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Simona Richter
Foreign.
Rob Knobs
Hello, watch fans and welcome to another edition of the Real Time show with me, your friendly neighborhood watchmaker, Rob Knobs. Today I am joined in the glass igloo outside Villa Salazan, here for the time to watch this event by Simona Richter of Zinn Watches from Frankfurt and Main. Hello, how are you doing?
Simona Richter
Hello. I'm doing very fine.
Rob Knobs
Good. It's a very fine day, isn't it? It's beautiful.
Simona Richter
Yeah.
Rob Knobs
Sun's not in your eyes.
Simona Richter
Yeah. Much warmer than the days before. So we are all in the good mood.
Rob Knobs
Everybody's smiling, everybody's enjoying watches. And I'm not surprised when we've got things like the novelty from Zinn that I'm holding in my hand right now to enjoy. Could you please give us a breakdown of this U18 model I have in my hand?
Simona Richter
Yeah, it's a very special watch because we launched it, because we have an anniversary of diving watches made of German submarine steel. As you might know, we have these U models, U1, U2, UX. There's a very successful line. And this is for 20 years right now. Unbelievable. The first watch started from this material was in 2005. In those days we bought new submarine steel to build these watches. And for the novelty Rob has in his hands right now we have steel from.
Rob Knobs
A decommissioned submarine.
Simona Richter
Decommissioned, I don't know why.
Rob Knobs
For our listeners, please say it in German. This is why it's difficult to remember. Decommissioned, because we make it quite simple.
Simona Richter
But in German it is Stahlfan ausserdienstgestelten ooboden asherdienstgestell. Decommissioned. But that's my personal problem, that I can't keep that word in my mind.
Rob Knobs
It means literally steal from an out of service submarine. Yeah, yeah, fancy.
Simona Richter
So we are in a position to make this limited watch, limited to 1,000 pieces because of the quantity of steel we buy and make a really outstanding diving watch.
Rob Knobs
It is outstanding. It's extremely striking. There's something about this steel. I mean, it's a heavy watch.
Simona Richter
It's a heavy watch, of course, because you have 2000 meter water resistant and you need some material for that. And it comes on a bracelet also. And if you want to have that quality, you need a little bit material.
Rob Knobs
I think quality is the word that this piece absolutely exudes. I mean, the finishing is on point. You wouldn't expect anything less from a company as precise as Zinn. But the build, I mean, this thing looks like a submarine in itself and it is fascinating off air. I was just sort of turning that over in my hands and marveling out loud at how strange a thing it is to think that this metal in my hand and on my wrist has lived under the sea for how many hours and how many miles did you.
Simona Richter
Say you can read it on the dial? We print sea miles this submarine has made. So it's for the U18, I think.
Rob Knobs
It'S 190,000, 192,142 C miles.
Simona Richter
So that's roughly 10 times around the world.
Rob Knobs
How crazy is that? You know, it's all well and good having a story and provenance, you know, behind a watch's design, but to actually have something that is sailed around the world.
Simona Richter
Yeah, and it has. They built these submarines in the early 1970s and if you know that this kind of material, there are generations of crews working in the submarines and it was in charge in those times where we have a cold war covering the peace, protecting the Baltic Sea. And you have the possibility to have this piece of history, of maritime history on your wrist. So it's a very emotional, very special piece.
Rob Knobs
There's a very interesting, very special motif on the dial as well. It's a, a bubbly pattern, which is unusual and I think like very playful. For Zinn, which is not a brand I associated with playfulness particularly I associate Zinn mostly with extremely competent tool watches with exceptional finishing, peerless build quality bubbly, Wienerman, Dassault, Deutsch, Sargent bubbly. So air bladders. Air bladders like that.
Simona Richter
The reason is that we want to make this watches look totally different to the regular U models. And we decided if you see the material where the watch came from, as you can imagine a submarine which was in charge for decades of years from 1970 to 2010, roughly about. Doesn't look very nice anymore from the outside. We want to make exactly the opposite. So you have a polished satinized finish on the case. And yeah, we decide to go for this more or less a little bit fancy dial also. But what I personally like very much is if you see the photos in our catalog on our website, you see the bubbles very strongly. But if you have it on your wrist for normal daily light circumstances, you even don't see them in some time. So it's really. There's a lot of variances if you wear this watch on your wrist.
Rob Knobs
I mean it is incredibly subtle. It isn't any way distracting from the time. Chilling. It's beautifully done. I mean the bubbles are effectively 3D, aren't they?
Simona Richter
Yeah, a little bit. Yeah.
Rob Knobs
It's more like rather than Coloration more like UV spot printing, when certain areas of the dial are highlighted with an application of gloss. Yeah, it's really clever. It's really cool. It's very different and it is a nice thing to see, honestly. Tell me, at 6:00 clock here, there's a small aperture which intersects.
Simona Richter
Yeah.
Rob Knobs
Is that moisture indicator or.
Simona Richter
Yeah. The U18 is containing the ar dehumidifying technology, this technology which protects the watch from fogging up. So for this technology, we take out the normal air of the watch case, because normal air contains always a little bit humidity, and if you have strong temperature changes, then it can fog up from the inner side. To avoid this, we bring a very dry gas into the case. And also this capsuler, it's filled with copper sulfate and copper sulfate will absorb. Will absorb humidity which came in while you are wearing the watch. So not that it means that you have a broken watch, it's just the humidity in the air that can come in again. And this technology, which we invent for very hard users, professional users, but it's also a big advantage for anyone because it makes the service intervals longer.
Rob Knobs
How long does this capsule need to be replaced?
Simona Richter
You can see when it has to be replaced because copper sulfate became more blue, the more humidity is in it.
Rob Knobs
Okay. Blue, okay. That's very interesting. This is a serious piece of kit, as we would say in English, slightly colloquially. It's something for professionals. I would say that they would wear no helium valve. Not that I'm a saturation diver, so I never need one. But not something you were interested in adding into a model that has 2,000 meters water resistance, a helium valve. So that's not.
Simona Richter
You don't need it, in our opinion, because if you have this watch and you will dive and you have to come up again, then the watch has the same procedure as your body has. So it works. All our diving watches are tested and certificated by the DNV. So we make a real test for these 2000 meters and also a little percentage up so that we can really ensure that it will work.
Rob Knobs
You see, I was trying to tee you up there to show off a little bit, because other brands put helium valves on things that really do not need them. But if you build the watch correctly, then shouldn't be a problem at all. Now, this feels like something that should cost an awful lot of money. But what is the retail price?
Simona Richter
The retail price in Germany for this piece is a little bit about 3000 Euros. 3250 Euro. And there are two other models in this line. We launch, it's one with 41 millimeter diameter with the hands of the U1 or U50 and also with 44 without the AR dehumidifying technology and a little bit less pressure resistance.
Rob Knobs
So, I mean, it's an incredible product for that retail price. I mean, we've not only got this beautifully machined case, as I mentioned, the bracelet, of course, it has these lovely screwed links for adjusting to perfect size and a really solid adjustable clasp, which, I mean, is pure sin. It's just function.
Simona Richter
Yeah, that's a new one. Yeah. So we invented this one and it's coming for all of our bracelets.
Rob Knobs
Okay.
Simona Richter
Going.
Rob Knobs
It strikes me that you must be operating on pretty slim margins because this seems like an awful lot of watch for the money.
Simona Richter
It is exactly right. Unfortunately, that's because of our history. You know, as a company was founded, we only say dialogue directly to the customer. So there was no margin for distributors. And the founder of the company, Helmut Sinn and also Lotha Schmidt, the owner of the company, those days they did not calculate big marketing budgets. I hate to say that because I'm in charge of marketing and I would love to have more.
Rob Knobs
Oh, I knew that already. We've worked together for years. Never got a single cent out of you, to be honest. But luckily for you, that's good to hear. Although those tariffs we were talking about off air might put Peyton and he plans to have a marketing budget now. Your biggest market, I guess export wise, must be the us.
Simona Richter
It is. It's always a battle between the US and Japan, to be honest.
Rob Knobs
You're kidding me.
Simona Richter
Yes, true.
Rob Knobs
Okay. That surprises me. I think maybe I have a slightly. I've never worked in Japan, so I don't really have a read on the market at all. So maybe I just misunderstand what kind of watches they would go for. But I'm assuming that the build quality and the reputation of German engineering is what would make it.
Simona Richter
They love the technique and what I have to say all the time we are discussing why the US and Japan are the best export markets today. I think it's one point which is important for us anyway. Both are very long term partnerships. You have really people and partners with a lot of heartbeat for the brand. They understand the technique, they love the brand and a partnership above all. And that's very important for us.
Rob Knobs
I'm guessing that Germany must be a huge market share leader for you.
Simona Richter
Yeah, it is, of course.
Rob Knobs
Yeah. I mean, the reputation is incredible on home soil and you obviously have more points of sale within Germany. Than I guess anywhere else at the moment.
Simona Richter
Yes, that's true. And it's also very important because we have still the direct sale in Germany next to selling also over our partners, so called depots jewelry shops. But the point that we still have the end customer in our headquarter is so important because we learn so much. We listen what they say. If they say oh I like bigger watches, smaller watches, such a small thing or what they don't like. And I think it makes it big difference if you have the customer in front of you complaining.
Rob Knobs
Yeah, of course, of course. You really listen to them, right?
Simona Richter
Yeah, you will listen. And also if somebody is enthusiasm and tells you what he loves and that's something which is a big difference and what. And a big inspiration for us all the time.
Rob Knobs
So if I'm a potential Zen customer, can I come and visit you in Frankfurt Aman at your headquarters?
Simona Richter
Of course. We have opening times from Monday to Friday from 10 to 6pm oh wow. And we have a nice showroom.
Rob Knobs
You do have a lovely little museum almost to walk through to see all the pieces and read about the history. And there's some incredible moments of history in your past which I think a lot of people probably don't know about because you don't have any marketing budget. That's the problem.
Simona Richter
Yeah, unfortunately you are right.
Rob Knobs
Well, there's nothing you can do about it to be fair. I mean it's very hard to be heard above the noise of watchmaking as it is. But what, what you have done very well is cultivate an extremely passionate core community that understands the watches. I mean Zinn is a watch lovers brand. It really is something that people obsess over as soon as they understand like the quality that they get on their wrist. You're very quiet on the international stage because again you have to throw money, thousands, hundreds of thousands after one another to even get any kind of movement in that regard. But you make an incredible product which when people get on their wrists and start to use, they realize it was built for exactly that, for use. And that's, that's what's I think sustained the brand and kept it growing steadily over the years. One thing you do need to carve out a budget for though is your website because it is incredible. It's like an artifact from like the old tool watch days. It makes. It takes me back to like have you checked it?
Simona Richter
So stays.
Rob Knobs
I've checked it recently. Have you updated it?
Simona Richter
Because we have had a relaunch like in June last year.
Rob Knobs
I was on it Recently.
Simona Richter
Have a look at it.
Rob Knobs
Let me have a look. I. I've always loved it because I love these little throwbacks.
Simona Richter
Sweating Rob.
Rob Knobs
Okay, maybe, maybe I haven't checked it since June. That is totally possible. So I. Well, I might be disappointed then because I loved it. There's like an old catalog from a dive watch shop like back in the 50s. You have changed it. It looks pretty swanky. This is why you've not got any marketing budget. Well, I dove my cap to you.
Simona Richter
It's all guns here.
Rob Knobs
You've dropped. You've dragged it to the 20th century at last. Oh, I kind of miss it now.
Simona Richter
So we worked it out a little bit and we tried to arrive in today.
Rob Knobs
Yeah, you really done it. I don't. I actually don't believe it. Honestly. I must not have been on it since June. But what, what an absolute.
Simona Richter
Rob is.
Alon
Right?
Simona Richter
Yeah. Because now you can imagine it was really a hard work to coming from this really old fashioned which works good for us, to be honest.
Rob Knobs
Yeah, I can imagine.
Simona Richter
But it was a big step for us.
Rob Knobs
Wow. Wow. No, go and have a look. If you, like me, hadn't been on it since June last year, you will be amazed. They've actually done it. Oh, you've got a branch in my hometown in Zwinger. Great. I'm learning all sorts of things in this interview. This is why we do the real Time show. Alan and I always say it's bad for our wallets because every time we see new watches and talk to people from brands, we fall in love with them all over again. Oh, well now that's an interesting moment. That is a seminal moment for the brand. You've got rid of the mail order catalog that was your website and replaced it with something that looks like it was built.
Simona Richter
Yeah, but we still have the printed catalogue and we send it. We love to send it. Everybody who's a marketing budget for goodness sake. But think about. You can sit somewhere such a like nice place as we are sitting right now and you can relax in your chair and you can turn the pages of a printed catalog, feel the paper. As much as I love the Internet, I love that we still produce a catalog because it stays at the table and some people collecting it also.
Rob Knobs
Oh, that does not surprise me. No, and you're right. Okay. It does cultivate that feeling of community and that physical connection with the brand. And as long as the paper stock is good, which I'm sure it is because Zinn makes everything it makes very, very well, then it will reflect the quality of the watches just like the one I'm holding in my hand, the U18. So go on this revamped website, check it out, get down to your local Zen boutique or retailer, or even take a trip over to Germany and visit the team at HQ to see exactly what we're talking about and to indulge yourself in the world of fine made tool watches. Simone, thank you so much for your time. I appreciate it. Okay, let's speak soon. Bye bye. Bye, Zoe. Sin, you missed out on that one. It's a big brand. It's one of the bigger brands at Timeshawatches. A big fish in a smaller pond. Of course, one of the most beloved and renowned tool watch manufacturers in the world. Bring in some interesting novel is. I mean, the one that stuck with me was the one that has bubbles on the dial, the U15. Is it cute or is it ridiculous for a tool watch? Alon, discuss.
Alon
Before I discuss, we joke around in Holland because you pronounce it in a Dutchy way, Zinn, as if it's a Z I n. And zinn in Dutch means I feel like it's in. So my brother and I always joke around. Oh, Iker zone, Zinn in. We want sin at ace. So we're an objective. We love it. We love the brand. We're in dialogue with them. I love how tool esque they are both in the collections and Spartan in their behavior and teams. Fantastic people. I missed this one. I regret it. Last Geneva watched is you and I actually had a very fun and cool meeting with them. Everything buzzes around the brand. They're bubbly. So for them to make a bubbly dial, why not? The U15 is a fantastic dive watch. They make uber tool watches.
Rob Knobs
Yeah, why not?
Alon
They get away with it. Actually looks very good.
Rob Knobs
It's funny that pronunciation difference between Dutch and German because if zinn was spelled with a Z in German, it would be tin and you'd have to put that T in there, which has probably just broken most people's headphones. Coming through the mic as it did there, nearly broke mine, that's for sure. But sin, if you prefer, is not known for frivolity in this way. Do I like it? I mean, it's a nice colorway. It's quite tastefully done. It is, I think, congruous with the whole watch design. I mean, it's a diver. Thing is though, what if your watch was leaking? You wouldn't really see the water droplets on the inside of the case.
Alon
I have an answer for you.
Rob Knobs
Yeah.
Alon
Sin watches don't leak, buddy. So look how confident they are.
Rob Knobs
This is the only time we see bubbles in a sin watch. So you know, there you go. You've never seen this before. It's nice.
Alon
I want to counter now to you because we're referring to them as being a tool watch brand. What did you think of the 1739 Rmerberg? So a two hand dress watch. Should sinn make these watches?
Rob Knobs
It's definitely not sin. Let's not start that.
Alon
I was kidding. I'm kidding.
Rob Knobs
I'm kidding. Don't do that. That will hurt my ears. I really dislike this 1739 Rimmer book. I'm a huge fan of Zinn. The Zinn Hydro UX was the first luxury watch I ever bought for myself. I would not say a word against their tool watches and I won't say a word against the quality of their dress watches. Do I think these watches and the sort of financial district watches they make are the best of type? No, I don't. I don't think that they have quite the je ne sais quoi that you want from like a stylish, elegant piece that you're going to wear around the office. Like I, I'd buy a Jaeger Lecoultre, I'd buy a Cartier, I'd buy a Blancpain. I wouldn't find myself rushing to buy a dressy Zinn because for me that's not what they do. Well, they do it fine. Their execution is always on point. That is, I think, undeniable. No watch within Zinn's catalog is poorly made. It's just a question of like whether or not you want this from Zinn. Because I can get this from other brands for less and I can get it from other brands for a lot more, but with a lot more prestige attached to it. So is it a nice watch? Yeah, it's fine. It's totally fine. But I'd rather. So this is a moment we discussed anodyne yesterday. I'd rather buy an Annordain for about the same price, you know?
Alon
Yeah, I know. So taking it from one spectrum to the other another. Well, not two hand watch, but a three hand watch. But one that I'm super happy sin is making and I don't even know what other brand could have or should have made it. It's the 1800 Titan Damas Zena.
Rob Knobs
This is a weirdo. This is like a watch that looks like a concept watch from the early 2000s or maybe the early teens. It's. It's weird because those Indices and hands. They're obviously not heat blued, so I guess they're chemically blued. They could be PVD coated, of course, or lacquered even. They are vivid, striking. I like the fact they've gone to the lens of outlining the Zinn logo or the word mark, should I say? And the Damascena with the blue as well. It's a funny one. I like that it exists. It doesn't tempt me in the least, but I like that it exists. And at 10, almost €10,000 it is. I think it's more of a marker point than it is a commercial project. But what do you think?
Alon
I agree. I don't think this is done for ROI or to ramp up sales in value. I think they approach it as a concept, as you said. It reminds me of the Omega Ultra Light Sea Masters. You know, they make for these Olympic athletes and stuff. I love they've done it and I salute them for it. And I want to end up this episode by asking you if you're allowed to pick up one sim today. Which one do you pick?
Rob Knobs
I'm only allowed one.
Alon
Yes.
Rob Knobs
You know what? There's a pilot chronograph that I saw in a window of a boutique in Frankfurt. It was a 356 and the model that I liked the most was the sort of anthracite dial of a silver sub dial was the anniversary special or the Jubalarm special. That is a sharp little watch. It's a smart piece. It's very Zinn. It's also not quite as toolish, as overtly toolish as some of the more like heavily bezel models. It's. It's a nice balance. I think it's a pretty muted colorway. It could go with a lot of different things. So I think that would be my pick. If I could pick up just one sin. Although there's several that I'd like to own you.
Alon
Funny, I did not see that happening. I would have put all my money on you picking a quartz synth. And obviously you know where I'm driving to. It's the oil filled quartz dive watches. Is it the U50 if I remember correctly?
Rob Knobs
Well, that was the first watch I ever bought for myself. So I've just been there and done that.
Alon
Yeah, I forgot that I should have remembered that. I'm sorry, mea culpa. But I might go for that one as my first one as a gateway drug. Definitely not the last sin I would have ever bought or buy. I guess that after this one I'LL go flieger as well and it will be this retro ish 38, 39. I forgot. I think it's 3, 4, 7 or something like that. I need to find it quickly on the website and then I might go back to diving again. But I love the Tegamund treatments. They do. You remember that rescue team watch they made that they showed us last year? I forgot the name Rob.
Rob Knobs
You mean the one with the pop off bezel?
Alon
Yes.
Rob Knobs
So you can get the blood out.
Alon
Yes. That sounds so bad. But these guys are so hardcore. Form follows function. I love it. They're like Defender cars. They're fugly but because of that they're beautiful.
Rob Knobs
Yeah, they are beautiful and they're one of our favorite brands and I can't wait to get one for a full length episode because it's never happened yet. So let's hang up now and give them a call as soon as possible.
Podcast Summary: The Real Time Show – "Time To Watches: Sinn"
Release Date: June 24, 2025
Hosts: Rob Nudds & Alon Ben Joseph
In this episode of The Real Time Show, hosts Rob Nudds and Alon Ben Joseph delve into the intricacies of Sinn Watches, a renowned name in the tool watch industry. Joined by Simona Richter, a representative from Sinn Watches based in Frankfurt am Main, the hosts explore the brand's latest offerings, design philosophies, and market strategies.
Rob Nudds opens the discussion by showcasing the U18 model, a special edition commemorating Sinn's 20th anniversary of crafting diving watches from German submarine steel.
Limited Edition: Simona highlights, “This is limited to 1,000 pieces because of the quantity of steel we buy” (00:42).
Historical Significance: The steel used is sourced from decommissioned submarines, connecting the watch's material directly to maritime history. Rob muses, “It's something that has lived under the sea” (02:53).
Technical Details: The U18 boasts a 2000-meter water resistance, necessitating the substantial use of submarine steel, which contributes to the watch's hefty feel.
The U18 model isn't just about robust construction; it also features unique design elements that set it apart from traditional tool watches.
Dial Aesthetics: Featuring a "bubbly pattern," the dial introduces a playful yet subtle design. Simona explains, “If you have it on your wrist... you even don't see them in some time” (05:37), emphasizing the discreetness of the bubbles under normal lighting.
Dehumidifying Technology: A standout feature is Sinn’s proprietary AR dehumidifying technology, which prevents internal fogging. As Simona elaborates, “We bring a very dry gas into the case... copper sulfate will absorb humidity” (06:05). This innovation ensures longevity and reduces the need for frequent servicing.
Design Philosophy: The combination of polished satinized finishes with sophisticated dial patterns showcases Sinn's dedication to merging functionality with aesthetic appeal.
Sinn positions itself as a provider of high-quality tool watches without the hefty price tags often associated with luxury brands.
Affordable Excellence: The U18 retails at approximately €3,250, offering exceptional build quality and technological features that rival more expensive counterparts.
Direct-to-Customer Model: Simona attributes the competitive pricing to Sinn’s business model, which eliminates distributor margins. “We only sell directly to the customer... no margin for distributors” (09:52).
Sinn Watches prides itself on understanding and directly engaging with its customer base, fostering long-term partnerships, especially in key markets like the US and Japan.
Customer-Centric Approach: By maintaining direct sales channels, Sinn gains invaluable feedback, allowing them to tailor products to customer preferences.
Market Focus: The US and Japan remain Sinn's primary export markets, chosen for their long-term partnership potential and appreciation for German engineering.
Community Building: Despite limited marketing budgets, Sinn cultivates a passionate community of watch enthusiasts who champion the brand based on product quality and heritage.
Simona discusses Sinn's efforts to modernize their online presence while retaining traditional methods of customer engagement.
Website Relaunch: In June of the previous year, Sinn revamped their website to offer a more contemporary and user-friendly experience. Rob compliments the update, stating, “You've dropped it to the 20th century at last” (14:50).
Printed Catalogs: Despite the digital shift, Sinn continues to produce and distribute printed catalogs. Simona remarks, “We love to send it... feel the paper” (15:03), highlighting the tactile connection it fosters with customers.
The latter part of the episode features a candid conversation between Rob and Alon, offering personal perspectives on various Sinn models.
Design Appreciation: Alon praises Sinn’s choice to incorporate bubbles into the U15 model’s dial, aligning it with the brand’s "bubbly" identity (17:28).
Critique of Dress Watches: Rob shares his reservations about Sinn's 1739 Rimmerberg dress watch, appreciating the brand's tool watches more and suggesting that other prestigious brands might be preferable for dressy, elegant timepieces (19:33).
Unique Offerings: Both hosts express admiration for Sinn's unconventional models like the 1800 Titan Damascena Zena, which they regard as a conceptual masterpiece rather than a commercial endeavor (21:14; 22:01).
Personal Favorites: Rob mentions his preference for the pilot chronograph with an anthracite dial from Sinn, appreciating its balance between tool functionality and aesthetic versatility (22:34).
The episode concludes with a mutual appreciation for Sinn Watches' commitment to quality, innovation, and community engagement. Despite limited marketing resources, Sinn's strategic focus on direct customer relationships and exceptional product craftsmanship has cemented its reputation as a beloved tool watch manufacturer.
Simona Richter: “We are in the good mood.” (00:24)
Rob Knobs: “It's a very special watch because we launched it, because we have an anniversary of diving watches made of German submarine steel.” (00:42)
Simona Richter: “If you have it on your wrist for normal daily light circumstances, you even don't see them in some time.” (05:37)
Simona Richter: “Unfortunately, that's because of our history... no margin for distributors.” (09:52)
Rob Knobs: “Their execution is always on point.” (20:53)
The Real Time Show effectively highlights Sinn Watches' dedication to producing high-quality, functional tool watches that resonate with enthusiasts worldwide. By focusing on material excellence, innovative technologies, and fostering a strong community presence, Sinn continues to thrive as a respected name in the watchmaking industry.
Transcript Reference: The timestamps in the notable quotes section correspond to the provided transcript segments for easy verification and reference.