Sinn 104

The 104 from the Frankfurt-based watch manufacturer Sinn Spezialuhren is the epitome of a modern pilot's watch. As with all pilot's watches, the main focus of the Sinn 104 is to provide optimal readability. However, Sinn marches to the beat of its own drum. Instead of a typical design with large numerals and a triangle at 12 o'clock, their St Sa I watches feature only luminous hour markers and short line indices for the minutes and quarter hours. This, combined with glow-in-the-dark, syringe-shaped hands, makes telling the time a breeze both during the day and night. Those looking for something a bit more traditional can turn to the 104 St Sa A. Its dial includes luminous Arabic numerals.

It's not just the dial design that sets the Sinn 104 apart from other watches of its kind; for example, it also has a day-date display at 3 o'clock. Its bidirectional bezel with minute ratcheting is another uncommon feature for a pilot's watch. Small screws hold the bezel in place, meaning it will not fall off on impact. What's more, it also has a reverse minute scale that begins with a luminous triangle.

Sinn is best known for producing robust watches. Therefore, it comes as no surprise that the 104 is crafted to handle extreme conditions. Thanks to its screw-down crown and sapphire glass case back, this 41-mm stainless steel watch is water resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft). This means it is suited for shallow dives. What's more, it's resistant to low pressure, antimagnetic according to ISO 764, and shock resistant in accordance with ISO 1413.

The automatic movement SW 220-1 from the Swiss caliber manufacturer Sellita provides this timepiece with its precise timekeeping, 38-hour power reserve, and stop seconds mechanism. Sinn outfits this movement with its own rotor.

Like many Sinn watches, the 104 is available with a large selection of leather, rubber, or stainless steel bands. These bands range in style from chic to retro to sporty.

The original version of this pilot's watch is known as the 104 St Sa I. It has a matte black dial with white hands and indices. The day-date display and rotatable bezel follow the same color scheme of white text on a black background. You can purchase a mint-condition timepiece on a leather or rubber strap for around 1,200 USD. If you'd prefer a stainless steel bracelet, that price climbs to about 1,500 USD. Depending on the band and condition, prices for pre-owned models fall between 1,000 and 1,200 USD.

The 104 St Sa I W shines with its crisp white dial. Its black hour markers and hands are coated in a generous layer of bright luminous material with a green hue. The final result feels very fresh and light. In contrast, a black pilot's bezel with white script surrounds the dial. These models tend to cost 10 to 30 USD more than their black counterparts.

The 104 St Sa I A and 104 St Sa I B are relatively new. These two models differ only in their dial color: The St Sa I A has an anthracite dial and the St Sa I B has a blue dial. Both use the same hands as the black edition. A sunburst pattern adds a sense of refinement and approachability to these timepieces. In fact, they are the perfect watch for anyone who wants a tool watch that also pairs well with a business suit. Mint-condition pieces on a leather or rubber strap cost around 1,300 USD. A stainless steel bracelet adds about 300 USD to that price. Pre-owned watches are currently hard to come by.

The Sinn 104 St Sa A sets itself apart from its sister models in one significant way: Its matte black dial features Arabic numerals. This makes it the 104 version that is closest to a classic pilot's watch. However, from a technical perspective, it's identical to the other models in the series. This is further reflected in its prices. Depending on the band, expect to pay anywhere from 1,200 to 1,400 USD for a new timepiece. You can find well-maintained pre-owned models for as little as 1,000 USD.