Hello, for anyone watching in 2022, as of late (I believe late 2020 or 2021) the Sinn fine link bracelet has changed. They have now made the fine link bracelet slightly thicker and fitted it with the hex screws. I prefer the hex screws so it’s a nice update
If the fine link is thicker then the watch wearing lighter gets a bit negated. With lack of micro adjustment, this pushes me towards getting the H Link bracelet. Thanks!
Bracelets, what bracelets? My eyes were glued to that mesmerising blue dial. I'm gonna buy one of these! I think it puts the blue dial Tudor BB to shame, esp. considering the price!
I got the blue dial on the fine link bracelet. Bracelet is really nice but lack of micro adjustment makes it a gamble to get a perfect fit. Mine wears slightly to tight which won over being sloppily loose. They need to improve the design with either half links or micro adjustment option ....
Leaning toward the 556a the 3-6-9-12 numerals are iconic to watch nerds. I do love the inky black of the 556i too though. As far as the bracelets H Link all the way, I don't really like butterfly bracelets, can't go too far wrong with either imo. Thanks for the comparison video it sure is nice to see them next to each other.
The older style original H-link bracelet had links which were the same thickness as the current Fine Link model, as they used single slotted screws (like the current Fine Link model) and were a pain in the arse, as you could mash up the heads really easily if you didn't use good technique and decent screwdrivers. When Sinn made the switch to hex screws on the H-link bracelet, they made the links much thicker to accommodate them. Giving it a more substantial feel and look in the process. My Sinn 356 came with the older, thinner H-Link bracelet and I also use it on my 556i. I find it gives a tool watch vibe, but retains a sense of refinement that the newer, thicker H-Link bracelet lacks, as it highlights the slim case of the 556.
I just got the 556i, and I'm not thrilled with the H link bracelet. The clasp is large and has an extension. That I don't get. It's not a dive watch, and I'd rather they had put extra micro adjustment holes on the clasp, or had used a tool less adjustment system. As such, I'm between sizes. It's just a tad too snug on the tightest micro adjustment, but if I take out a link (-10mm) and move two spaces to the largest micro adjustment (+6mm), it's a 4mm difference, and it's just a bit too loose. An extra micro adjustment hole would have been perfect for me. Honestly, if a manufacturer is going to have 10mm links and 3mm micro adjustments, they should have at least 4 micro adjustment positions. Half links would be an easy solution as well. I'm going to make a cultural stereotype here, but I feel like Germans make things just a little differently and unnecessarily complex, just because. The bracelet uses hex screws that go in on each side, one with female threads and one with male threads. This requires two hex keys to remove links, and it's a little cumbersome. It reminds me of all the oddities I encountered helping work on my friend's Audi and VW cars.
I have a Marinemaster and a speedy pro so think I prefer the IB on fine link as it would add more to what I have (two tool watches) at a decent price. I love blue dials and the option to have a Japanese, Swiss and German watch is cool too You just sold me on the Sinn!
Great demonstration of the differences - I wasn't aware the Fine Link bracelet was thinner/lighter. A Sinn 556 I is on my To-Do list (a bit further down the road).
Great review. I just experienced my first H-link bracelet when I was able to buy one of the latest batch of Armida's A12 "62 MAS" homage. Great vintage style piece. You should seek one out. Cheers.
Hey there, I enjoyed the video, but there was one element that you didn't cover; micro-adjustments. The H-link has (3 I think) micro-adjustments on the clasp, what about the 5-link? Does it use half links? I ask as I like a snug, not too tight and not too loose fit on the wrist. Thanks!
I can definitely understand how you ended up with both. Really hard to choose. I still lean toward the classic A version, though. I feel like the legibility is unbeatable and since I'm a t-shirt and jeans kinda guy, I prefer the less refined aesthetic. On my short list once I get the PayPal funds built up.
Hi can you confirm the fine link bracelet have different size // length removable links to add sizing , it looks to be the case in pictures. Also very subjective how blue is the dial, ie navy or royal blue in daylight. Hoping to buy
Thanks for a really useful review. I want to get one of these 556's, but keep changing my mind on the variant. Presently I'm favouring the blue dial with H link bracelet. I think the blue dial is really striking, as are the hands and applied indices. I think the two black dials appear flatter because of the painted indices and numerals. I want something with a minimalist design language, utilitarian but also eye catching. Can you confirm that the H link articulation is good?
I had my eye on the 556i for around 2 years and finally decided to get it for my birthday. But then I debated for weeks between the 556i and 556i-b as I’m a sucker for blue and no date window. But in the end, the draw of the H link with that gloss black dial and super white indices & hands won me over. I absolutely love my 556i as I think it’s the more iconic Sinn. I would love to handle the 556i-b one day to see it up close and personal. It looks to be a very lovely piece but I think I really wanted a tool watch. I’m very tempted by the 856i-b as it’s a 40 mm matte navy blue dial which is my favorite color. But I don’t like the date window at the 4 and it doesn’t say Automatik. If they made an 856i-b with those changes, then it would be the perfect Sinn watch ever for me.
So I like your videos except when you get to the part where you put them on your wrist. most people wear a watch above the protuberant bones in the wrist and not right up on top of their hand. It looks so weird to me ...no offense. But can you wear the watch like everyone else does almost looks like you’re hiding your wrists for some reason. I mean, I don’t know why am reacting to this but it just looks very awkward the way you wear your watch .
I've just bought the 556ib on the H-link, and I'm really glad that I did so. I think that the fine link dresses it up too much and makes it look a bit big for a 38.5
Dive watch vs. Pilot watch? Not sure how much sense it would make to compare two watches that aren't intuitively being cross shopped against each other, sorry
What is so great about a stamped clasp with only 3 micro-adjust positions on a $1,500 watch? Yes, part of the clasp is milled, but not where it counts. Sinn took the cheap way out. There's nothing "fine" about it. They should have made the clasp milled instead of stamped and offered a more elegant way of fine-tuning the adjustment. Sinn should be embarrassed for offering something that can be found on $100 rip-off watches. Sinn used common "parts bin" components on the H-Link bracelet. At least they put some effort into the clasp on the Fine-Link bracelet. To suggest that the H-Link clasp is superior to the butterfly clasp of the Fine Link bracelet is mystifying to me. It's beyond me to understand how you could come to that conclusion. Look at the difference in price for what WatchBuys charges for the Fine-Link over the H-link. Look at the fold-over clasp of a Doxa Sub 300-T. Yes, the Doxa is $300 more, but that clasp is also available on Miltat & Strap Code. It doesn't cost that much yet is far superior to the cheap clasp used on Sinn's H-Link bracelet.
It flows with the links and doesn't overpower the bracelet or watch head. It has manual micro adjustments, which mean you can dial in the fitment over the butterfly deployant, which make it better functionally. I like milled clasps with toolless micro adjustments as the next guy but just being milled doesn't necessarily make it better. The sea of milled v-buckle clasps aren't great and usually jut out adding gaps and thickness that don't flow well aesthetically or ergonomically. Is there a more expensive solution that would be nicer, I'm sure there is but saying that because some cheap ripoff watches can have glide locks is a horrible argument as to why this clasp is so bad. No, it isn't great but it works fine and wears well. Not sure it's worth all of the outrage you're feeling. You do realize this isn't the most expensive watch without that feature, right? Some don't even come with metal bracelets and can cost hundreds of times more with a standard tang buckle, lol
As for the comparison to the ratcheting clasp from Doxa that is readily available to other brands and aftermarket bracelets, its not great and the extension is only really usable as a divers extension, in practice I wouldn't want to elongate the clasp on a hot day to secure good fit. Honestly Citizen has best executed that type of ratcheting clasp by using stamped components to reduce the bulkiness. So yeah, milled isn't always better there either.
![Average Bros [Mark Alamares]](http://yt3.ggpht.com/AMTyfBoS_HGUS5NeMIdml3FQHYPLCvE10yYPfvjGSZRfNEkgmgSJlVqPFEQ4yky_fTnRrnqQ=s48-c-k-c0x00ffffff-no-rj)
For me, these 2 watches would make the perfect 2 piece collection.
Your reviews are some of the best, man. Loving it and thanks
Would love to see the Sinn 556a vs the Sinn 104i
Hello, for anyone watching in 2022, as of late (I believe late 2020 or 2021) the Sinn fine link bracelet has changed. They have now made the fine link bracelet slightly thicker and fitted it with the hex screws. I prefer the hex screws so it’s a nice update
If the fine link is thicker then the watch wearing lighter gets a bit negated. With lack of micro adjustment, this pushes me towards getting the H Link bracelet. Thanks!
Bracelets, what bracelets? My eyes were glued to that mesmerising blue dial. I'm gonna buy one of these! I think it puts the blue dial Tudor BB to shame, esp. considering the price!
I got the blue dial on the fine link bracelet. Bracelet is really nice but lack of micro adjustment makes it a gamble to get a perfect fit. Mine wears slightly to tight which won over being sloppily loose. They need to improve the design with either half links or micro adjustment option ....
Leaning toward the 556a the 3-6-9-12 numerals are iconic to watch nerds. I do love the inky black of the 556i too though. As far as the bracelets H Link all the way, I don't really like butterfly bracelets, can't go too far wrong with either imo. Thanks for the comparison video it sure is nice to see them next to each other.
Sinn needs to get on the adjustable clasp train, but their bracelets are very nice.
Nick Shabazz thanks for watching Nick!
Hey I thought I told you "do not get into watches!" 😁
A very needed comparison - thanks bro. Love your vids
The older style original H-link bracelet had links which were the same thickness as the current Fine Link model, as they used single slotted screws (like the current Fine Link model) and were a pain in the arse, as you could mash up the heads really easily if you didn't use good technique and decent screwdrivers.
When Sinn made the switch to hex screws on the H-link bracelet, they made the links much thicker to accommodate them. Giving it a more substantial feel and look in the process.
My Sinn 356 came with the older, thinner H-Link bracelet and I also use it on my 556i. I find it gives a tool watch vibe, but retains a sense of refinement that the newer, thicker H-Link bracelet lacks, as it highlights the slim case of the 556.
The older style H-link isn't satin finished, like the current one with hex screw. Right?
@@benishan3 no, they just end up like that after years of use.
the Breitling style is just gorgeous. good review, keep it up!
Just checked the 556IB on eBay. Looks like I'll be brown bagging it to work for while. Thanks for another great review!
I would love to see a state of the collection review.
This is the video I was looking for! Want to buy one but I like both bracelets and do not know which one to choose….
I am strongly considering buying the 556i B on the finelink bracelet.
I just got the 556i, and I'm not thrilled with the H link bracelet. The clasp is large and has an extension. That I don't get. It's not a dive watch, and I'd rather they had put extra micro adjustment holes on the clasp, or had used a tool less adjustment system. As such, I'm between sizes. It's just a tad too snug on the tightest micro adjustment, but if I take out a link (-10mm) and move two spaces to the largest micro adjustment (+6mm), it's a 4mm difference, and it's just a bit too loose. An extra micro adjustment hole would have been perfect for me. Honestly, if a manufacturer is going to have 10mm links and 3mm micro adjustments, they should have at least 4 micro adjustment positions. Half links would be an easy solution as well.
I'm going to make a cultural stereotype here, but I feel like Germans make things just a little differently and unnecessarily complex, just because. The bracelet uses hex screws that go in on each side, one with female threads and one with male threads. This requires two hex keys to remove links, and it's a little cumbersome. It reminds me of all the oddities I encountered helping work on my friend's Audi and VW cars.
I have a Marinemaster and a speedy pro so think I prefer the IB on fine link as it would add more to what I have (two tool watches) at a decent price. I love blue dials and the option to have a Japanese, Swiss and German watch is cool too
You just sold me on the Sinn!
Great demonstration of the differences - I wasn't aware the Fine Link bracelet was thinner/lighter. A Sinn 556 I is on my To-Do list (a bit further down the road).
Is it true that the blue dial looks purple in certain lights?
Thanks for the excellent video. I think that watch bands and bracelets sometimes take a unnecessary back seat to the watch.
Does anyone know if the HLINK 104 works on the 556?
I have the 556i with the H-Link bracelet and love it. Can only recommend it!
Do you know the weight of both the fine link and the H-Link? I'd like a 556A on the fine link but worry about the weight compared to a strap.
Having both is really nice. I love blue dials but the 556a hands are a bit sharper especially the second hand...enjoy!
Exactly the review I was looking for!
Really like both of these, but can’t imagine my 556i B on anything but the 5 link. So get why you got both. I see a 556a with H link in my future!
Great review. I just experienced my first H-link bracelet when I was able to buy one of the latest batch of Armida's A12 "62 MAS" homage. Great vintage style piece. You should seek one out. Cheers.
Thanks man, great presentation
I like how they changed out the hands on the 556IB to be silver rather than black
Hey there, I enjoyed the video, but there was one element that you didn't cover; micro-adjustments. The H-link has (3 I think) micro-adjustments on the clasp, what about the 5-link? Does it use half links?
I ask as I like a snug, not too tight and not too loose fit on the wrist. Thanks!
I can definitely understand how you ended up with both. Really hard to choose. I still lean toward the classic A version, though. I feel like the legibility is unbeatable and since I'm a t-shirt and jeans kinda guy, I prefer the less refined aesthetic. On my short list once I get the PayPal funds built up.
Hi there!
Did five links fit on model 656?
My worry is sending my watch for servicing to Germany any thoughts.
If you purchase through WatchBuys you can have serviced under warranty via RGM here in the US.
Average Bros thnx for reply love your videos
Sinn use off the shelf ETA and Sellita movements in the majority of their watches. So they can be serviced by most decent watchmakers.
Any watch maker or services should be able to work on an eta2824- it’s probably the most common movement in use today
Hi can you confirm the fine link bracelet have different size // length removable links to add sizing , it looks to be the case in pictures. Also very subjective how blue is the dial, ie navy or royal blue in daylight. Hoping to buy
All of the links are the same size on the fine link, there aren't any half links
Thank you for your review
What is your wrist size?
What is your wrist size please? Also mannnnnn wish you threw one of these on some sailcloth and a rubber strap too!
iF the numbers and imbs were applied and the safety clasp was easier to unbuckle, would be a perf watch
Thanks for a really useful review. I want to get one of these 556's, but keep changing my mind on the variant. Presently I'm favouring the blue dial with H link bracelet. I think the blue dial is really striking, as are the hands and applied indices. I think the two black dials appear flatter because of the painted indices and numerals. I want something with a minimalist design language, utilitarian but also eye catching. Can you confirm that the H link articulation is good?
I didn't realize the hands were so much different on the "i" models.
This is the ib model. The regular i has the same hands as the a model
Now...how to decide between the 556 and 104. Decisions, decisions
Did he say "Bret-ling"... Smh. Im very glad this video exists though, thank you.
I don't do accented pronunciations, lol
Beautiful watches, but 556i H-link is perfect for me!!
I had my eye on the 556i for around 2 years and finally decided to get it for my birthday. But then I debated for weeks between the 556i and 556i-b as I’m a sucker for blue and no date window. But in the end, the draw of the H link with that gloss black dial and super white indices & hands won me over. I absolutely love my 556i as I think it’s the more iconic Sinn. I would love to handle the 556i-b one day to see it up close and personal. It looks to be a very lovely piece but I think I really wanted a tool watch.
I’m very tempted by the 856i-b as it’s a 40 mm matte navy blue dial which is my favorite color. But I don’t like the date window at the 4 and it doesn’t say Automatik. If they made an 856i-b with those changes, then it would be the perfect Sinn watch ever for me.
Uh...no links in description lol
Nice catch! Links added, thanks.
So I like your videos except when you get to the part where you put them on your wrist.
most people wear a watch above the protuberant bones in the wrist and not right up on top of their hand. It looks so weird to me ...no offense. But can you wear the watch like everyone else does almost looks like you’re hiding your wrists for some reason. I mean, I don’t know why am reacting to this but it just looks very awkward the way you wear your watch .
I've just bought the 556ib on the H-link, and I'm really glad that I did so. I think that the fine link dresses it up too much and makes it look a bit big for a 38.5
you should have swapped the bracelets just to show it
Request: please compare sinn 556i with spb143. Thx before
Dive watch vs. Pilot watch? Not sure how much sense it would make to compare two watches that aren't intuitively being cross shopped against each other, sorry
Love the Sinn H-Link bracelet... but hate / HATE the cheap arse clasp (feels like cheap tin) and is somewhat difficult to open without fingernails.
What is so great about a stamped clasp with only 3 micro-adjust positions on a $1,500 watch? Yes, part of the clasp is milled, but not where it counts. Sinn took the cheap way out. There's nothing "fine" about it. They should have made the clasp milled instead of stamped and offered a more elegant way of fine-tuning the adjustment. Sinn should be embarrassed for offering something that can be found on $100 rip-off watches. Sinn used common "parts bin" components on the H-Link bracelet. At least they put some effort into the clasp on the Fine-Link bracelet. To suggest that the H-Link clasp is superior to the butterfly clasp of the Fine Link bracelet is mystifying to me. It's beyond me to understand how you could come to that conclusion. Look at the difference in price for what WatchBuys charges for the Fine-Link over the H-link. Look at the fold-over clasp of a Doxa Sub 300-T. Yes, the Doxa is $300 more, but that clasp is also available on Miltat & Strap Code. It doesn't cost that much yet is far superior to the cheap clasp used on Sinn's H-Link bracelet.
It flows with the links and doesn't overpower the bracelet or watch head. It has manual micro adjustments, which mean you can dial in the fitment over the butterfly deployant, which make it better functionally. I like milled clasps with toolless micro adjustments as the next guy but just being milled doesn't necessarily make it better. The sea of milled v-buckle clasps aren't great and usually jut out adding gaps and thickness that don't flow well aesthetically or ergonomically. Is there a more expensive solution that would be nicer, I'm sure there is but saying that because some cheap ripoff watches can have glide locks is a horrible argument as to why this clasp is so bad. No, it isn't great but it works fine and wears well. Not sure it's worth all of the outrage you're feeling. You do realize this isn't the most expensive watch without that feature, right? Some don't even come with metal bracelets and can cost hundreds of times more with a standard tang buckle, lol
As for the comparison to the ratcheting clasp from Doxa that is readily available to other brands and aftermarket bracelets, its not great and the extension is only really usable as a divers extension, in practice I wouldn't want to elongate the clasp on a hot day to secure good fit. Honestly Citizen has best executed that type of ratcheting clasp by using stamped components to reduce the bulkiness. So yeah, milled isn't always better there either.
@@AverageBros Glad to see you monitor the comments well after your videos!
Ugly gold rotor.