192,842 nautical miles in 38 years – a proud legacy
Commissioned in 1973, submarine U 18 achieved an impressive record: 192,842 nautical miles, meticulously documented by a former crew member. This astonishing figure equals about nine journeys around the globe! After its decommissioning, Sinn Spezialuhren acquired material from the submarine’s outer hull, using it to craft the heart of a unique, limited-edition diving watch. Limited to 1,000 pieces, the watch case is made from high-strength, seawater-resistant steel sourced directly from the U 18 submarine. This makes the submarine not only the namesake of model U18 but also an exclusive material source—and a timeless link to an unforgettable era in German submarine history.
Anniversary: 20 years of diving watches made of submarine steel
Sinn Spezialuhren has a special, long-standing relationship with submarines. The company has been using submarine steel for its diving watches for two decades - convinced by its exceptional performance. The special grade of steel developed by ThyssenKrupp for the outer hulls of the Type 206 submarine and the world’s latest non-nuclear Type 212 submarines has formed the basis of all of our U series since 2005. It is supplied as a semi-finished product with the required dimensions and structural properties and is therefore free of any signs of use.
Maritime history on your wrist
The steel of model U18 sets itself apart in one key aspect: this base material had previously clocked up decades of naval use, and that’s what makes it so special! The professional, meticulously intricate finishing by the Saxony-based watchmaking technology company Sächsische Uhrentechnologie GmbH Glashütte (SUG) ensures that it meets our stringent requirements without losing its true identity. The result? A diving watch forged from history, bringing the very soul of naval history to the wrist. Adding to this experience is an engraved steel blank from the original submarine U 18, included with the watch.
All eyes on the high-gloss dial
The U18´s anti-reflective sapphire crystal guarantees exceptional clarity and provides an optimal view of the high-gloss dial, which echoes the mesmerising blue nuances of the ocean. The dark bluish green base tone portrays the esoteric expanse of the open sea from a depth of around thirty metres, alluding to the operating range of the U 18 submarine, which was able to dive to depths of up to 100 metres. Stylised air bubbles that symbolise the rising air bubbles underscore the three-dimensional effect with metallic blues and greens. This variance brings a unique touch to the dial and catches the eye with an intriguing stereoscopic effect. As a historical memoir of the power of submarines, the dial features the number of nautical miles travelled and the U 18´s type designation. The case back is adorned with a matching silhouette of the Type 206 submarine. The U18 has been tested according to European diving equipment standards and certified by an independent institute, ensuring its durability and reliability.
Key Features:
- Limited to 1,000 pieces
- Case made of high-strength, seawater-resistant satinised German Submarine Steel from the decommissioned U 16 submarine
- Bezel with TEGIMENT Technology and therefore especially scratch-resistant
- Captive diver’s bezel with minute ratcheting
- Tested based on European diving equipment standards and certified by an
- independent institute
- Water-resistant and pressure-resistant to 2,000 m diving depth (= 200 bar), certified by an independent institute
- Crown at 4 o’clock to prevent pressure on the back of the hand
- Sapphire crystal
- Low pressure resistant
