SINN 656 | SINN 656 S - presentation
Sinn 656 | variants 2008-2009
In the “entry” price range SINN presents three models – 556, 656 and 657, the last two also in “S – schwarz/black” variant.
These are not only the “cheapest” Sinn watches but also models that are on the lists of favorite acquisitions of the passionate, due to their simple, attractive and robust design.
The 656 model was released by Sinn in (probable) 2002 with the “reference no.” – 656.010 for the steel variant. The main novelty brought was represented by the design of the dial, inspired by an older model of an aircraft clock – a supposed variant of the Sinn | NaBo 10 model presented next. There are some reserves about the inspirational source of the dial, the subject of aircraft clocks produced by Sinn is not yet fully known.
The sure thing is that together with other already consecrated aircraft clocks manufacturers after WW2, Sinn had models that could represent a starting point.
As desired and accomplished, a wrist watch was made, whose dial legibility would be equivalent to the requests of an aircraft board instrument. Black dial, “sward” type indicators covered with luminescent dye keeping their central part black for a better accentuation, enlarged white indices for hours and the figures 3, 6, 9 and 12 Arabic, white and enlarged are the characteristics of this perfect legible dial.
Depending on the user, there are different opinions about the “luminosity” of the dial during night time. At the more recent models (after 2007) one can notice an improvement of this aspect.
Another element considered for the dial was the luscious minimization with different markings. The Sinn logo under 12:00, white and perfectly integrated, the “antimagnetic” symbol characteristic to Sinn watches that are protected until 1.000 Gauss, so that it doesn’t “disturb” the black and the date, although in a smaller size than regular, perfectly “readable”. The date positioning at 04:30 is another element that harmonizes with the rest of the dial.
The design of the 656 dial makes a perfect contrast between the indicators, indices and figures on the “non-reflective” black background.
The releasing in 2003 was made only in the variant of steel case with “pearl-polished” sanding finishing. The case is made by the Sinn – S.U.G. (Sachsische Uhrentechnologie GMBH Glashutte/Sa) partner, a company that had Lothar Schmidt among its shareholders (74%). Since 2005 the range was completed also with the “schwarz/black” variant, obtained through “black chroming” technology. For both variants, at the launching moments, steel bracelets and the variant with black leather with white sewing existed. Only in 2008 the black rubber band variant was added, with the Sinn logo embossed, variant borrowed from the dedicated “diver” models.
Although is far from a diver, from the beginning, the solution for the crown was the screwing, that offered to the 656 model the possibility of using under water considering the conditions 100m (10 bar) with regard to the DIN 8310 specifications. All of these especially for a watch that rather prefers to perform “in air”, at “un-pressurized” heights! The back lid is screwed and the crystal is sapphire, flat.
As for the movement, a proven solution was chosen – ETA 2824-2, automatic, 25 rubies, 28.800 A/h, very well known, robust and with an easy maintenance anywhere. In 2007 Sinn announced that for all the movements used in its watches, it uses ETA “top grade” movements, the announcement provoking numerous discussions on the passionate forums to whom it was not clear if the announcement represented a “passing” from standard to top or only the specification of a continuity.
The packaging mode specifies attention! A quality black cardboard box, inside which is the box for presentation, made of leather. In the box, next to the watch, an exhaustive presentation CD for all Sinn models and minimal instructions for the acquired watch can be found. Also, an international warranty card!
For the initial acquisition variant, with leather band and ulterior, for the metallic bracelet, Sinn comes with a generous presentation box where can be found beside the bracelet, telescopes for changing, watch’s “connections”, a tube with a solution for blocking the screws and a screw-accessory for changing the bands (see image).
Initially released (2002-2003) at the list price of 500,- euro, after only one year (2004) it was increased to 590,- euro. The price for the basic model (leather band) has evolved between 2003-2009 from 500,- euro to 650,- euro and for the “black” model, form 625,- to 770,- euro.
info prices 2008 catalog
In conclusion, at the level of 2009, the Sinn 656 model is presented with the following specification:
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model: Sinn 656 (ref. no. 656.010), Sinn 656 S (ref. no. 656.020)
movement: automatic ETA 2824-2, top grade
case: SUG production, sanding finishing, “pearl-polished” and for 656 S “black chroming”
crystal: sapphire crystal glass anti-reflective coating on the both sides
case lid: screwed
crown: screwed
waterproofing: 100m = 10 bar (first variants), 200m = 20 bar (from 2009)
anti-magnetic protection for 80.000 A/m = 1.000 Gauss
band variants: leather, metallic bracelets (+ black), rubber
weight: 80 grams (leather band variant), 131 grams (metallic bracelet)
dimensions: see the presented image
price (2009): 650,- euro (ref. 656 leather band variant); 770,- euro (ref. 656 metallic bracelet variant)
waranty: 2 years since the selling month
operating manual: link - 656 model | link - 656S model
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Maintaining a tradition by answering to different requests arrived form its passionate, for the 656 model, Sinn GmbH made a number of 5 (five) limited editions.
A list and a few images (probable incomplete of these editions) next:
- Sinn 656 Caterham;
- Sinn 656 KLM;
- Sinn 656 “Big Logo";
- Sinn 656 AMG (a model that was recently sold at the “absurd” price of 7.000 USD);
- Sinn 656 Mazda MX-5.
(images in the left column)
References:
- www.sinn.de | Sinn presentation webpage
- http://www.sinn-uhren.info/ | the most complete website for the Sinn models evolution
- Sinn 656 review | by H. Mennink
- Sinn catalogues (below the 656 description from the 2008-2009 catalog):
Brasov - June, 2009
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