In 2020, Oris and Sinn released smaller versions of their popular diver's watches, the Aquis Date and U50. How well do these newcomers, measuring 41mm and 41.5mm in diameter, perform? Let's compare the two models and see how they perform.
Text by Jens Koch
Edited by Yuzo Takeishi
Published October 2021, 2
Direct comparison of the Oris Aquis Date and the Sinn U50
The 2020 release of the Sinn U50 was advertised with the tagline "Honey, I shrunk the U1." At the same time, Oris released a smaller version of the Aquis Date. Fortunately, these new models aren't as tiny as the kids in the 1989 film Honey, I Shrunk the Kids. And rest assured, the larger models (the 44mm Sinn U1 and the 43.5mm Oris Aquis Date) remain in the brand's catalog.
The era of oversized watches is over, and now the trend is toward more moderately sized timepieces. Sinn and Oris have taken a stab at this trend with the 41mm U50, the test model we're using here, and the 41.5mm Aquis Date. They're responding to customer demand for smaller diver's watches. In fact, these smaller models, released in 20, have their advantages: they're comfortable to wear, not top-heavy, and with the U50's case thickness at just 11.15mm, they're less likely to be bumped into something.
Contrasting looks: matte gin, sparkling Oris
However, the two models are very different in appearance. The Sinn features a bead-blasted case and strap, and the crown is set at 4 o'clock. The dial is styled like an instrument, with the contrast between the matte black background and the luminous material making it easy to read. There's nothing flashy about it, and each element serves a practical purpose. This makes the U50 instantly recognizable as a professional tool watch.
The Oris, on the other hand, features a sunburst blue dial with alternating polished and satin-finished surfaces. The rotating bezel features a polished ceramic scale, which, along with the polished hands and indexes, sparkles in the sunlight. While Sinn is focusing on providing every possible feature to make it the ideal companion for divers, Oris is aiming for a timepiece that can also be used on land. After all, even with a diver's watch, it's clear that most of your time will be spent on land.
What about water resistance, the key to a diver's watch?
The conceptual differences between these two models are also reflected in their functionality. While the Oris's 300m water resistance is sufficient, the Sinn boasts a significantly higher water resistance of 500m. The U50 has also been certified by DNV GL, one of the world's largest marine classification and certification organizations, as a diving tool that complies with European diving equipment standards. The U50's sapphire crystal is anti-reflective on both sides, making it extremely clear. The Aquis Date's domed crystal, on the other hand, is anti-reflective on the inside, but the surface is reflective, meaning that the scenery behind it may be reflected when checking the time.
The two models also differ in their case characteristics. Like several of their other models, Sinn uses steel from Germany's most advanced submarines. This material is resistant to saltwater, making it ideal for a diving watch case. Furthermore, like the U1, the U50 uses Tegiment technology on its rotating bezel, which hardens the surface. This not only keeps the price of the watch down, but also makes the bezel cover the case, acting as a protective shield and preventing almost all scratches.
So, I actually used a hardened steel screwdriver to try and scratch it with as much force as I could, but even under a magnifying glass there was no sign of it. Sinn also incorporates other unique technologies into the bezel. They use a special fastening system that securely fastens the ring at the top of the bezel with three small screws, so that it won't come off the middle part even if it receives a strong impact.
Oris combines an easily polished 316L stainless steel case with a scratch-resistant ceramic diving scale. The crown guard is attached with a Y-shaped screw rather than being integrated into the case, giving it a very cool look.
