When you need a serious watch for a serious job, few brands out-pace Sinn for hard-wearing watches that can keep up with even the most demanding of conditions. Announced at Baselworld last year, this is the Sinn EZM 9, a TESTAF certified pilots watch that is the ultimate expression of Sinn’s three hand models. Designed to be capable, legible, and nearly invincible, the Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF is the watch equivalent of speaking softly whilst carrying a big stick.
Launched in the early 90’s, Sinn’s EZM moniker loosely translates to “Mission Timer.” While Sinn doesn’t exactly make any watches that I would describe as whimsical or delicate, the EZM line takes the Sinn ethos to its logical end point. While the Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF is the sort of watch you could comfortably wear any day of the week for decades on end, I bet it would be just as comfortable on a summit bit of Everest.
When I hear the term “tool watch,” I inevitably think of one of two archetypes – a vintage Rolex Submariner (tool watch genesis) and modern Sinn models like the U1, the 857 UTC or this Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF. The Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF’s specs speak for themselves, starting with a 44 mm titanium case with TEGIMENT scratch resistance and a bead-blasted finish. The Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF is 200m water resistant and DIN 8310 compliant, along with being shock resistant to DIN 8308 and anti-magnetic to DIN 8309. Both the crystal and the bezel insert are sapphire, and the bezel itself uses Sinn’s captive system that secures the bezel from being knocked off or rattled loose.
Being a TESTAF certified pilots watch, the Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF is low pressure resistant and can function in temperature extremes including -45C to +80C (-49F to +112F). The Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF is also protected against humidity (which could cause the crystal to fog) thanks to Sinn’s AR-Dehumdifying technology that uses a combination of drying capsules, EDR seals, and protective gas fillings to ensure the interior of the watch case is kept dry and the crystal clear of fog (Sinn’s full explanation here).
The Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF uses a Sellita SW 200 automatic movement which is basically an alternative to the common but capable ETA 2824. Hours, minutes, seconds, and a date display at three, the SW 200 uses 26 jewels and runs at 4Hz. As Sinn didn’t exactly hold back on other technologies in the Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF, the use of a more expensive movement would likely cause its already considerable list price to sky rocket. Besides, what the Sellita might lack in bragging rights, it more than makes up for in reliability, simplicity, and ease of service.
Available on leather, silicone, or a matching bracelet, the Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF starts at hefty $3940. While that price tag is in the upper range for a three hander with a third party movement, Sinn doesn’t make cheap watches, and no corners will have been cut in the design and production of the Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF. So yes, it is a bit on the spendy side, but the Sinn EZM 9 TESTAF offers a very capable package and is a great example of a modern tool watch. Sinn.de