonky boy has been an absolute tank. Hopefully I didn't just get lucky but rather any QC issues they may have are few and far between because I'd really like some more Sinns.
My EZM3 Band just Failed. It is broken and the Watch fell off my Wrist. There was no 'impact' or 'shock' - one of the pins simply "abraded" and the band fell apart. Odd. .. .. Is this what they Declare is a 'Mission Timer' ? in the same family of Watches they supply to the Kommando Spezialkräfte Marine ? ! Gosh
I was looking to get a 356, went to Facebook owners group (as I usually do in the last stages of my decision making) and found a number of stories of huge problems with the watch. A person implied it was because the change of movement.
I (very politely) published a post asking for feedback and infos, experiences, etc..
It was removed within a minute and I got banned.