Horologii

Sinn R500 “Bullhead” Chronograph Limited Edition Watch Review

From their complex navigation chronographs to their forte of aviation instruments, there’s no denying Sinn are specialists in designing and manufacturing watches for the cockpit. However today, we are looking at a Sinn watch unlike anything we’ve seen before: the Sinn R500 Racing Chronograph. The limited edition of 300 pieces revisits a racing stopwatch with the iconic “bullhead” design from the 1970’s, dressed in high-strength titanium and a motor-sport motivated dial.

While bullhead chronographs are a rarity nowadays, they were widely coveted in the 1970’s with luxury watch brands like Breitling, Omega, Seiko and Citizen following the trend with their own unique interpretations of a classic stopwatch for the wrist. Sinn was another manufacturer to join the movement, releasing their own bullhead chronograph – a name given to this style of watch where the crown at 12 o’clock is joined by two push pieces at 11 and 1 o’clock. The pushes are theoretically the horns of the ‘bull’. The new Sinn R500 Racing Chronograph Limited Edition brings back to life this very historical model with a familiar aesthetic designed as an analogy to the traditional stopwatch and the sport of motor racing.

Underscoring the design as a contemporary interpretation of its predecessor, the Sinn R500 Racing Chronograph Limited Edition watch is presented in a satinised case made from high-strength Grade 5 titanium. It’s size, however, remains characteristically bulky measuring to 42mm in diameter and a depth of 16mm at its thickest point. Viewing the watch from the front does its unique shape no justice, but from the side you can see how the thickest point at 12 o’clock tilts the dial upwards. This is done purposely to ensure optimal legibility of the dial and for ease of access to the crown and push pieces from the wrist.

Despite the large case design, the lightweight properties of titanium alongside the lack of lugs and black cowhide strap ensures the timepiece sits perfectly flush against the skin. The case of the Sinn R500 Racing Chronograph Limited Edition is also equipped with sapphire crystal glass on the front treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides, a screw fastened case back and a screw in crown to assist in its pressure and water resistant rating of 200 metres.

The dial of the Sinn R500 is a rather understated interpretation of a classic sports chronograph, not appearing overly fussy but still providing all the necessary complications needed in motorsport. Its matte black background is disrupted by three reverse panda-style white chronograph subsidiary dials for 30 minutes, 12 hours and small seconds and a bright red arrow tipped central seconds hand in the centre. The sporty aesthetic continues with the addition of applied baton indices decorated in luminous coating and the tachymeter scale around the edge to 500hm/h – a must-have feature for drivers who want to measure their speed on the interior bezel. The unique power reserve indicator, dressed in deep green and red, may seem like an unusual addition to an automatic watch but according to German rally champion Peter Göbe, this feature becomes crucial when using the chronograph to time laps.

The Sinn R500 Racing Chronograph Limited Edition is powered by the ever-reliable Valjoux 7750 self-winding calibre. The 25 jewelled movement is used within almost every Sinn chronograph watch, and understandingly so, since it is one of industry’s most cost-effective chronograph movements with a frequency of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour, seconds stop function and a power reserve of 48 hours. Sinn completes the R500 watch with a sporty black cowhide leather strap with a red seam integrated into the case. The red strap and its perforated embossing has been purposely chosen to homage the pattern seen so frequently in the sport of motor racing.

With its unique bullhead design, bulky case size and limited run of only 300 pieces, we have no doubt the Sinn chronograph will sell out over the coming months. If you’d like to get your hands on your own Sinn R500 Racing Chronograph Limited Edition watch, it is available to order on the Jura Watches website here at a retail price £3,930.

Specifications: Sinn R500 Racing Chronograph Limited Edition (500.010)

  • Case Diameter: 42mm
  • Case Thickness: 16mm at thickest point, 12mm at thinnest
  • Bezel: Fixed
  • Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment on both sides
  • Case Back: Screw-fastened
  • Crown: Screw in
  • Water Resistance: 200 metres
  • Movement: Valjoux 7750 self-winding
  • Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, central chronograph seconds, 12 hours, 30 minutes, date, interior tachymeter scale, power reserve indicator
  • Power Reserve: 48 hours
  • Jewels: 25
  • Frequency: 28,800vph
  • Dial: Matte black with luminous hands and indices
  • Strap: Black calfskin leather
  • Buckle: Pin
  • RRP: £3,930
  • Limited Edition: 300 pieces