Typically known for making utilitarian, military-inspired watches, Sinn breaks away from its trademark aesthetic with the U50 S Mother-of-Pearl S, adding a touch of luxe to the smaller sibling of its best-selling U1 dive watch.

Initial thoughts

Billed as a unisex version of the U1, the U50 has a 41 mm diameter. Though not a small watch in itself, it is substantially smaller than the full-sized, 44 mm U1. With the U50 S Mother-of-Pearl S, it is clear that Sinn is trying to appeal to female buyers – a segment that the brand, with its usually large “tool” watches must have had difficulty wooing.

I find the unusual combination of the blacked-out case and mother-of-pearl dial to work well. The all-black aesthetic is stealthy, the very sort of look right at home on a no-nonsense tool watch. In contrast, the mother-of-pearl dial is striking, with an iridescence is highly attractive and appealing to females looking for sports watch that has a little bit more sparkle. The paradoxical combination gives the new U50 an intriguing look, which I must confess to liking this much more than the regular U50 S.

Starting at €2,750 on a rubber strap, the U50 S Mother-of-Pearl S is just a tad pricier than the regular U50 S. Given that it is also limited to just 500 pieces, it’s good value for those looking for a more stylish Sinn dive watch.

Pretty but robust

Despite the shimmering mother-of-pearl dial, the U50 S Mother-of-Pearl S remains robustly built, as most Sinn watches are. It is very much a serious dive watch, tested according to European diving equipment standards (EN250 and EN14143) for a depth rating of 5oo m that is also certified by marine and industrial certification body DNV GL.

The case is made of the same alloy used for the German navy’s submarines. Compared to ordinary steel, submariner steel has increased anti-magnetic and corrosion-resistant qualities, while also being stronger and denser.

In addition, the case and bezel are further enhanced with Tegiment treatment, which is a surface hardening process that greatly increases its scratch resistance. The case and bezel are further coated with a black ceramic coating, boosting the scratch resistance even further.

Beneath the hood is the automatic Sellita SW300-1, assentially a clone of the workhorse ETA 2892. It has a satisfactory power reserve of 42 hours, and hacking seconds.

The watch is available either on a rubber strap – in a variety of colours – or a bracelet coated black to match the case. Buyers looking for a more masculine look – like me – should prefer the bracelet option, while those with flashier tastes would find the red rubber strap option right up their alley.

Key facts and price

Sinn U50 S Mother-of-Pearl S
Ref. 1050.0201

Diameter: 41 mm
Height: 11.25 mm
Material: Submarine steel
Water resistance: 500 m

Movement: SW300-1
Functions: Hours, minutes, and date
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 28,800 beats per hour (4 Hz)
Power reserve: 42 hours

Strap: Bracelet or silicon strap

Limited edition: 500 pieces
Availability: At Sinn retailers
Price:
€2,750 on silicon strap
€2,840 on steel bracelet

Prices include national taxes

For more, visit Sinn.de.