« A Closer Look at the Frankfurt Financial Center Chronograph »
As functional as ever, more elegant than the rest: Since their launch in 1999, the Frankfurt Financial Center watches have stood apart from the instrument-style Sinn watches from the metropolis on the Main. For the line's 15th anniversary in 2014, Sinn introduced the 6099 series, carrying the winning formula of the 6000 chronograph forward in larger dimensions. To this day, the collection remains an insider's tip for anyone who wants to combine the appeal of a dress watch with maximum practicality.
Three Millimeters That Make a World of Difference
Solid engineering over aesthetic beauty: When Helmut Sinn began producing instrument wristwatches in 1961, the pilot and aerobatics instructor set a clear focus. His rugged models weren't meant to seduce the eye but to serve reliably in the field. Then, shortly before the turn of the millennium, came a leap into the unknown: With the 6000 Financial Center chronograph, the Frankfurt brand presented, for the first time, a timepiece that won over design lovers as well.
Measuring just 38.5 millimeters and therefore pleasantly compact, the gamble went on to become a bestseller over the following years and spawned a whole range of refined sister models – from the minimalist 6068 to the innovative 6052 with calendar week display.
One of these relatives is the Sinn Financial Center watch 6099. At first glance, you might think it's an exact copy of the original 6000: the dial layout, the black sunburst finish, even the decorated rotor – nothing seems to separate the two chronographs. But on the wrist at the latest, the decisive difference becomes apparent: the larger 41.5-millimeter diameter. Three millimeters more – what seems minor at first lifts the presence of the 6099 to a noticeably different level (in size, too) compared with the 6000.
Around the World with Three Time Zones
Fitting its more muscular look, the Frankfurt Financial Center chronograph also features broader dial markers than its slimmer predecessor. Speaking of the dial: its legibility and ease of use remain brilliant. The 6099 manages to display three time zones on a 12-hour basis without any confusion.
How does it work? Around the outer edge, the chronograph has a rotating hour ring operated via an additional crown at the 10 o'clock position. Combine this display with the main hour hand and the GMT hand, and you can read three times at a glance.
Equally well executed is the integration of the three subdials and the date display between 4 and 5 o'clock – despite its range of functions, the Sinn 6099 never gives the impression of a cluttered dial. Aesthetically, the 6099 shares two hallmarks with its sister models: both the strong black-and-white contrast and the sheen of its galvanized surface give the chronograph an exclusive, distinctive character.
The high-quality impression carries over to the stainless steel case, which is water-resistant to 100 meters thanks to its special D3 system.
D3 stands for "direkt doppelt dichtend" (direct double sealing) and describes a Frankfurt innovation in which the pusher pins and crown stems are inserted into the case through a precisely machined bore. This eliminates the need for the sealing sleeve used in conventional designs, which carries a certain residual risk of liquid getting in.
A Financial Center Chronograph with Love for Its Hometown
Admittedly, the 6099 is still a long way from the 1,000-meter water resistance of a Sinn U1 or the ruggedness of the 140 space chronograph. That distance is intentional – after all, the Frankfurt Financial Center chronograph wasn't created to explore the limits of what's technically possible.
You wear a Sinn 6099 as a private individual, as a lover of elegant forms and personal statements. And, of course, as a Frankfurter. Nowhere else will you come across this refined collection more often than in the office towers of its Hessian home. Here, in the metropolis on the Main itself, the local watch brand enjoys unrivaled respect and cult status at the same time. It's a hometown connection engraved on the back of the 6099 – more precisely, on the rotor of the automatic chronograph: rendered in gold, it depicts Frankfurt's skyline with its most famous buildings. Look closely and you'll recognize the Messeturm and the Alte Oper as well as the Römer and the European Central Bank.
The artful design is matched by proven mechanics: the Sinn Financial Center watch 6099 is powered by a modified version of the Sellita SW 500, a robust Swiss automatic movement with a power reserve of around 48 hours. Antimagnetic to DIN 8309, it beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour and, thanks to its gold-toned components, is visually appealing as well.
Exclusive and Limited: The Sinn 6099 B
That leaves the crucial question: How much does the 6099 cost? According to the manufacturer, the chronograph comes in at just under €3,800 – a fair price considering the cohesive overall package and the generous scope of delivery. The latter includes a leather strap and a stainless steel bracelet, as well as an Eschenbach watchmaker's loupe and the appropriate tool for changing straps.
If you want something even more exclusive, keep an eye out for the special edition Sinn 6099 B: Unveiled at Baselworld 2019 to mark the 20th anniversary of the Financial Center watches, it sets itself apart from the standard version with a dark blue dial.
Most impressive of all is the sheen of its sunburst finish, which comes through noticeably more strongly than on the regular 6099.
The bad news for potential buyers is that the chronograph, limited to 200 pieces, is already sold out and available only pre-owned, if at all. If you can't get one, all you can do is be patient: In 2024, the Financial Center watches will celebrate their 25th birthday and will undoubtedly bring forth a new special edition.
