I actually sold my Sarb033 to fund my Sinn 556i. Luckily I sold it to a friend so I still see it from time to time. I got the SARB around 2016 when it was much cheaper than what it goes for now. Both are great watches! I prefer the Sinn due to it’s sportiness and instrument look.
Love both. Been a Seiko fan for years have many. I'm about to buy the 556i with the red seconds hand. I feel Sinn watch are about to explode in popularity and probably price too. So get one now!
That’s great! I love my 556i. For me, it’s definitely worth paying more for the 556 over the SARb. It’s so versatile and the satin finish is just pure joy. Enjoy yours when you get it.
Very nice comparative review, you covered all the details that many reviewers miss. Keep them coming, lah! I have a white dial SARB035 and now lusting after Sinn 556A RS (red second), but it will have to wait until this economic crisis is over... Greetings from Warsaw, Poland.
Marcin Hebikan Thanks for dropping by man! I reckon a white sarb and a 556 make a great collection. And yes, let’s hope this whole crisis gets over at the fastest time.
Stephen Imsong Good observation. Yes, it’s possible that some watch fans may view that as an advantage. I must have overlooked that because i never used the date complication in my mechanical watches.
I have never held a Sarb in hand, but I have held a 556i and let me tell you.... the first thing that strikes you is unbelievable quality. I was actually in the shop to buy a cocktail time but then when I held the Sinn I was like, 'Oh. Oh no no no. I am gonna keep saving for this thing instead.'
Agree with your observation. I guess we need to look at difference in price too. The Sinn is definitely one or two notches higher in term of quality/movement but the Seiko SARB is not too shabby at that price.
Cory Keeler And you’re right! I had to go and look at the bracelet again and was surprised. Thanks for sharing. The diver’s extension definitely brings up the Sinn a notch higher.
Love this Sinn watch, and for me anyway, it’s way better than the Sarb! Seiko has price going for it, but I’ll take the Sinn in every other respect. I also don’t give a hoot that it’s not an in-house movement. Why should a watch company have to reinvent the wheel, when there’s no compelling reason to do so?
Jim V. I’ll take the Sinn too. In fact I have the Sinn. :) But with due respect, the Sarb033/035 does have a lot going on for the price. It’s strange, but the lower-end JDM models provide the best bang for the buck.
I’m Lucky becuase I have both. Sinn 556i in black And Sarb035 in white. They are my every day watches And I can only recommend them. My seiko is more accurate right now (+3sec/day) than the sinn (+7sec/day)
Smart choice, black dial reflects more light, goes better with AR coated crystal. White for Sarb035. ETA is more accurate than Seiko. Your 556I runs on ETA 2824 or Selita clone?
Great comparison and it makes me think about the following two points: The Sinn is the better watch but not as nice as the Seiko! Today the Seiko sells for about $400 US dollars versus almost 3 times that for the Sinn and the Seiko is still the nicer watch!
Bill Murphy They’re both very nice. I observed that the Seiko Sarb leans towards a dressier feel whereas the Sinn 556 has more more tool-watch vibe. I think they definitely can co-exist if budget allows.
Yeah that does not sounds like a bad Idea neither... I have a 6.75 inch wrist and that is why I have some doubts about how the Sarx will wear but it does not seem to wear that big though. Especially taking the lug to lug into consideration it seems like it might work 😅
You are making an unfair comparison. The Sinn 556 costs 3 times the Seiko Sarb033. The Sinn sure is an excellent watch but the Sarb gives you undoubtedly much much better value for money. The Seiko is also the most elegant of the two
I always thought Sinn, they do in house movement until now. In that case, no point paying extra money and for the money, I can buy better watches. Great review and love your straps choices on both. Maybe Sinn would be better looks if the kind of design you like. Thanks for video.
wayne han Thanks for dropping by. I see your point regarding the in-house movement. I would think only Nomos comes close to the Sinn’s price when we look at watches with in-house movement. But the Sinn 556 is truly magnificent for it’s specs and versatility. 200m WR and anti-mag. It is rugged enough for daily wear. 38.5mm size just perfect not too big not too small, can dress up or dress down. Looks good on any strap, bracelet, nylon, rubber or even cardboard. Superb legibility on the simple dial layout too. Actually a must-have or must-try for all watch fans.
The Sinn is far more legible, however I hate watches that have indices that are all the same. At the very least I want double at 12, ideally double also at 3, 6, and 9.
Nick K That’s a common complain from many Sinn 556i owners. At least a more distinct 12 o’clock marker would be good. But that may disrupt the clean look. Oh well, nothing’s perfect...
yoinkhaha You’ll be surprise how well the 556i can “dress up” too with a nice tapering leather strap. But i have to agree the Sarb is definitely the dressier here.
Finishing on the Sarb033 isn't as good as Sinn, and the movement isn't as accurate, or should I say erratic, some fall withn COSC, some off, depends on your luck.
Live If you were saying about internal finishing it is never the case with Japanese movement except GS. You simply cannot compare it with Swiss movement mainly because this is meant to be affordable. The Swiss and Germans like to decorate their movement as their trend and command a higher price point. Japanese tends to be more pragmatic and reliable. COSC will incur additional cost but it’s not an absolute must. Just enjoy an automatic watch as it is and especially Seiko of its heritage.
@@seanliew7343 We are comparing watches, and you're telling "you simply cannot compare it with Siwss..." Do you realize your own contradiction and bias?
Live I am afraid you are not reading me well. I am talking about watches comparing them from every aspect and from different continent. You simply cannot deny the fact that Swiss or German produce a much higher grade and detail in their timepiece. How do you compare Credor with ALS? Understand?
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I actually sold my Sarb033 to fund my Sinn 556i. Luckily I sold it to a friend so I still see it from time to time. I got the SARB around 2016 when it was much cheaper than what it goes for now. Both are great watches! I prefer the Sinn due to it’s sportiness and instrument look.
andrew razon You’re right, both are great. If budget allows, get both! :)
Love both. Been a Seiko fan for years have many. I'm about to buy the 556i with the red seconds hand. I feel Sinn watch are about to explode in popularity and probably price too. So get one now!
That’s great! I love my 556i. For me, it’s definitely worth paying more for the 556 over the SARb. It’s so versatile and the satin finish is just pure joy. Enjoy yours when you get it.
Very nice comparative review, you covered all the details that many reviewers miss. Keep them coming, lah! I have a white dial SARB035 and now lusting after Sinn 556A RS (red second), but it will have to wait until this economic crisis is over... Greetings from Warsaw, Poland.
Marcin Hebikan Thanks for dropping by man! I reckon a white sarb and a 556 make a great collection. And yes, let’s hope this whole crisis gets over at the fastest time.
Got myself a 556 I RS on H-Link and a 556 I B on fine-link.
Looking great!! The blue slightly more dressy.
Dreampair!.
Totally agree. And very envious too. Yours is indeed dream pair. Wear them in good health.
Also note the date changeover, from the video one can see the sinn is superior maintaining the 17 as it nears midnight
Stephen Imsong Good observation. Yes, it’s possible that some watch fans may view that as an advantage. I must have overlooked that because i never used the date complication in my mechanical watches.
I have never held a Sarb in hand, but I have held a 556i and let me tell you.... the first thing that strikes you is unbelievable quality. I was actually in the shop to buy a cocktail time but then when I held the Sinn I was like, 'Oh. Oh no no no. I am gonna keep saving for this thing instead.'
Agree with your observation. I guess we need to look at difference in price too. The Sinn is definitely one or two notches higher in term of quality/movement but the Seiko SARB is not too shabby at that price.
@@AndyinSG No doubt! I loooove the Sarb033 aesthetic and would no doubt love to have one... would like to see one in person!
@@yoinkhaha They’re getting harder to find these days since it’s discontinued. But used ones may bring good value propositions.
The Sinn also has a diver's extension.
Cory Keeler And you’re right! I had to go and look at the bracelet again and was surprised. Thanks for sharing. The diver’s extension definitely brings up the Sinn a notch higher.
@@AndyinSG I love that it has the extension. I have big hands and 6.5in wrists so extensions really help putting the watch on and taking it off.
@@sleepinglysithia Yea man, that's really important for people with bigger hand-to-wrist proportion. Really thanks for the insight.
In my opinion it's a comparison between Mercedes and Toyota. Both are better in their own way.
Love this Sinn watch, and for me anyway, it’s way better than the Sarb! Seiko has price going for it, but I’ll take the Sinn in every other respect. I also don’t give a hoot that it’s not an in-house movement. Why should a watch company have to reinvent the wheel, when there’s no compelling reason to do so?
Jim V. I’ll take the Sinn too. In fact I have the Sinn. :) But with due respect, the Sarb033/035 does have a lot going on for the price. It’s strange, but the lower-end JDM models provide the best bang for the buck.
Both of these are very nice watches. If I could go back in time I would have picked up a SARB instead of my skx.
RE AMEMIYA Hard to go wrong with a Seiko.:)
I’m Lucky becuase I have both. Sinn 556i in black And Sarb035 in white. They are my every day watches And I can only recommend them. My seiko is more accurate right now (+3sec/day) than the sinn (+7sec/day)
aritz arteta erviti Lucky indeed. Congrats, and wear them in good health!
Smart choice, black dial reflects more light, goes better with AR coated crystal. White for Sarb035. ETA is more accurate than Seiko. Your 556I runs on ETA 2824 or Selita clone?
Live Mine runs on the 2824. But i never really get to check for its accuracy because i never wear my mechanical watches for more than a day.
My sinn556i comes with the SW200. Not as accurate as the 6R15
aritz arteta erviti I never have the chance to find out the accuracy because I never wear them for more a day. Maybe it’s time to get a timegrapher.
Great comparison and it makes me think about the following two points: The Sinn is the better watch but not as nice as the Seiko! Today the Seiko sells for about $400 US dollars versus almost 3 times that for the Sinn and the Seiko is still the nicer watch!
Bill Murphy They’re both very nice. I observed that the Seiko Sarb leans towards a dressier feel whereas the Sinn 556 has more more tool-watch vibe. I think they definitely can co-exist if budget allows.
Sinn 556i is all round the better watch, it should compare with higher level Seiko SARX instead.
Pluto Good idea. Let’s see if I can get in a loan set.
That is exactly my thought as well, Im thinking to buy Sinn 5561 or Sarx035 ... very hard decision!!
R T Get a 556, and the SARX055. Both quite different but truly awesome. Problem solved. :)
Yeah that does not sounds like a bad Idea neither... I have a 6.75 inch wrist and that is why I have some doubts about how the Sarx will wear but it does not seem to wear that big though. Especially taking the lug to lug into consideration it seems like it might work 😅
R T I’m quite sure the SARX will work. Do it! Get both.
You are making an unfair comparison. The Sinn 556 costs 3 times the Seiko Sarb033. The Sinn sure is an excellent watch but the Sarb gives you undoubtedly much much better value for money. The Seiko is also the most elegant of the two
BTW, I forgot to mention that I own both
I guess the choice boils down to lifestyle.. cause either one is a great style for an everyday watch but one is sportier and the other is dressier.
Agreed!
I always thought Sinn, they do in house movement until now. In that case, no point paying extra money and for the money, I can buy better watches. Great review and love your straps choices on both. Maybe Sinn would be better looks if the kind of design you like. Thanks for video.
wayne han Thanks for dropping by. I see your point regarding the in-house movement. I would think only Nomos comes close to the Sinn’s price when we look at watches with in-house movement.
But the Sinn 556 is truly magnificent for it’s specs and versatility. 200m WR and anti-mag. It is rugged enough for daily wear.
38.5mm size just perfect not too big not too small, can dress up or dress down. Looks good on any strap, bracelet, nylon, rubber or even cardboard.
Superb legibility on the simple dial layout too.
Actually a must-have or must-try for all watch fans.
@@AndyinSG I think so what you said is right. I love your Nomos review and actually checking on it. Haha.
wayne han The closest model to the Sinn556 would be the Club Campus. 100m WR with in-house movement. But all great watches really.
wayne han thanks for checking out my other videos too man!
@@AndyinSG thank you for reply. Great channel that I can check regularly and great price point on many brands.
The Sinn is far more legible, however I hate watches that have indices that are all the same. At the very least I want double at 12, ideally double also at 3, 6, and 9.
Nick K That’s a common complain from many Sinn 556i owners. At least a more distinct 12 o’clock marker would be good. But that may disrupt the clean look. Oh well, nothing’s perfect...
Wow the Sinn is so legible
Agreed! 👍
The Sinn is far more tool-y, which makes the SARB more versatile as it can be an elegant dress watch in addition to a daily wearer.
yoinkhaha You’ll be surprise how well the 556i can “dress up” too with a nice tapering leather strap. But i have to agree the Sarb is definitely the dressier here.
Both great watches but sarb for me all day especially for the price. It’s more versatile as well.
Can’t go wrong with either i guess.
If only Sarb033 has AR coating and slightly better band it would have easily eaten Sinn alive anytime any day....no joke! Period.
Sean Liew Agree with your observations!
Finishing on the Sarb033 isn't as good as Sinn, and the movement isn't as accurate, or should I say erratic, some fall withn COSC, some off, depends on your luck.
Live If you were saying about internal finishing it is never the case with Japanese movement except GS. You simply cannot compare it with Swiss movement mainly because this is meant to be affordable. The Swiss and Germans like to decorate their movement as their trend and command a higher price point. Japanese tends to be more pragmatic and reliable. COSC will incur additional cost but it’s not an absolute must. Just enjoy an automatic watch as it is and especially Seiko of its heritage.
@@seanliew7343 We are comparing watches, and you're telling "you simply cannot compare it with Siwss..." Do you realize your own contradiction and bias?
Live I am afraid you are not reading me well. I am talking about watches comparing them from every aspect and from different continent. You simply cannot deny the fact that Swiss or German produce a much higher grade and detail in their timepiece. How do you compare Credor with ALS? Understand?
both are boring... get something else. Like a Seiko Tuna.
Shipmate I have one of those too. I like all of them. :)
@@AndyinSG I have changed my mind. Both are good, but too similar to have in the same collection.