The 142 is used by the German special forces Grenzschutzgruppe 9 (GSG9)), and has proven to be a rugged and reliable chronograph.

Specifications

• Movement: Lemania 5100, 17 jewels, Hack set
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Width: 44mm
• Height: 15mm
• Water Resistance: 100m

The 142 can withstand a magnetic field of 28000 A/m (Ampere/meter). 'Non-magnetic' watches can withstand 4800A/m.

It can also withstand up to 10Gs and not interrupt the chronograph mechanism. This is the only watch that can make this claim.

Internal rotating bezel, running seconds at 9, 24hr clock at 12, 12hr timer at 6, large minute chronograph hand, large second chronograph hand

Background

The predecessor of the 142 was the model 140 and was equipped with a Lemania 1340 movement. The 1340 was first available ~1971 for the Speedmaster series for Omega so I guess the first Sinn with this particular movement appeared probably not before 1972. Watches very similar to the Sinn 142 were also available from Lemania, Tissot and Breitling (and probably others as well). The 142 with the cal. Lemania 5100 didn't appear before 1978 (I guess the first 142 with 5100 was sold around 1980). (thanks to Roman from WUS for this history)

Click here to read a brief interview I did with Herr Sinn concerning the development of the model 142

What makes the model 142 stand out is that is was the first automatic chronograph in space. The German Astronauts were all assigned a watch, however, a few felt it important enough to bring the Sinn 142 along as well. According to Herr Sinn, they also paid for it ! (albeit at a 25% discount). Here are the Astronauts (with a linked biography) that wore the 142 in space:

• Reinhard Furrer - Pic of Reinhard wearing a PVD 142
• Klaus-Dietrich Flade
• Reinhold Ewald

Current Models

	Sinn 142.020 ST Lemania 5100 movement, 17 jewels Sapphire crystal Water resistant to 10 ATM 44mm in diameter 15mm thick
	Sinn 142.030 ST S Lemania 5100 movement, 17 jewels Sapphire crystal Water resistant to 10 ATM 44mm in diameter 15mm thick
	Sinn 142.040 TI Lemania 5100 movement, 17 jewels Sapphire crystal Water resistant to 10 ATM 44mm in diameter 15mm thick

'Old' 142s vs. 'New' 142s

Sinn has changed the overall design of the 142 to produce distinct differences over the years. As previously stated, I have been unable to locate any records that may assist with dating the watches and/or when these design changes were introduced, so this is my best informed guess. If anyone can assist with dating these watches, please email me

'Older' Sinn 142 (pre-inscription)	Newer model Sinn. Notice protected pushers and more pronounced crown. Back is also inscribed.

Older version uninscribed back	Examples of inscriptions on the newer models. Inscriptions began after the D1 mission in 1985. To date, this is my only reference point with respect to dating the watch.

Older crown and pushers are more recessed. Crown cannot screw down.	New models have protected pushers and screw down crown, and are therefore slightly more pronounced.

On the left is an example of an older dial. Notice the difference in the 12hr and running second registers. Also take note of the word 'Automatic (or Automatik). I've also noticed that my older 142 has a less 'bold' Sinn inscription. Herr Sinn indicated that the difference (originally) was simply due to the fact that Sinn used two different dial manufacturers.

Serial Numbers and Dates

If anyone can assist with this, please contact me. This empty table is depressing ;^<

Questions that need answers ! Please help! Email me if you can shed light on any of these questions.

Q1
Did Sinn consider a Hesalite crystal over a sapphire crystal for space shuttle deployment? At what point did NASA determine that sapphire crystals were safe in an launch and orbiting environment?