Sinn 556 - References, Prices and Owners' Reviews

Sinn 556 is a model launched in 2008, conceived as a simple, legible German tool-watch rooted in the brand’s cockpit instruments: a clean dial (556 I with indices, 556 A with 3-6-9-12), a 38.5 mm satin-steel case, sapphire crystals front/back and a screw-down crown for 200 m water-resistance. Now driven by Sellita’s SW200-1 automatic (earlier ETA 2824-2), the 556 targets everyday versatility (office/weekend) rather than extreme specialization, prioritizing clarity, sturdiness and compact ergonomics.

Design & legibility: the model’s identity

The 556 distills Sinn’s “instrument” DNA: bold baton hands, crisp markers (or quarter-hour numerals on the A), a precise minute track and a very open dial impression thanks to the thin bezel; the black can be matte (A) or slightly glossy (I), with occasional colorful series broadening the palette, such that the signature is a no-nonsense face where every marking serves readability.

Case, strap and daily comfort

The 38.5 mm satin-steel case (≈ 45.5 mm lug-to-lug; 20 mm lugs) wears controlled and confident, brings 200 m/20 bar (DIN 8310) and dual-AR sapphire front with a sapphire display back; on fine-link steel or leather/rubber, the watch stays planted thanks to straight lugs and low mass, meaning the 556 is equally happy on tight steel or supple leather without sacrificing clarity.

Movement: architecture, performance and care

Early 556s used ETA’s 2824-2, now replaced by Sellita’s SW200-1 (4 Hz, about 38–41 h) with hacking and hand-wind; Sinn regulates and seals its watches (screw-down crown), so a 4–6-year service cadence suits normal wear, with a pressure test whenever seals are changed, and the SW200-1 plus Sinn construction delivers steady accuracy with instant setting.

Timeline & main models (2008–2025)

(2008) Sinn 556 “First Series”:

The 556 debuts as the instrumental gateway: 38.5 mm satin case, black baton-index dial, date at 3, ETA 2824-2 and 200 m WR. The concept: a go-anywhere tool that’s less “technical” than a U-Series diver yet dressier than a pilot chronograph, with a sapphire back to showcase the mechanics. Alternating leather or steel bracelets, this blueprint anchors the entire family, and a practical umbrella identifier is Sinn 556.

(2011) Sinn 556 I “Indices”:

Applied markers and a slightly glossy black dial with date at 3, pushing the “sport-elegant” angle; the uncluttered look—no verbose text—makes it an easy daily, while the sapphire back flatters the movement. The compact footprint slips under cuffs and pairs naturally with smooth leather or tidy steel. For catalog mapping, commercial materials often fold this into Sinn 556 I.

(2011) Sinn 556 A “3-6-9-12”:

“Cockpit” reading: quarter-hour numerals, matte black contrast and luminous blocks/hands; identical dimensions and WR, this A speaks to fans of functional graphics while remaining shirt-friendly on black leather. Later variants preserve the simple, effective codes, and the corresponding catalog entry is Sinn 556.

(2016) Sinn 556 Anniversary (55th Anniversary LE):

Limited to 1,000: anthracite sunburst dial with “1961–2016” replacing “AUTOMATIK”, sometimes no-date depending on series; the same 38.5 mm case, sapphire back and 20 bar rating. The goal: transpose the tool spirit into a dressier register via texture and light. Numbering sits on the rotor and wearability stays universal; reference codes vary by lot, so we list Sinn 556 Anniversary.

(2018) Sinn 556 I B “Blue Sunburst”:

A dark-blue electroplated sunburst dial (often no-date for certain runs) that exploits the 556’s restraint to deliver a brighter personality; it excels on fine-link steel at the office, while brown leather warms the look. WR and dimensions are unchanged, enabling a true one-watch approach. 

(2020) Sinn 556 I RS “Red Seconds”:

Mechanically the same as the 556 I, but with a red sweep seconds adding graphic punch and dynamic legibility; the black/white/red triad underscores the tool vibe without resorting to a rotating bezel or heavy dial text. It suits buyers wanting a subtle sport cue. A frequently cited identifier for the bracelet version is Sinn 556 I.

(2022) Sinn 556 “Color Series” (limited):

Four hues (Aquamarine, Emerald Green, Carnelian Red, Citrine Yellow), each limited to 400 pieces, retaining the 38.5 mm footprint and “daily” philosophy. These runs proved the design’s plasticity: a tool can be playful without losing clarity, and they broadened the 556’s audience significantly. 

(2025) Sinn 556 “Ice Blue / Sand / Mauve / Sage” (limited):

New pastel-guilloché dials (Ice Blue, Sand, Mauve, Sage), limited and priced above the classic black versions; same size/architecture, but a more casual-chic vibe. Aimed at wearers wanting Sinn reliability with a confident color story, they confirm the 556 as a platform for restrained expressions. 

Buying advice: size, variants, straps & uses

Wrists 15–17 cm: 38.5 mm is exactly the 556’s remit; under a cuff, thin bezel and modest thickness promote glide and discretion, hence if torn between “tool” and “dress”, the black 556 I is the safest starting point. Dual-AR helps both indoors and outside.

Style: choose “A” if you want cockpit numerals (3-6-9-12), “I” if you prefer pure indices, and “I B/anniversary/colors” for dressier vibes; in every case, personality comes primarily from the dial, as the case is constant. It’s a superb base for a minimal rotation. Straps: fine-link steel gives solidity and all-round use, smooth leather softens the watch in formal contexts and rubber boosts outdoor readiness; keeping two straps genuinely transforms a 556 across your week. Mind the 20 mm lug width to expand options.

Technical: if you rarely time things and want a reliable daily, the 556 covers it; 200 m and a screw-down crown handle real life (rain, occasional pool), and a biennial pressure test safeguards the long haul. The SW200-1 services widely at sensible cost.

Conclusion

A compact, crystal-clear instrument, the Sinn 556 is for wearers wanting a “do-it-all” tool watch: readable, robust, everywhere-ready and easy to tune via dials/straps. Pick the face (A vs I), then tone (sober vs expressive), and add a second strap to widen use-cases; to refine your pick, Dialicious customer reviews remain a helpful checkpoint for comfort, readability and everyday reliability.

(Updated September 2025)