« 2022 Models Compared »
Elegance, clarity, and no-nonsense functionality: if you're looking for a purpose-built chronograph without frills, the Sinn 358 collection gets you there, along with top-tier German engineering. But which model comes out ahead in 2022? We compare the limited 358 C special edition with the classic pilot's version, uncover the differences between these technical pioneers, and show the range of models the 358 line still has in store, from a blue beauty to an exotic decorative finish.
A Classic Chronograph in a Larger Format
Since the Frankfurt company's earliest days, instrument chronographs have been at the heart of the Sinn watch manufacture. Practical, reliable timing combined with durable, timelessly designed construction are their great strengths. In 1998, the specialist watchmaker launched one of the most important collections of its modern era: the 356 line. Defined by a very clean look that many consider slightly sporty, it packs every trait a die-hard Sinn enthusiast expects from the Hessian powerhouse into a superb 38.5-millimeter case: 100 meters of water resistance, perfect legibility, and a robust SW 500 chronograph movement.
Building on the success of the 356 line, and on the fact that 38.5 millimeters is a size too small for many wearers, Sinn developed the 358 collection. Closely modeled on the 356 in both looks and technology, it carries the strengths of the compact chronograph over into a noticeably larger 42-millimeter format. At these dimensions, the Sinn is by no means oversized, but its presence is considerable, and details such as the strikingly domed crystal and the relatively wide stainless steel bezel amplify it further.
Sinn 358 C: Limited Edition in Dark Green
The 358 enters the 2022 model year with a particularly exciting addition: the 358 C special edition. The "C" in its name stands for "Chronos" and refers to the collaboration with the watch magazine of the same name from the Ebner Media Group, which produced this strictly limited masterpiece.
[box type="info" align="" class="" width=""]Only 100 pieces will be made, and they stand out from the crowd primarily thanks to their satin-matte dial in dark olive green.[/box]The chronograph functions are arranged in an attractive V-shaped tri-compax layout that sets the 30-minute counter (3 o'clock), 12-hour counter (6 o'clock), and small seconds (9 o'clock) apart from the background in glossy galvanic black. The white Arabic numerals and the generously lumed hour and minute hands also contrast sharply with the dial, so despite its exotic appeal, the 358 C is just as legible as you'd expect from a true Sinn. An additional highlight is the dark green boar leather strap, which forms a perfect symbiosis with the dial color.
358 Sa Flieger: Top Performance in a Functional Look
If you'd rather skip the trendy green and prefer a textbook black chronograph classic, the Sinn 358 Sa Flieger is the one to order. It follows the "conventional" design of the 358 portfolio, but unlike the Chronos version it is not limited, and its dial offers the highest possible contrast: white print on a black background. The tri-compax layout also differs from the special model, with a 30-second counter at the top center, a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock, and the small seconds unchanged at 9 o'clock. This frees up the 3 o'clock position for a day-date complication, giving the Sinn 358 Sa Flieger greater functionality than the C special edition. In return, the limited edition, by doing without the additional displays, scores with a cleaner and, above all, symmetrical dial design that comes across as more harmonious than the busier pilot's model. So in 2022 the question is whether green refinement or black tradition ends up on your wrist. Like the Sinn 358 C, the Flieger version comes on a strap that complements the dial superbly. If you prefer a solid steel bracelet or a soft silicone strap instead of black leather, the choice is yours.
Comparison: A Matter of Preference
While the dial clearly distinguishes the Chronos special edition from the black Sa Flieger 2022, the technical specs of the two sister models are extremely similar. The Flieger uses the proven Sellita caliber SW 510, while the 358 C is equipped with an SW 500. Both movements can be admired through a sapphire crystal caseback, beat at four hertz, and are antimagnetic in accordance with DIN 8309. The brushed stainless steel case shows no differences either: water-resistant to 100 meters, it features a strikingly domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides and a screw-down crown with crown guard. The weight of 86 grams, the generous lug width of 22 millimeters, and the overall height of 15 millimeters, typical for a chronograph, are likewise identical.
In addition, both instrument chronographs feature Sinn's proprietary Ar-Dehumidifying Technology, which keeps the movement in an almost completely dry atmosphere and thus slows the aging of the oils. This is achieved with three elements: an elaborate protective gas filling, a drying capsule, and special EDR seals. As a result, aging processes are reduced, the crystal is prevented from fogging up during cold shocks, and longer functional reliability and consistent accuracy are ensured.
Radiant Blue or Gray Decorative Finish? More Sa Flieger Models for 2022
Because the technology is so similar, choosing between the Sinn 358 C and the black Flieger is primarily a matter of aesthetic preference. If you want maximum functionality and a classic look, go for the Flieger. If you want to combine the appeal of a limited edition with an exotic color scheme, consider the Chronos version. However, these two references don't exhaust the collection's lineup for the 2022 model year. Special mention goes to the 358 Sa FLIEGER B E, which sets itself apart from the black Flieger with a spectacular dark blue sunburst dial and ivory-colored luminous indices, while being technically identical to the classic. The Sinn 358 Sa FLIEGER DS also differs from the regular Flieger "only" in its dial, where a hand-applied decorative finish creates a grayish aesthetic that lets the base material shine through in places.
The fifth and final member of the current Sinn 358 collection is the DIAPAL, the most technically advanced model in the family. Unlike the 358 Sa Flieger, it has a date-only complication instead of the day-date window, but beneath its anthracite dial with black totalizers it conceals (as the only model in the series) Sinn's proprietary DIAPAL technology, which pursues the goal of the Ar-Dehumidifying Technology it also features even further by using special lubricant-free material pairings. The result: improved long-term accuracy and greater reliability.
