Sinn is celebrating its 65th anniversary with a special edition of one of its most historically significant chronographs. The new Sinn 140 A S Anniversary combines a distinctive black case, contrasting silver subdials, and the brand’s SZ01 automatic movement with a remarkable piece of spaceflight history.
Limited to just 300 pieces worldwide, the 2026 anniversary model revisits the Sinn 140 series worn by German astronaut Reinhard Furrer during the 1985 D1 Spacelab mission. It retains the functional identity of the original while introducing a more elaborate case finish and a special presentation set.
The watch measures 44mm across, offers 100 meters of water resistance, and features a centrally mounted 60-minute chronograph counter. Its official German price is €5,490, while authorized North American distributor WatchBuys lists it for $6,980.
But the real appeal goes beyond its anniversary branding. This is a mechanical chronograph whose unusual display has a genuine connection to the practical demands of instrument watches.
A Space Chronograph With a Remarkable History
The Sinn 140 series occupies a distinctive position in the history of mechanical watches used in space.
On October 30, 1985, Space Shuttle Challenger launched mission STS-61-A, carrying the German D1 Spacelab mission. Among the crew was physicist and astronaut Reinhard Furrer, who wore his personal Sinn 140 S chronograph.
His watch was powered by the Lemania 5100, an automatic chronograph movement recognized for its unconventional central minute counter.
What made the mission significant for Sinn was the operation of the watch in weightlessness. Automatic mechanical watches rely on a moving rotor to wind their mainsprings, raising an interesting practical question about their operation without gravity.
Furrer’s Sinn functioned during the mission, demonstrating that the movements of an astronaut’s wrist could continue to wind the mechanism in microgravity.
Importantly, the watch was not part of an official scientific testing program. Its successful operation was a real-world observation rather than a controlled experiment conducted specifically to validate the movement.
The story nevertheless became a defining part of Sinn’s identity.
In 1992, astronaut Klaus-Dietrich Flade carried a Sinn 142 S during the Mir-92 mission. Another Sinn 142 S accompanied the German D2 Spacelab mission aboard Columbia in 1993.
These connections gave Sinn’s instrument chronographs a place in spaceflight history that extends beyond their aviation-inspired appearance.
The new 140 A S Anniversary builds directly on that heritage.
The Sinn 140 A S Anniversary Has a Distinctive Black Case
The anniversary edition uses the established cushion-shaped 140 case, measuring 44mm in diameter and 15.5mm thick.
Constructed from stainless steel, the case combines satin-finished and polished surfaces beneath a black hard coating.
That finishing combination is one of the main distinctions between this edition and the regular-production Sinn 140 St S, which has a more uniformly utilitarian appearance.
Sinn applies its proprietary TEGIMENT surface-hardening treatment beneath the black coating. By hardening the steel surface, the process provides a more resilient foundation for the coating and improves resistance to scratches.
That does not make the case scratchproof, but it is a meaningful engineering feature rather than merely a decorative finish.
The sapphire crystal receives anti-reflective treatment on both sides, while a solid screw-fastened caseback carries an engraving commemorating the D1 Spacelab mission.
Sinn also incorporates two of its established technical systems:
- Ar-Dehumidifying Technology: Designed to reduce moisture inside the case and minimize internal fogging.
- D3-System: A specialized construction for the crown and chronograph pushers intended to improve resistance to external stresses and moisture ingress.
Water resistance is rated to 10 bar, equivalent to a nominal 100-meter rating, and the watch is also resistant to low pressure.
These features reinforce its identity as a practical instrument chronograph, even though many buyers will be attracted primarily by its history.
A High-Contrast Dial Designed Around the Chronograph
The dial is arguably the most visually interesting part of the Sinn 140 A S Anniversary.
Against a matte black background, silver-toned subsidiary registers create a distinctive contrast. Bright yellow-orange chronograph accents introduce color without overwhelming the otherwise functional design.
The arrangement is more expressive than the standard black 140 St S while remaining unmistakably a Sinn instrument watch.
The central chronograph minute hand is particularly important. Instead of placing elapsed minutes in a small subsidiary counter, Sinn uses a large hand operating against a 60-minute scale around the dial.
The chronograph seconds and minute hands are both treated with luminous material, complementing the luminous hour markers and primary timekeeping hands.
An interior rotating pilot’s bezel adds a separate timing reference. It can be adjusted through the additional crown on the left side of the case.
This combination offers two distinct ways to measure elapsed time: the central chronograph for precise stopwatch functions and the rotating inner bezel for simpler timing tasks.
The practical advantage is readability. Larger centrally mounted hands can be easier to interpret quickly than conventional small chronograph counters.
The compromise is dial density. Between the central hands, subsidiary registers, date, and internal bezel scale, this is a visually busy watch. Buyers who prefer minimalist chronographs may find the arrangement excessive.
Sinn SZ01 Movement: Preserving the Central-Minute Concept
Inside the anniversary edition is the Sinn SZ01 automatic chronograph movement.
This caliber is based on the Valjoux 7750 architecture but incorporates substantial modifications developed by Sinn to provide a central 60-minute stopwatch display.
The distinction matters.
The original 140 S worn by Furrer used the Lemania 5100. Rather than recreate that discontinued movement, Sinn developed an alternative that preserves one of its most recognizable functional characteristics.
The SZ01 uses a jumping central minute counter, allowing elapsed minutes to be read directly from the main dial circumference.
According to Sinn’s published specifications, the movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, or 4Hz, and contains 28 jewels.
It also features hacking seconds and antimagnetic protection in accordance with DIN 8309.
The SZ01 is not exclusive to this anniversary edition. It already powers other watches in the Sinn 140 family, meaning the new release represents a distinctive interpretation of an existing technical platform rather than the introduction of an entirely new caliber.
For collectors, that is an important distinction. The historical connection and special design are the main reasons to choose this model over a regular-production 140.
Sinn 140 A S Anniversary Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Sinn Spezialuhren |
| Model | 140 A S Anniversary |
| Reference | 140.050 |
| Release | 2026, 65th anniversary edition |
| Production | 300 pieces |
| Case material | Stainless steel |
| Case finish | Polished/satinized, black hard coating over TEGIMENT-treated steel |
| Diameter | 44mm |
| Thickness | 15.5mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 46mm, according to WatchBuys |
| Lug width | 22mm |
| Weight | 118g without strap |
| Crystal | Sapphire, anti-reflective on both sides |
| Caseback | Solid, screw-fastened, commemorative engraving |
| Movement | Sinn SZ01 automatic chronograph |
| Frequency | 28,800 vph (4Hz) |
| Jewels | 28 |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, chronograph, central 60-minute counter |
| Additional feature | Rotating interior pilot’s bezel |
| Water resistance | 100m / 10 bar |
| Special technologies | TEGIMENT, Ar-Dehumidifying, D3-System |
| Strap and bracelet | Black/yellow leather strap and black-coated steel bracelet |
| Warranty | 3 years |
| German price | €5,490 |
| US listed price | $6,980 |
Specifications are based on Sinn’s published technical information and its authorized North American distributor. Prices were checked on October 27, 2026.
How Does It Compare With the Regular Sinn 140 St S?
Although the anniversary model references a watch from 1985, it is not a completely new design.
Sinn already produces the 140 St S, which shares the same basic cushion-case architecture, central-minute chronograph concept, and many of the brand’s technical features.
There is also another historical connection worth recognizing.
Sinn previously released a limited-edition 140 A around 2012–2013, featuring silver-toned subsidiary registers and the SZ01 movement. That version was ultimately limited to 500 pieces.
The 2026 anniversary model therefore revisits an earlier special-edition design as well as the original spaceflight story.
The principal differences are its specially finished black case and bracelet, anniversary details, yellow-accented leather strap, commemorative engraving, and 300-piece production limit.
In the United States, WatchBuys lists the regular black 140 St S on a bracelet for $6,670, compared with $6,980 for the anniversary edition.
That represents a $310 premium at the listed prices.
Considering that the anniversary package includes both a coated steel bracelet and a leather strap, the additional cost is relatively modest within this price category.
However, buyers expecting a newly developed movement or significantly upgraded mechanical performance will not find those changes here.
Size, Wearability, and Everyday Ownership
At 44mm across and 15.5mm thick, the Sinn 140 A S Anniversary is a substantial mechanical chronograph.
Its cushion-shaped case and relatively short 46mm lug-to-lug measurement, as listed by WatchBuys, may help moderate its wrist presence. Nevertheless, case thickness and overall weight remain important considerations.
The 118g figure applies to the watch head without a strap. The steel bracelet will add further weight.
Buyers with smaller wrists should ideally try the watch before purchasing rather than relying on diameter alone.
There is also a practical consideration surrounding its black coating. Although TEGIMENT provides enhanced surface hardness, accidental damage to a coated case may be more visually noticeable than comparable wear on unfinished stainless steel.
The supplied leather strap provides a useful alternative to the heavier bracelet, while the bracelet’s fine-adjustment mechanism should help buyers achieve a more precise fit.
Without firsthand testing, however, its actual comfort, clasp operation, and balance on different wrists remain unverified.
Sinn 140 A S Anniversary Price and Availability
Sinn prices the 140 A S Anniversary at €5,490 in Germany, while WatchBuys lists the watch for $6,980 in the United States.
Production is limited to 300 individually numbered pieces.
The official Sinn product page displayed an out-of-stock notice with a nine-week delivery estimate when checked on October 27, 2026. WatchBuys offered a reservation option rather than confirming immediate shipment.
Actual availability may vary by country and distributor.
The anniversary presentation set includes the watch, a black-and-yellow leather strap, a black-coated stainless-steel bracelet with fine length adjustment, a strap-changing tool, spare spring bars, and a commemorative brochure.
For current information, visit the official Sinn 140 A S Anniversary product page or the WatchBuys US listing.
Is the Sinn 140 A S Anniversary Worth Considering?
The Sinn 140 A S Anniversary makes its strongest argument through the combination of functional design and documented history.
Its association with the 1985 D1 Spacelab mission is not a retrospective marketing invention. A predecessor was genuinely worn in space, and the central-minute chronograph concept remains a defining element of the modern watch.
The SZ01 movement, hardened case, moisture-management technology, and rotating internal bezel also give it considerable substance beyond its commemorative appearance.
Its limitations are equally clear. The case is large and thick, the movement is not newly developed for the occasion, and the black coating will not appeal to everyone.
For collectors interested in Sinn’s spaceflight legacy, the silver-register dial, distinctive finishing, and limited production make this one of the more interesting expressions of the 140 family.
For buyers primarily concerned with functionality, the regular Sinn 140 St S remains a sensible alternative.
Ultimately, this anniversary edition succeeds not by reinventing the space chronograph, but by preserving what made it unusual in the first place: a remarkably legible timing system, uncompromising instrument-watch engineering, and a genuine connection to mechanical watchmaking in space.