Sinn 140/42 Chronograph

In the past few years, there has been a resurgence of interest in space and our history exploring the greatest reaches of the unknown. To enlightened collectors, watches worn by astronauts have long been a small but interesting niche. While recent events have brought a lot of focus to Omega, there are other, less talked about watches that deserve to be a part of the conversation. 

The Sinn 140/142 is one of those watches. 

In 1985, a black PVD 140S donned the wrist of German astronaut Reinhard Furrer during the Spacelab D1 mission. This was the last successful mission of the Challenger, the shuttle that was tragically destroyed on its very next mission on January 28th, 1986.  

Sinn championed their involvement in the space program, clinging to the claim that they were the first automatic chronograph in space. Savvy watch-o-philes will recall that this title actually belongs to Seiko and the 6139 chronograph that accompanied astronaut Col. William Pogue during the Skylab 4 mission in 1974. Still, Sinn was able to capitalize on their presence in NASA's history, growing their visibility as an elite maker of robust and very reliable wristwatches — fully justifiable, in our opinion!

As a timepiece, the Sinn 140/142 deserves considerable accolades. The substantial, beveled case is as pleasing to observe as it is to wear, its heft shielding the automatic chronograph unit from shocks and fluctuations in pressure and temperature. Inside, the Lemania 5100 drivetrain powers an array of highly useful functions: The most notable feature of the 5100 is the sweeping minute totalizing hand (usually denoted by the arrow tip) that allows for an accurate and easy read — unlike smaller sub-dial minute counters.  

In addition, the 5100 offers an hour counter at 6:00, a running second at 9:00, and a 24-hour indicator at 12:00 — incredibly handy functions for any purpose-built chrono.  The day/date window at 3:00 with quickset functionality (engaged by pulling the crown out to the first stop and rotating clockwise for the date, counterclockwise for day) is a practical addition for daily wear. and the internal rotating bezel (operated via the crown at 10:00) provides auxiliary time recording functionality.  

This particular 142 is an excellent find: Housed in a 44mm brushed stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal, a signed crown, a crown for operation of the inner timing bezel, and dual barrel pushers, it features a matte black Tritium dial with a triple-register chronograph display, day-date displays at 3 o’clock, and a matching handset with an orange-tipped, central minute chronograph hand. 

Powered by the famed Lemania Calibre 5100 automatic chronograph movement, it comes paired to a stainless steel multi-link bracelet with a signed, folding clasp, and a caseback engraved “1st Automatic Chronograph In Space.”

Robust, no-nonsense, and mechanically fascinating, this is a tool watch that needs to be worn to be fully appreciated.

Give it a look!