Reference Guide
Recently, Watchbuys—the North Carolina outfit that serves as North American distributor for a number of German mechanical watches (Dornblueth & Sohn, Fortis, Hanhart, and Sinn, to name but a few)—sent out an email announcing a number of Sinn “retirements.” These included the lovely 6110 Classic
Recently, Watchbuys—the North Carolina outfit that serves as North American distributor for a number of German mechanical watches (Dornblueth & Sohn, Fortis, Hanhart, and Sinn, to name but a few)—sent out an email announcing a number of Sinn “retirements.” These included the lovely 6110 Classic 4N (steel w/gold hands and numerals on an engine turned, silver/white dial), a model that followed the company’s successful 6100 Regulator—which had immediately attracted my attention, and which many watch sites had reviewed at its debut—with a classic two-hand display (sub seconds).
Sinn 6110
This got me to thinking about how our community might feel about Sinn products, and I subsequently dug up Pifpaf’s post from July 4, 2011 (“[Basel World] Sinn is not sinful”) as I was looking for opinions about the Frankfurt am Main manufacturer. The Regulator I've mentioned is a handsome (imho) echo of the pocket watch era, its 44mm case large enough to accommodate the elongated numerals that make the dial so memorable, yet not so much so as to be considered unduly profound today, wristwatch sizes having expanded north of 45mm in the past ten years.
Sinn 6100
But searching 6110, I found P'paf’s post, deep within which are found a few nice photos of the 4N and its brethren: the 6110 Classic B: steel, with silver/white dial and blued hands and numerals; the 6110 Rose Gold: like the 4N, but cased in rose gold; and an 18K cased model with black dial and gold hands and numerals. Absent from those photos is the startlingly different 6110 Technik—a thoroughly modern style in steel, with black dial and large indices—for it is so different as to seem a member of an entirely different tribe.
Not to disparage the watch’s Unitas 6498 heart,
Unitas 6498
which is decorated, sports a Glucydur screw balance and a Triovis adjustment system, but P'paf found its finish (I’m putting words in his mouth, here) a tad annoying. Yet he was quick to point out that for the money the assembled combination of elements created a watch that was really quite extraordinary.
What was not discussed was Sinn’s limited edition “Meisterbund” version of the Regulator, which sported a unique hand wound movement by Uhren Werke Dresden, UWD.
Sinn 6100 Meisterbund
This watch got my blood to pumping. I wanted one of those few (xx / 55), 18K babies (water resistant to 10bar!) having been swept away by the trio of cocks supporting the gear train (another echo of those marvelous pocket watches of the past), the unique shape of which was reinforced by the balance cock, itself. What should we call it—curvilinear trapezoidal? (Quick! Someone with a solid background in geometry chime in to help me here!) But whatever terminology we adopt, that shape stuck in my memory.
Fast forward, as we say, a couple years to the debut of Romain Gautier’s Logical One.
Gautier Logical One
What… a… watch! Just look at that barrel bridge! But wait a minute. Why am I having “deja vu all over again?” OMG! There’s that shape, that something-curved-trapezoid-whatever at each end.
Thus bringing us, my fellow enthusiasts, to my weekend challenge: who can come up with the origins of such a shape in calibers from the past (or at least some other examples with which I ought to be familiar)? My knowledge (and watch caliber photo library) is too quickly exhausted. But there are those of you who have real knowledge. So I’ve high hopes for some interesting responses. I’m interested, as well, in your critical evaluation of the UWK caliber. Perhaps I’m too easily impressed, but I’m rather fond of it. (Never seen it through a loupe, though.) But bottom line… where in history does this shape come into use?
SO! Let the contest begin! (with great thanks to all, and hopes for a lovely weekend wherever you may be… Fred H.)
Sinn 6110 Meisterbund
N.B. The Meisterbund project is ongoing, now with the 6200 still in production—an 18k palladium-alloyed white gold watch, classic two-hander with sub seconds, powered by UWD 33.1 and reviewed elsewhere here by KMII.
The 6100 Regulator represents a distinct offering within Horological Meandering's catalog, notable for its regulator-style display. This configuration separates the hour, minute, and second hands onto individual axes, providing a clear and focused reading of each time unit. It was a successful model that garnered attention upon its release, preceding other models like the 6110 Classic 4N, which shared a similar aesthetic but with a more traditional time display. The 6100 established a foundation for subsequent designs that emphasized legibility and a classic, understated appearance.
The watch features a stainless steel case, housing a mechanical movement known for its reliability and precision. The crystal protecting the dial is sapphire, ensuring durability and scratch resistance. The dial itself is characterized by its silver-white finish, often engine-turned, which adds a subtle texture and depth to the surface. The hands and numerals are typically executed in a contrasting tone, enhancing readability against the light dial.
For collectors, the 6100 Regulator appeals to those who appreciate a traditional watchmaking complication presented in a contemporary yet classic design. Its regulator display offers a unique visual experience compared to standard three-hand watches. The model's retirement, as noted by distributors, indicates its status as a discontinued reference, potentially increasing its appeal to collectors seeking specific past models from the brand's history.
It's been used before by a few brands in very limited quantities. The Sinn's version is probably the best for the case and dial, imo. The movement is the same across the different brands as far as I can tell. The movement layout looks a little similar to Unitas, but because of the construction, and size of the caliber, I would say this is a new movement. I have followed Lang and Heyne for a while and I think Marco has a good eye for movement aesthetics. For movements in this price range that use
The Infinity watch series uses the UWD caliber and comes with a handmade engine-turned dial which Mr Shapiro makes himself. Truly a magnificent watch front and back!
I'm not really a fan of the "California" advertisement on the dial, however. Such fine work, in my opinion, deserves a like degree of subtlety. "Engine turned," as well. But I realize these things are a matter of personal taste. It's still a beautiful timepiece. And I'm thrilled that such work is being carried on in America. Thanks again for pointing me in his direction. I'll keep track of his work. FH
To wit… the Frederick III in blue in fabulous looking!!! (And it bears my name.) When I have more than a few moments I will thoroughly digest the discussion/primer on which Lang be"langs" to whom! FH
in yellow (? it doesn't look like rose to me) gold. But the "6200 WG Meisterbund I" is the 6110 in white gold, palladium-alloyed, and currently part of their catalogue. Again, in a limited ed. Always good to hear from you! But surely with your knowledge of watch calibres you may have run onto that UWD-shaped cock (bridge) before? Art-Nr. 6100.030 Special characteristicsDescription Technical details Limited edition to 45 units Case made of 18-carat white gold Sinn caliber SZ04 Screw balance Charc
It comes in white gold as well with black dial.
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