A few questions about an old sinn 103

[ante]

So, a few days ago I bought this 103 for dirt cheap and it should be delivered on monday.
Service history is unknown and it will be going in for a service ASAP.
Things I am worried about is the missing logo on the face and weird logo on the buckle. Is this some sort of early edition? Also shouldn't the bracelet be brushed with polished center links?
Seller claims Sinn has no record of the serial number and dates the watch pre 1996 when they started keeping digital records.

Can anyone tell me how much will it cost me for new watchface, hands and gasket seal kit from Sinn (I've sent them an email but expect no quick response)?Ž








Cheers!

[JayGee]

The dial is stamped Swiss made and "automatic" rather than the German spelling with a K.
If the dial has been changed, the burning question is why?
Bracelet looks kind of original, but, badly polished the "S" stamp is correct for some 90s watches, maybe there is a manufacturing detail on the clasp, I think NSA where oem.
I've found the Sinn service dept very helpful and their work reasonably priced.
I'm sure there will be someone who is a real Sinn expert who can comment.
The 103 is a great watch & if it was daft cheap, why not?

[JayGee]

Don't think a display back is correct either and if it where, rotor would be signed.
Anyway, good luck with your new purchase.
My experience is Sinn will normally respond by the next working day and their time estimates are pretty accurate. They will provide you with a definitive answer to how original your watch is and if they can help you, an exact cost before they start the work. In some cases they will charge for the quote and then refund this if you go ahead.
Best, jg

[ante]

I have found examples with swiss made and automatic spelling online, but not one picture without the logo. Really wierd.

image from this thread:
http://forum.tz-uk.com/showthread.ph...Sinn-103-St-Sa

Rotor is signed but the pictures are very bad.
Here is another one i got from the seller.


Glad to know I can expect a speedy response from sinn and i will be most likely sending the watch to them.
Hope it's not a lemon. Seller said it works properly except for no box, papers, or service record.
Thank you :)

[PickleB]

You're right to be wondering about the dial. It's too clean and new looking and it doesn't match up with the hands, IMO. As for the rotor, I've seen a couple on the web where the Sinn is very light (link to one example) and I think I can just make out an 'n' in the second photo you've posted. Let's hope that it's there and poor photography means it's not easily visible. Here's hoping that it's had a replacement dial at some stage (for whatever reason) and the rest is OK. I'm sure you'll let us know on Monday.

[RAJEN]

I doubt if it is really a Sinn. It is most likely an O&W Mirage III kind of deal.
Sinn on the case back is obviously a fabrication and that too not a well done one.

[JasonM]

I doubt if it is really a Sinn. It is most likely an O&W Mirage III kind of deal.
Sinn on the case back is obviously a fabrication and that too not a well done one.

I had similar thoughts, I expect the dial etc was available as a generic unbranded one from a supplier, Sinn used it, O&W used it and someone put this together too... Nice looking watch.

[wampa]

Just looks like a 103 with a sterile dial fitted to it.

All the signs look like a 103 to me:

display back with signed rotor was a available on 103 , engravings are correct
black day date wheels
screw down pushers
flowing S on buckle & blocky S on crown are correct

Has is got acrylic or sapphire?

[River Rat]

Here is a shot of a older Sinn I have in my collection also with swiss made on the dial and older big S on case back and the S on the crown like yours the newer ones don't have the S on the crowns. This is a rare one with a modified hand wind movement with cool sweep hand from the 1980's seen other photo's of this model so it's legit. hopes this helps with the ID. I have a old photo of a O&W mirage I use to own I will post a photo of it later

[River Rat]

Here is a O&W I use to own


That watch mite of came with a solid case back and in the older days maybe Sinn did not care to mark the movement since it was covered any ways. The lugs and case are different on the Sinn and O&W so the case is Sinn on the posters watch I am no expert on the rest. And O&W used a white date wheel instead of black like Sinn so the movement mite be legit another thing I noticed.

[ante]

According to seller it has sapphire on both ends. That together with the screwdown pushers would indicate 103 st sa.
I will post better pictures once I get it on monday.
Thanks everyone for your toughts, cant wait to get this old boy back to its former glory if it really is the real deal.

[Sinnlover]

I have to say I think it's legit
I can see Sinn on the rotor when the pic is displayed on my phone
The case is a 103 style case
The dial might be a service replacement or very early version.
I would be happy with it.
Hopefully Sinn can confirm.

- - - Updated - - -

I have to say I think it's legit
I can see Sinn on the rotor when the pic is displayed on my phone
The case is a 103 style case
The dial might be a service replacement or very early version.
I would be happy with it.
Hopefully Sinn can confirm.

[ante]

Well i got the watch in my possesion. I think its genuine except the dial (luminova looks too new to be from the early '90s). Still havent heard from Sinn. Here is a couple of pictures:







Ignore the strap, is temporary :)

[PickleB]

Hopefully the OP has bagged himself an old Sinn (with a new dial). However, whoever buys this: www.ebay.co.uk/itm/281838856174...won't be so lucky (IMO).

[Jo Hande]

Just for information:
Until 1995, Mr. Helmut Sinn was owner of the Sinn Cimpany, Frankfurt.
Then the company came in the hands of Lothar Schmidt and Sinn became much more commercial.
During the Helmut Sinn era the "103" had serial numbers 112.xxxx and 212.XXXX
After 1995, they started a new numbering system: 103.XXXX
So, this watch is from before 1995 and has very obviously a newer dial.
Here my Sinn103 Sa HD from 1994, handwound 7765, as a possible reference.

greetings,
Jo

[bwest76]

I like it,is it thinner than a auto?

Looks like no AR?

[Jo Hande]

Maybe a bit thinner, there is no automatic weight. I can't mesure the thickness, the watch is for service in Belgium for the moment,

AR? I don't know, in 1994, H. Sinn didn't mention that to me.
Here another picture.

End of the year, after 25 years I will sell it, ... to get 2 or 3 Smiths from Eddie!

Jo

[Jo Hande]

Height is 15mm (top of crystal to bottom)
My 103 is now sold; with the money I bought a Smiths PRS29 and a Smiths PRS36.

Thanks for the quick delivery to my daughter in Wales, Eddie!
And I'm very happy with the purchase.

My principle is: a watch is to be used and must be easy readable. So, beeing a bit older, the chronograph 103 was not useful anymore, because I need glasses to read the subdials ...

Jo

[bambam]

Wonder what happened to the original watch that the OP posted about?

[ante]

Wonder what happened to the original watch that the OP posted about?

Sold it few monhts after this thread. If the new owner still has it, it's somewhere in California now :)

[Jo Hande]

My Sinn 103 (1994) is now in Gent (Belgium).
The new owner is happy, I'm happy!