The Replica Breitling Navitimer is a watch that has left an indelible mark on the history of watchmaking and aviation. Launched in 1952, it was designed specifically for pilots, incorporating a circular slide rule that allows complex navigation calculations to be performed for flight. The Navitimer quickly became the aviator’s chronograph par excellence, receiving wide acclaim from pilots and enthusiasts all over the world.
What happens if, however, putting aside the icons, you come up with a quality brand like Sinn, the signature of pilot watches loved all over the world since 1961, with 3 chronographs like those of the new Sinn 903 series that are almost identical in appearance to the Navitimer , at a price of less than half and made with very high construction standards? What are you doing, don’t you think about it?
Sinn 903 St II
The Sinn 903 St II is a technically redesigned sailing chronograph with a sunburst electroplated black dial. The 41mm stainless steel case houses a column wheel chronograph movement and hand-applied hybrid ceramic luminous elements. The bezel with logarithmic scale allows for navigation calculations, while the water resistance up to 20 bar (200 meters) is a testament to Sinn’s superior engineering. The silver electroplated subdials and applied logo complete the classic design of this excellent chronograph.
Sinn 903 St HB
Limited to just 500 pieces, the Sinn 903 St HB features a charming light blue dial with a sunray finish. Also equipped with a stainless steel case with a polished and satin finish and an external rotating bezel, waterproof up to 20 bar, this chronograph with function selection via column wheel boasts luminous elements in hybrid ceramic for perfect readability in the dark. The Tri-Compax arrangement of the silver electroplated counters and the applied Sinn logo further embellish the aesthetics of this timepiece available only in a limited edition.
Sinn 903 St B E II
The review closes with the 903 St B E II model which stands out for its dark blue dial with ivory-coloured luminous coating. The robust stainless steel case houses the usual finely decorated column wheel chronograph movement, of which you can find more details below. The indexes, the number 12 and the hands are made of luminescent hybrid ceramic, for an extraordinary intensity of light. The bezel with logarithmic scale, pressure resistance up to 20 bar and transparent sapphire glass case back complete the features of this technical and functional chronograph.
Movement
The Sinn 903 chronographs are all powered by the LJP L110 caliber made by La Joux-Perret, an evolution of the historic Valjoux 7750 caliber now equipped with a column wheel mechanism instead of the standard cam system. This automatic chronograph movement beats at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and offers a generous 60 hours of power reserve when fully wound.
As is known, the presence of the column wheel guarantees precise, smooth and reliable control of the chronograph functions, while the 26 jewels ensure robustness and durability over time. Furthermore, the caliber is protected from magnetic fields according to the DIN 8309 standard, a typical measure by Sinn which has always made professional watches by trade.
Conclusions
The Navitimer remains where it has always been, in the Olympus of the best watches ever built, and I would like to underline this, just as Sinn did not invent now and for commercial purposes to build a replica of probably the most famous Breitling in the world. Sinn – founded by Helmut Sinn at the time a military pilot – has been making them since 1961 in Frankfurt am Main (Germany).