Sinn 717 Watch Review
Friday - 30 April 2021
We talk a lot about pilots watches here at Jura Watches, especially those that take inspiration from cockpit instruments. With the new Sinn 717 watch, the German watch manufacturer has drawn from a specific cockpit clock that is still used by the military today. Taking inspiration from the Nabo 17 ZM, the new Sinn 717 is powered by the proprietary SZ01 chronograph movement and delivers a complication so many chronograph enthusiasts hunt for, a central minutes counter.
The NaBo 17 ZM Cockpit Clock
Back in the 1970’s, no more than a decade after the founding of Sinn Spezialuhren GmbH, the luxury watch manufacturer designed a cockpit clock that would be used by the German Air Force. Named the NaBo 17 ZM (NaBo standing for Navigation Borduhr, or on-board navigation clocks, and ZM meaning Zentralminute , or central minute counter), the instrument was implemented within an array of military aircrafts including the F-104 Starfighter, the Breguet Atlantic – a long-range maritime patrol aircraft – and in the Bölkow Bo 105 helicopter. Despite its age, the design can still be found in Tornado multirole combat aircrafts today.
Many of the cockpit clock’s most distinctive features are what lay down the foundation for the new Sinn 717 watch including details surrounding the pump pushers, the knurled crown and the black and orange coloured dial. One of the most characteristic elements of the NaBo 17 ZM however is the central chronograph minute counter and the highly legible face detailed with large white Arabic numerals and orange hands. Let’s see how the historic design compares to the new Sinn 717…
The Sinn 717 Watch
As we’ve mentioned, one of the biggest draws of the new Sinn 717 is the central stopwatch display for seconds and minutes as displayed by bright orange hands. This rare combination of complications is powered by the Sinn chronograph movement SZ01 and controlled by large chronograph pushers on the right hand side of the case. It is here where the only real change in both designs can be spotted. Whereas the historic cockpit clock features a single pusher at its base, the new release comes equipped with traditional chronograph pushers on the right hand side of the case.
Just like the NaBo 17 ZM, the Sinn 717 watch is dressed entirely in black but for additional robustness is engineered with a black hard coating using the brand’s legendary TEGIMENT technology. We also still have large Arabic numerals on the dial guaranteeing glow in the dark readability, a small seconds dial and an interior pilots bezel with luminous key mark. The case of the Sinn 717 measures to 45mm in diameter and is given a bead-blasted finish for a sophisticated look. Above the matte black dial, sapphire crystal glass delivers additional resistance to scratches and is treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
Alongside small seconds and chronograph complication, the Sinn SZ01 movement delivers two black central hands hours and minutes covered in luminous coating and a date window at 3 o’clock – a feature that replaces the original “3H” marking on the NaBo 17 ZM which indicated its use of tritium. The movement also promises a power reserve of 42 hours, beats at a frequency of 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour and is equipped with 28 bearing jewels. A screw fastened case back protects the movement from up to 20 bar of water and pressure and sits neatly on the wrist with the help of a black calfskin leather strap meticulously detailed by orange stitching.
The Sinn 717 watch is available to order now on the Jura Watches website with interest free finance and free delivery. For more information on this model and other 2021 Sinn watch releases, get in touch with the team on 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: Sinn 717 Watch (717.010)
- Case Size: 45mm
- Case Material: Stainless steel with black hard coating on TEGIMENT basis
- Bezel: Internal pilots bezel with luminous key mark
- Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Screw-fastened
- Water Resistance: 200 metres
- Movement: Sinn SZ01, self-winding chronograph
- Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, stopwatch minute, stopwatch seconds, date
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Jewels: 28
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Matte black with luminous hands and numerals
- Strap: Black calfskin leather
- Buckle: Black hard coated pin buckle
- RRP: £4,625
- Release Date: Available now
