New
Timekeepers Club / February 21, 2025

Sinn U15, U16, U18

Is there anything more fascinating than wearing a piece of German submarine history on your wrist? The U15, U16 and U18 diving watches embody much more than timekeeping – they are testimonies to a key chapter in the history of the German Navy. Made of steel from the like-named U 15, U 16 and U 18 type 206 submarines, they are steeped in history and are guaranteed to delight naval enthusiasts and watch connoisseurs alike.

True legends

These underwater vessels are much more than steel giants. They are veritable legends, shaped by the challenges of nearly forty years of continuous service to Germany – longer than any other type of submarine. Their mission? To protect the Baltic Sea and its access routes. Each submarine churned through hundreds and thousands of nautical miles both above and below the water. Now decommissioned, they become the very essence of these three unique diving watches: the steel for the cases. At the same time, they give the watches their name, presenting a pure source of material and truly indelible link to an unforgotten era in the history of German submarines. After all, each of the watch models is made of steel from their eponymous submarines.

U15: 200,045 nautical miles in 36 years – a proud legacy

Commissioned in 1974, submarine U 15 achieved an impressive record: 200,045 nautical miles, meticulously documented by a former crew member. This astonishing figure equals about ten journeys around the globe! After its decommissioning, Sinn Spezialuhren acquired material from the submarine’s outer hull, using it to craft the heart of a unique, limited-edition diving watch. Limited to 1,000 pieces, the watch case is made from high-strength, seawater-resistant steel sourced directly from the U 15 submarine. This makes the submarine not only the namesake of Model U15 but also an exclusive material source—and a timeless link to an unforgettable era in German submarine history.

U16: 207,000 nautical miles in 38 years – a proud legacy

Commissioned in 1973, submarine U 16 achieved an impressive record: 207,000 nautical miles, meticulously documented by a former crew member. This astonishing figure equals about ten journeys around the globe! After its decommissioning, Sinn Spezialuhren acquired material from the submarine’s outer hull, using it to craft the heart of a unique, limited-edition diving watch. Limited to 1,000 pieces, the watch case is made from high-strength, seawater-resistant steel sourced directly from the U 16 submarine.

U18: 192,842 nautical miles in 38 years – a proud legacy

Commissioned in 1973, submarine U 18 achieved an impressive record: 192,842 nautical miles, meticulously documented by a former crew member. Limited to 1,000 pieces, the watch case is made from high-strength, seawater-resistant steel sourced directly from the U 18 submarine.

Anniversary: 20 years of diving watches made of submarine steel

Sinn Spezialuhren has a special, long-standing relationship with submarines. The company has been using submarine steel for its diving watches for two decades - convinced by its exceptional performance. The special grade of steel developed by ThyssenKrupp for the outer hulls of the Type 206 submarine and the world’s latest non-nuclear Type 212 submarines has formed the basis of all of our U series since 2005. It is supplied as a semi-finished product with the required dimensions and structural properties and is therefore free of any signs of use.

Maritime history on your wrist

The steel of U15, U16 and U18 models sets itself apart in one key aspect: this base material had previously clocked up decades of naval use, and that’s what makes it so special! The professional, meticulously intricate finishing by the Saxony-based watchmaking technology company Sächsische Uhrentechnologie GmbH Glashütte (SUG) ensures that it meets our stringent requirements without losing its true identity. The result? A diving watch forged from history, bringing the very soul of naval history to the wrist. Adding to this experience is an engraved steel blank from the original submarine, included with the watch.

All eyes on the high-gloss dial

The U18´s anti-reflective sapphire crystal guarantees exceptional clarity and provides an optimal view of the high-gloss dial, which echoes the mesmerising blue nuances of the ocean.

The dark bluish green base tone portrays the esoteric expanse of the open sea from a depth of around thirty metres, alluding to the operating range of the U 18 submarine, which was able to dive to depths of up to 100 metres. Stylised air bubbles that symbolise the rising air bubbles underscore the three-dimensional effect with metallic blues and greens. This variance brings a unique touch to the dial and catches the eye with an intriguing stereoscopic effect. As a historical memoir of the power of submarines, the dial features the number of nautical miles travelled and the U 18´s type designation. The case back is adorned with a matching silhouette of the Type 206 submarine. The U18 has been tested according to European diving equipment standards and certified by an independent institute, ensuring its durability and reliability.

Technical specifications


Sinn U15

Limited edition of 1,000 pieces

Case

  • Material: German Submarine Steel from the decommissioned submarine U 15, satinized
  • Diver's bezel made of German Submarine Steel from the decommissioned submarine U 15, satinized/ polished
  • Diameter: 41 mm
  • Thickness: 11.2 mm
  • Weight without strap: 74 gramme
  • Glass: Sapphire crystal in front, anti-reflective on both sides
  • Case back screw-fastened
  • Crown screwable
  • Water-resistant to 500 meters

Dial and hands

  • Dial blue-green
  • Indices coated with luminescent colour
  • Hour, minute and second hand coated with luminescent colour

Movement

  • Calibre SW300-1
  • Self-winding mechanism
  • 25 bearing jewels
  • 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour
  • Seconds stop function
  • Anti-magnetic as per DIN 8309

Functions/Indications

  • Hours, minutes, seconds
  • Date display
  • Diver’s bezel with minute ratcheting and luminous key mark

Strap and buckle

  • German Submarine Steel bracelet
  • Lug width: 20 mm

MSRP: EUR 2'990

Technical specifications


Sinn U16

Limited edition of 1,000 pieces

Case

  • Material: German Submarine Steel from the decommissioned submarine U 16, satinized
  • Diver's bezel made of German Submarine Steel from the decommissioned submarine U 16, satinized/ polished
  • Diameter: 44 mm
  • Thickness: 14.7 mm
  • Weight without strap: 113 gramme
  • Glass: Sapphire crystal in front, anti-reflective on both sides
  • Case back screw-fastened
  • Crown screwable
  • Water-resistant to 1000 meters

Dial and hands

  • Dial blue-green
  • Indices coated with luminescent colour
  • Hour, minute and second hand coated with luminescent colour

Movement

  • Calibre SW300-1
  • Self-winding mechanism
  • 25 bearing jewels
  • 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour
  • Seconds stop function
  • Anti-magnetic as per DIN 8309

Functions/Indications

  • Hours, minutes, seconds
  • Date display
  • Diver’s bezel with minute ratcheting and luminous key mark

Strap and buckle

  • German Submarine Steel bracelet
  • Lug width: 22 mm

MSRP: EUR 2'990

Technical specifications


Sinn U18

Limited edition of 1,000 pieces

Case

  • Material: German Submarine Steel from the decommissioned submarine U 16, satinized
  • Diver's bezel made of German Submarine Steel from the decommissioned submarine U 16, satinized/ polished
  • Diameter: 44 mm
  • Thickness: 15.5 mm
  • Weight without strap: 114 gramme
  • Glass: Sapphire crystal in front, anti-reflective on both sides
  • Case back screw-fastened
  • Crown screwable
  • Water-resistant to 1000 meters

Dial and hands

  • Dial blue-green
  • Indices coated with luminescent colour
  • Hour, minute and second hand coated with luminescent colour

Movement

  • Calibre SW300-1
  • Self-winding mechanism
  • 25 bearing jewels
  • 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour
  • Seconds stop function
  • Anti-magnetic as per DIN 8309

Functions/Indications

  • Hours, minutes, seconds
  • Date display
  • Diver’s bezel with minute ratcheting and luminous key mark

Strap and buckle

  • German Submarine Steel bracelet
  • Lug width: 22 mm

MSRP: EUR 3'230

For more information, please visit sinn.de

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