Sinn 356 - References, Prices and Owners' Reviews

Sinn 356 is a model launched in 1996, a compact “Flieger” chronograph derived from the 256 streamlined for Japan: ~38.5 mm steel case, day/date, triple registers and cockpit aesthetics, first with acrylic crystal and later in sapphire (Sa) form; water resistance is rated to 10 bar, the crown screws down, and current variants run Sellita’s SW500/510 (7750 lineage), making the 356 one of Frankfurt’s enduring success stories.

Design & legibility: the model’s identity

The 356 targets instant “cockpit” read-out: matte-black dial, crisp minute track, lume-rich baton/syringe hands and markers, anchored by a tri-compax layout and day/date at 3 o’clock; paired with compact 38.5 mm sizing and stark white-on-black graphics, you get a dial that’s calm yet purposeful, so readability holds up in bright sun, cabin light or night conditions.

Case, bracelet and daily comfort

The steel case (bead-blasted or satin/polished depending on version) measures about 38.5 mm across, ~15–15.6 mm tall with ~45–46 mm lug-to-lug and 20 mm lugs; “Acrylic” uses a domed Hesalite, “Sa” a double-AR domed sapphire with a display back—all 10-bar and low-pressure resistant—meaning the 356 wears short and flat, cuff-friendly yet with pleasing wrist presence.

Movement: architecture, performance and care

Early pieces used the ETA/Valjoux 7750; modern runs rely on Sellita SW500 (day/date, tri-compax) or SW510 (25th-anniversary bi-compax/no date), 4 Hz with hacking and automatic winding. Sinn states DIN 8309 anti-magnetism and DIN 8310 water-resistance, such that periodic pressure checks plus 4–6-year services keep accuracy and sealing in good order.

Timeline & main models (1996–2025)

(1996) Sinn 356 Flieger (launch, acrylic):

Derived from the 256, the 356 debuts with a matte black Flieger dial, 38.5 mm case, acrylic dome, solid back and 10-bar sealing, using a screw-down crown and classic pushers; the clear day/date at 3 and strict typography lock in the line’s readability. Compact sizing and contrast make it a natural option versus larger pilot chronos. 

(2001) Sinn 356 Jubiläumsuhr (anniversary series):

A commemorative variant within the line, keeping the fundamentals (38.5 mm, 10 bar, cockpit look) with specific dial/trim details; it underlines the model’s early-2000s traction. Mechanically it leans on the automatic 7750 with day/date, as robust and serviceable as they come. 

(2002) Sinn 356 Pilot UTC:

A travel-minded take adding a 12-hour second-zone indication while preserving compact case and legibility; the same 10-bar rating and ergonomics apply. It sat in the catalogue for years before the range was trimmed. 

(2006) Sinn 356 Sa Pilot (sapphire, display back):

The “Sa” configuration arrives with a double-AR domed sapphire and sapphire back, satinised case, still 38.5 mm, 10 bar and DIN 8309 anti-magnetism; today it’s the most widely distributed modern 356. The engine is now SW500 with day/date at 3. 

(2006) Sinn 356 Sa Pilot II (copper guilloché dial):

A copper electroplated guilloché dial adds a dressier note without changing specs: sapphire crystals, display back, 10 bar, 38.5 mm and day/date; a characterful long-running alternative to the black Flieger. 

Conclusion

The Sinn 356 is for anyone seeking a compact, legible, robust pilot’s chronograph that moves from “imagined cockpit” to office with ease: 38.5 mm format, 10-bar sealing, crisp finishing and proven mechanics. To choose, start with the face (black Flieger, copper Pilot II, bi-compax Anniversary), pick your crystal (acrylic charm vs sapphire practicality), then confirm the short-wearing stance and clear read-out on wrist; to validate beyond specs, lean on Dialicious customer reviews for comfort and long-term impressions.

(Updated October 2025)