Sinn’s experimentation with case materials has culminated in the 1800 TITANDAMASZENER, an exceptionally unique watch built around the principles of simplicity and reliability.
If you recall the article I wrote covering A. Lange & Söhne’s Lange 1 30th Anniversary, you may remember that I included this whole preamble about how exceptional German manufacturing is. However, Lange is only half the story, and there are always two sides to a coin.
For every A. Lange & Söhne that comes out of Germany, there is also a Sinn: Founded by Helmut Sinn in 1961, the titular brand evolved with one very German goal in mind: Efficiency. All Sinn watches, even to this day, are all created to be tools. The brand glorifies precision and robustness above all manner of superfluous things like flashiness or complexity.
However, they aren’t above flexing their design capabilities every once in a while. Not that they go over the top, but the Frankfurt-based brand is capable of creating dazzling timepieces – with the signature Sinn simplicity, of course. The Sinn 1800 S DAMASZENER, released almost ten years ago in 2015, as an example of just that.
Damascus steel is a commodity not often explored in the watch industry, so for Sinn – a company often set in their ways – to get adventurous like this was very much unheard of, Especially since they were among one of the first mainstream brands to embrace the illustrious material. Thus, it would seem natural for Sinn to continue working in the field, seeing exactly how far they could push their craftsmanship and engineering capabilities.
In 2024, the Sinn 1800 TITANDAMASZENER is the result of Sinn’s many experiments, combining state-of-the-art technology and the traditional watchmaking methods that put them on the map in the first place. For those of you that can speak German, you may already know why this piece is so special, but bear with me as I go through the specifics.
Standing 43mm in diameter, with a 51mm lug-to-lug, and 10.4mm thickness, the Sinn 1800 TITANDAMASZENER is by no means a small watch. If you’re like me and have small wrists, I would recommend you avoid this one. However, the aesthetics of the watch are hard to ignore. The grey and glossy blue provides a healthy amount of contrast for both legibility’s sake.
It’ll be hard to miss those shining blue indexes and hands anywhere, and of course the boar leather strap is colour/accent-matched to boot. The Sellita SW300-1 movement serves as the ‘old reliable’ beating heart of the watch, and brings with it a 4Hz (28,800VpH) beat rate backed by a 38h power reserve. You won’t be grading this one for finishing, though, as it’s hidden behind the solid case back, giving the 1800 TITANDAMASZENER a respectable 100m water resistance for all occasions.
Okay, I’ve danced around talking about the main feature for long enough. As the name probably suggests, the Sinn 1800 TITANDAMASZENER is similar in nature to the original 1800 S DAMASZENER. Instead of Damascus steel, however, the new timepiece is constructed entirely out of Damascus titanium.
If you’re unfamiliar with Damascus steel, the basic gist of it is that several thin sheets of steel are layered on top of one another, heated to red-hot, folded, cut, and folded again – similar to how you’d make puff pastry or potato pavé, but with metal. The result is a stunning block of steel, with swirls and patterns inside it similar to that of carbon fiber.
The Sinn 1800 TITANDAMASZENER has been created in the same manner, using sheets of Grade 2 and 5 titanium – but as titanium has a melting point 200𝇈C higher than steel, this never-before-seen feat of horological engineering requires unfettered access to the world’s best technology and craftsmen.
Between Sinn and Weilmünster-based Damascus specialists BALBACHDAMAST, they have both. Their combined efforts have not only resulted in an absolutely gorgeous, tough, and light watch, but have also been combined with Sinn’s signature TEGIMENT technology – a metal hardening process often only reserved for either the toughest of Sinn timepieces, or for building submarines.
My Thoughts
Sinn has always remained the definition of ‘sleeper build’ in the watch industry. Like Lange, they don’t bother to talk about how amazing they are, but instead let their watches do the talking. Generally speaking, Sinn watches aren’t often much to look at, but when you need a reliable time-teller in a pinch, you’ll be thankful you bought German.
However, one sore spot for most people will be the price. I’ve already seen a myriad of negative comments online about the AU$15,500 price tag for what is ostensibly a Sellita watch. I find myself agreeing – it certainly isn’t pocket change. But for those who have a major affinity for what Sinn do (of which there are plenty), this marks one hell of a departure from their traditional aesthetic and worthy of a pick-up. That is, if you’re one of the lucky 100 that can get one.
In any case, the new Sinn 1800 TITANDAMASZENER isn’t what I would call the exact opposite of everything they stood for. At the end of the day, it’s still a simple three-hander watch, a design they know all too well. But through the use of Damascus titanium and TEGIMENT technology, they have demonstrated once again why they are the best at what they do. When the going gets tough, the tough get going. The toughest of all, though, are made in Frankfurt.
Reference: 1800.060
Specifications:
- Dimensions: 43mm case diameter x 51mm lug-to-lug x 10.4mm thickness
- Case Material: Damascus titanium with Sinn TEGIMENT technology
- Dial: Damascus titanium with blue accents
- Movement: Automatic Sellita SW300-1
- Power Reserve: 38h
- Water Resistance: 100m (10bar)
- Strap: Grey nubuck boar/black cowhide leather strap with Damascus titanium buckle
