Fondly regarded for its near indestructibility and affordable pricing, the Sinn U1 is the German brand’s signature dive watch. The latest variant of the U1 is the U1-D, a limited edition in grey and khaki with a scratch-resistant Tegiment case.

Matte grey with khaki accents on the hands and bezel, the dial is highly legible even though the hands and markers are black. That only holds true during the day, as it is not luminescent at night.

The grey and khaki colours are attractive and an interesting variation on the faux patina fashionable now. However, the desert warfare theme of the watch – the “D” in the name stands for “Dune” – is at odds with it being a diver’s watch.

Technically the U1-D is identical to the standard model, with the same 44 mm case boasting water resistance to 1000 m, as well as a case and bezel made of the same steel alloy used for submarine hulls. Sinn treats the submarine steel with its proprietary Tegiment process, hardening the upper layer of the metal, making it scratch resistant.

While the typical U1 case has a conventional dark grey steel tone, this has a black hard coating that further improves the wear resistance of the case. Because the steel below has been hardened, the black coating is several times durable than in regular coated timepieces.

Additionally, the movement has been lubricated with Sinn’s proprietary lubricants that remain functional at extreme ends of the temperature scale, allowing the movement to keep good time between – 45 °C and + 80 °C.

The U1-D on the optional rubber strap

Inside is the SW-200 automatic movement, the Sellita clone of the ETA 2824.

The U1-D is supplied on two straps, a brown calf leather and a camouflage pattern Zulu strap. Available as an option at extra cost is the rubber strap found on the regular U1.

The Sinn U1-D is priced at 4800 Singapore dollars, equivalent to US$3840. It is available only from The Hour Glass.