As for Sinn, I know that the limited edition won’t come without the special functionally inspired story behind it. It’s not the nature of the brand that releases “just reason.” To celebrate the 20th anniversary of creating a diving watch made from submarine steel, Sinn came up with the new U15, U16, and U18 limited editions based on existing models. However, using stainless steel from an abolished German U-boat makes these watches special. Let’s find out more!
When I first saw the photos of the three new Shin U models, it was difficult to convey the differences between them. In addition to the case size, the watch looks the same at first glance. But we all know that when it comes to Singh, there is more to the story. Celebrating its 20th anniversary of the production of submarine steel diving watches, these new variants use steel from actual German naval submarines, each with a different U-boat. As you can imagine, the U15, U16, and U18 model names are all references to the corresponding submarine. Additionally, all three models have similar shiny blue dials that point to the adventures of three underwater vessels.
Background of these 20th Annual Editions
To make things easier, all three of these models are made up of steel from U15, U16 and U18 type 206 submarines. But just as simple as the idea explains, going from a shipyard submarine to a wrist watch is a little more challenging to make it happen.
Steel sheets from German Navy submarines
If there’s one watchmaker we can trust to make that challenge roughly, that’s Shin. The brand was a great success with the release of a new model. However, the people of Singh did not do everything themselves, but rather sought the help of Sächsische Uhrentechnologie Gmbh Glashütte, a well-known manufacturer of watch cases. SUG helped conquer the challenge of creating cases, but this was not easy.
The metal from the three submarines was not typical flat steel, as they were curved as part of the submarine. So, before the cut-out metal sheets became a monitoring case, the SUG team had to straighten them.
In the next step, we used a water jet cutter to cut blanks on the caseback, midcase and rotating bezels from straight plates of German submarine steel.
Sug confirmed to produce separate parts to the highest standards, resulting in the right diving clock that tells an incredible story. Certainly, it is a story that combines the history of three abolished submarines with Singh’s 20-year tradition of creating diving clocks from the same type of German steel.
Clear Shiny Blue Anniversary Dial
Another critical factor that brings together these 20th anniversary models is the dial design. The Shine will equip each model with a special blue high gloss dial under the anti-reflective sapphire crystal. The inspiration for the dark blue shade on the dial comes from the colours of the open sea from a depth of about 30 meters. It hinted at the operating range of U15, U16 and U18 submarines, allowing them to dive into depths of up to 100 meters. As you can see, the dial features a rising bubble pattern with a three-dimensional appearance thanks to the metallic blue and green that gives it a color. Additionally, the dial features the number of sailing miles each ship traveled.
The caseback continues with connections to a Type 206 submarine. Each features a matching container silhouette and features detailed tests of the watch to ensure that the watch complies with the strictest European diving standards of water and pressure resistance. The result is an astounding trio of watches, completely different despite a similar backstory.
Shin U15
Let’s take a closer look at each model. Start things with Sinn U15, based on the brand U50. This watch has a 41mm case with a thickness of 11.2mm. This case is made from steel from a U15 submarine commissioned in 1974.
After completing its final mission 36 years later, the ship travelled impressive 200,045 nautical miles to fulfill its duties. The record-breaking number is proudly stated on the dial as evidence of the U15’s achievements. The satin-washed case has a crown at 4 o’clock and is also water resistant to 500 meters (DIN 8310) and low pressure resistance.
The stainless steel bezel features trimolecular treatment of Sin and is wound resistant. Apparently, the bezel markings are white and light blue, matching the bubbles on the dial. Inside the case, Shin equips the Sellita SW300-1 with a watch. This automatic movement runs at 28,800VPH, has 25 gems and provides a 56-hour power reserve. As you can see, the dial also has a 3 o’clock date window.
The U15 comes with a standard stainless steel H-link bracelet with folding clasp. This is the ultimate functional touch to a stylish design. Importantly, Singh developed the watch according to the technical requirements of the German diving standard DIN 8306. As a result, this new Sinn U15 is the perfect combination of the rich navy past and modern diving capabilities.
Shin U16
The second model is the Sinn U16, based on the brand’s popular U1. Shin used the steel from a U16 submarine commissioned in 1973 and ran the 207,000 nautical miles he is proud of in 38 years. This watch features a 44mm stainless steel case rated at 14.7mm thickness and 1,000m depth. Like the U15, it has a crown at 4 o’clock, low pressure resistance and has a date window at 3 o’clock. As you can see, the date window is a little inward as a result of the larger diameter of the case.
All practical information is hidden behind the closed case on the Sellita SW200-1. This automatic movement runs at 28,800VPH, has 26 gems and offers a 38-hour power reserve. Just like the U15, the blue dial on this watch features bright white markers and the typical sindiver hands illuminated in the dark.
The watch is also equipped with a stainless steel H-link bracelet, but at 22mm it is wider than the 20mm bracelet on the U15. Overall, this watch is the larger, slightly heavier brother of the U15.
Shin U18
The final of the three models is the U18, the most capable diving watch in the trio. The watch was made of stainless steel from a U18 submarine and was commissioned in 1973, travelling 192,842 voyage miles in 38. The Sinn U18 is based on the brand’s U2 divers.
The watch also has a 44mm case, but is 15.5mm thick and has a 0.8mm chunky over the U16. The satin-finished steel case also boasts an impressive 2,000m depth rating. Additionally, it features the same dial style as the other two models and a similar 60-minute dive bezel.
Inside the case, Shin equips the watch with a Sellita SW300-1. So it gets the same automatic movement that runs at 4Hz and offers a 56-hour power reserve.
This watch differs from the other two models in that it features Sinn’s AR demembraning technology. This increases functional reliability and prevents fog. Finally, the case matches the 22mm H-link bracelet that balances the wrist watch.
Final Thoughts on Sinn U15, U16 and U18
Each of these three 20th Anniversary Thin Dive Watches is produced with a limited run of 1,000 units. The prices for the U15 and U16 are the same. The U18 is a bigger brother, so it’s slightly more expensive at 3,230 euros. I love how Shin decided that the prices of these watches were in line with the regular model. Still, you get a watch that tells a unique story in return.
The U15 propeller in front of Shin Headquarters
These watches stylishly celebrate the 20th anniversary of Singh, who produced a diving watch made from German submarine steel. However, the fact that the steel used to create them actually moved across the world’s oceans is rather surprising. This makes these watches interesting to great storytellers and fans and collectors. But they are more than that. They are testament to Singh’s constant efforts to create better, more capable watches.
New Thin T50 Gold Bronze B
More evidence that Shin pushes boundaries comes in the form of T50 gold bronze B. The second full gold bronze model of the brand after the first T50 gold bronze. It sold out almost instantly in 2023. The T50 is my favorite thin watch in my current collection, so I’m very happy to be able to see the new version. The two-tone T50 GDBR is my undisputed favorite version, but this new T50 Goldbronze B is also fantastic.
The watch has a 41mm A gold bronze case with a thickness of 12.3mm and a water resistance rating of 500m. Goldbronze 125 is a special patented alloy from Sinn with improved resistance to corrosion from seawater. It is also gentle on almost all skin types. Finally, as Lex explained in his first review of Goldbronze models, it is aging to develop patina.
The case and new dark blue dial create a beautiful, chic version of the T50. Hidden behind the titanium case is the Sellita SW300-1. As mentioned above in the description of the U15 and U18, this automatic movement operates at 28,800VPH and offers a 56-hour power reserve. Finally, the T50 Gold Bronze B comes with a blue woven strap that matches the color of the dial.
Final Thoughts on the New Thin T50 Gold Bronze b
Singh will produce 300 of this limited edition, each for 4,980 euros. This is the same price as the first T50 Goldbronze model announced two years ago. That first model was a surprising surprise, but this new blue version blows it out of the water. I love the combination of materials and colors. It will definitely be a watch that will sell out on the Flash. The new T50 Goldbronze B is evidence that Sinn is extremely difficult to beat when it comes to producing dive watches with amazing capabilities. Of course, this is not news for us, but it’s great to get more confirmation with these new introductions.
What do you think about Shin’s latest release? As always, we recommend sharing your thoughts in the comments.
