Bell & Ross BR-X1 Carbone Forgé 'Skeletonized' Chronograph

Few individuals have done more for the development of the modern tool watch than Helmut Sinn. A renowned pilot and flight instructor, Sinn founded his eponymous company in Germany in 1961 and would go on to design some of the world’s most utilitarian chronograph and dive watches for specialized purposes. Though he sold the company in the 1990s after more than 30 years of continuous operations, Sinn’s own clock went on ticking until the age of 102.

Initially focusing on the manufacture of pilot’s chronographs and clocks, Sinn operated by a unique (for the time) direct sales model, whereby he cut out the retailer and middleman and was able to offer competitive pricing. In the 1980s the firm took on the service contract for the Heuer-produced 1550 SG flyback chronograph issued to the German Budeswehr — today, it’s possible to find models at auction or on the secondary market with Sinn-signed replacement dials.

Sinn’s reference 156 Military Chronograph — powered by the famed Lemania caliber 5100 — did not win a military tender for supply to NATO and BUND forces. (That honor would go to Porsche Design/Orfina for its reference 7177.) However, the chunky reference 140 (also powered by the caliber 5100) did accompany German astronaut Reinhard Furrer into orbit on the Spacelab D1 mission in 1985.

Following Helmut Sinn’s sale of the company to engineer Lothar Schmidt in 1994, Sinn would begin supplying specialized military kit of its own. In 1997, the company released the EZM1, a unique, left-handed chronograph with a central minutes counter that was adopted by the Zentrale Unterstützungsgruppe Zoll, a tactical unit of Germany’s Customs Service. (The newer EZM 2B was subsequently adopted by GSG9’s diving unit — a special force within the tactical unit of the German Federal Police.)

More recently, in 2005, the company released the U1, a professional dive watch made with submarine steel that featured a 1,000-meter depth rating. (2020’s U50 downsized the gargantuan 44mm case to a more manageable 41mm, attracting plaudits internationally.)
Today, Sinn continues to manufacture no-nonsense chronographs, dive watches, and even dress timepieces that earn the respect of watch consumers and professionals worldwide.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.