Description
Sinn U16
Model: 1026.010
Maritime history on your wrist – After 200,045 nautical miles, reborn as a watch.
• Limited to 1,000 pieces
• Case made of high-strength, seawater-resistant satinised German German German German submarine steel from the decommissioned U 16 submarine
• Bezel with TEGIMENT Technology for enhanced scratch resistance
• Captive diver’s bezel with minute ratcheting
• Tested according to European diving equipment standards and certified by an independent institute
• Water- and pressure-resistant to 1,000 m diving depth (= 100 bar), certified by an independent institute
• Crown at 4 o’clock to prevent pressure on the back of the hand
• Sapphire crystal
• Low pressure resistant
207,000 nautical miles in 38 years – a proud legacy
Commissioned in 1973, submarine U 16 logged an impressive 207,000 nautical miles, a figure meticulously documented by a former crew member. This achievement, roughly equivalent to ten journeys around the globe, laid the groundwork for a singular creation. Following decommissioning, Sinn Spezialuhren sourced steel from the submarine’s outer hull to craft this limited-edition diving watch. With only 1,000 pieces produced, the watch case is forged from the same high-strength, seawater-resistant steel, making the U16 not only its namesake but also a tangible connection to an era of storied naval history.
Anniversary: 20 years of diving watches made of German German German German submarine steel
For two decades, Sinn Spezialuhren has relied on German German German German submarine steel—developed by ThyssenKrupp for outer hulls of the Type 206 and the latest non-nuclear Type 212 submarines—to underpin its U series. Supplied as a semi-finished product with precise dimensions and properties, the steel remains free of any signs of use, ensuring every watch upholds the brand’s rigorous standards.
Maritime History on Your Wrist
The steel used in the U16 bears decades of naval service, a characteristic that adds unique value to the timepiece. Expertly finished by the Saxony-based Sächsische Uhrentechnologie GmbH Glashütte (SUG), the watch retains its authentic identity while meeting strict quality criteria. A standout feature is the inclusion of an engraved steel blank from the original U 16 submarine, serving as a lasting memento of its illustrious past.
All Eyes on the High-Gloss Dial
The U16’s anti-reflective sapphire crystal ensures superb clarity and an unobstructed view of the high-gloss dial. The dial’s dark bluish-green hue mirrors the vastness of the ocean at depths of around thirty metres—an homage to the U 16 submarine’s operating range. Delicate stylised air bubbles add a three-dimensional effect with metallic blues and greens, while the dial also displays the total nautical miles and the model’s designation. The case back, adorned with the silhouette of the Type 206 submarine, reinforces the watch’s enduring connection to naval history. Certified to meet European diving equipment standards, the U16 is as reliable as it is historically significant.
Note about the dial: the unique dial finish on the limited edition U ‘bubble’ series is designed to take on different tones to reflective its environment. The attractive, flat polished, blue-green backdrop fades from dark to light as you move your eye from 6 to 12 o’clock where relief printed, gloss bubbles appear to lift from the dial to resemble the air release of a submarine as it submerges into the depths. Capturing the interplay of air, light, and water in one image is near on impossible however, the image selection gives you an idea of the character this piece delivers, ranging from subtle depths to resplendent colour
Technical Details
Mechanical Movement
• Model: SW200-1
• Self-winding mechanism
• 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour
• 26 bearing jewels
• Seconds stop function
• Anti-magnetic as per DIN 8309
Case
• Constructed from satinised German German German German submarine steel from the decommissioned submarine U 16
• Diver’s bezel made of satinised/polished German German German German submarine steel
• Sapphire crystal glass in front, with anti-reflective coating on both sides
• Screw-fastened case back
• Screwable crown
• Complies with DIN 8310 water resistance standards
• Water- and pressure-resistant to 1,000 m diving depth (= 100 bar), certified by an independent institute
• Conforms to German diving norm DIN 8306 and tested under European standards EN 250/EN 14143
• Low pressure resistant
Functions
• Hours, minutes, seconds
• Date display
• Diver’s bezel with minute ratcheting and luminous key mark
• SINN Technologies:
– Bezel with TEGIMENT Technology for superior scratch resistance
– Captive bezel
Dimensions and Weight
• Case diameter: 44.0 mm
• Band lug width: 22 mm
• Case thickness: 14.7 mm
• Weight without strap: 113 grams
Dial and Hands
• Dial color: blue-green
• Indices coated with luminescent color
• Hour, minute, and second hands coated with luminescent color
