U1 and the U2

[Zonda]

Ok guys I've been lurking here for some time now and I'm at the closing stages of persuading myself to buy a U1 or U2 or UX SDR, as you can see I'm still procrastinating like a kid in a lolly shop

I have just one question, ok two....
Has anyone found the ETA movements (both the Quartz and Auto) to wear prematurely from the extra force needed to move the hands through the silicon oil, i've read of other watch companies selecting stronger more robust movements to power the larger hands on dive watches and have wondered on the effects of the oil on the hands straining the movement.

The second question is has anyone had an issue with the oil yellowing or turning the dial/lume yellow. The reason i ask is this Hydro (second hand) is for sale at the moment and appears that the oil or the lume has yellowed.

[Pasquale]

I've never seen that u1. There's plenty of sinn owners here that can help you.
Welcome to DWC

[el presidente]

Welcome to dwc:)
I think they use another oil now(dont turn yellow) and the battery life is 7 years, no?
Not sure when they switched the oil though

[DMB]

I can speak for the U2 and say that it is one bad ass watch. Period. I wish I didn't have to flip mine to finance another. As far as the U1, you will find many fans of it here. The Hydro is also on my list. I've never seen the one you posted, so it may have to do with older oils, etc. I've never seen a modern one yellowed.

[BBK357]

Ive never seen that U1, that looks really cool. Vintage Sinn? awesome

[Dedalus]

Welcome.

[Chauncy7]

Welcome.

I never had any issue with Sinn movements (did have one that got magnetized somehow). Sinn did switch the UX fluid (not sure how long ago) to prevent the "yellowing effect". Also, the newer UX models have a different crown system (non-screw down/up). Tuff choice between the U1, U2, UX so I would just really think about what you "need" instead of "want". Do you need the timezones (U2)? Do you want a quartz (UX)? etc., etc.

Good luck with your choice.

[Zonda]

Thanks for everyone for replying, I've done some more research and this yellowing of the fluid and lume has as "Chauncy7" states been rectified in the newer watches, it's strange i thought that the yellowing may not be such a big issue this was until i found a post on another forum that showed the before and after effects of replacing the dial, hand and fluid HUGE difference.
The second time zone function of the U2 is a nicety, but as I don't travel far from my own time zone, (and i have a nice Seiko that fills that role) this would just be an added function, seldom used. So it comes down to the accuracy of the Quartz or the smooth sweeping hand and old world charm of the U1. I do love the crown at 10 o'clock on the UX

My SeaMaster duel time zone


I'll be in KL (Kuala Lumpur) for christmas so may just find the local dealer and try them on for size this way at least they will be in my hand and I'll have a harder time giving them back My wife is sick and tired of me showing her pictures of them, so she'll want an outcome there and then

Pictures shamelessly stolen from the web

[Zonda]

Welcome.

I never had any issue with Sinn movements (did have one that got magnetized somehow). Sinn did switch the UX fluid (not sure how long ago) to prevent the "yellowing effect". Also, the newer UX models have a different crown system (non-screw down/up). Tuff choice between the U1, U2, UX so I would just really think about what you "need" instead of "want". Do you need the timezones (U2)? Do you want a quartz (UX)? etc., etc.

Good luck with your choice.

Thanks for the reply, just one question on the crown for the UX, what system do they use instead of the accepted screw in/out one?
On the Australia dealers web site he states.....On the UX SDR (GSG9)

"Another important feature is the fact that the screw-in crown has been moved to the left side of the case to 9 o'clock, ensuring optimal freedom of wrist movement, especially when a wet suit is being worn"

Is this incorrect or needs better explaining

[Chauncy7]

Welcome.

I never had any issue with Sinn movements (did have one that got magnetized somehow). Sinn did switch the UX fluid (not sure how long ago) to prevent the "yellowing effect". Also, the newer UX models have a different crown system (non-screw down/up). Tuff choice between the U1, U2, UX so I would just really think about what you "need" instead of "want". Do you need the timezones (U2)? Do you want a quartz (UX)? etc., etc.

Good luck with your choice.

Thanks for the reply, just one question on the crown for the UX, what system do they use instead of the accepted screw in/out one?
On the Australia dealers web site he states.....On the UX SDR (GSG9)

"Another important feature is the fact that the screw-in crown has been moved to the left side of the case to 9 o'clock, ensuring optimal freedom of wrist movement, especially when a wet suit is being worn"

Is this incorrect or needs better explaining

That crown location (10:00) is only on the UX GSG9 models. The new crown system (or non-screw type) is called the D3-System. Here is a brief description (from Sinn).

Crown shaft is mounted directly in a fine-finished case aperture, creating a perfect seal to the case.
In conventional designs, the push-piece pin and crown shaft are mounted in the case hole inside a tube insert. The required tube seal not only represents an additional potential source of gas diffusion (see Ar-Dehumidifying Technology), but careless handling can also lead to loss of water resistance with this design. This is because the push-piece pin and the crown shaft can bend in the tube if exposed to lateral knocks, permitting moisture to penetrate. This is a risk which also exists in screw-fastened crowns and push-pieces when they are unscrewed to make an adjustment.
The D3-System permits the crown and push-piece to be integrated in the case, providing reliable protection from lateral knocks and the penetration of dust or moisture.