Sinn Diapal price premium

[koffeetalk]

Hello. New to this forum, but very impressed with the level of knowledge and sharing here!

I'm very interested in a Sinn watch, and evaluating my choices. I'm interested in the Diapal models, but they seem to carry a very significant price premium over the same models without Diapal. In the U.S. anyway, it looks like a 40% to 50% premium over the comparable non-Diapal models.

Is this a function of the cost of the Diapal modifications of the movement? Or more a function of current supply and demand?

Thanks for any feedback.

[rationaltime]

Welcome to watchuseek and the Sinn watch forum.

In my opinion all prices are ultimately determined by supply and demand.

It appears the price difference between the Diapal models and the equivalent
non-Diapal models is about 300 Euro including the 19% German VAT. WatchBuys
translates that to about $480.

The ETA Valjoux 7750 seems to be a reliable movement. There are a lot of
7750 movements out there still running fine after 20 years. If you are happy
without the extra hour hand provided with the Diapal chronographs, you might
save the money and get the non-Diapal version.

Sinn works at making technical improvements. The Diapal system includes an oil
free escapement, desiccant capsule, and Argon case filling. Sinn specifies a
Diapal temperature range far wider than people can survive. Along with that Sinn
provides a 5 year warranty. While the Sinn warranty is worth something, you can
have a 7750 chronograph movement serviced twice for the price difference. I think
the Diapal movement is for those who choose to have and can afford the latest
technology. Those who make more cost conscious decisions might be happier
making a purchase without it.

Thanks,
rationaltime

[koffeetalk]

rationaltime -- thanks for the insights. You are right to note the UTC hour hand--I was not comparing the right watch models. The DIAPAL models are indeed about $480 more than the comparable UTC non-DIAPAL models. I was erroneously thinking the difference was more like $1,100, which covers the addition of both UTC and DIAPAL.

I also agree that supply and demand is the ultimate answer, but my original analysis was flawed, so the difference for DIAPAL is more understandable.

Thank you for the welcome and the rational analysis, rationaltime!

[CMSgt Bo]

Welcome to WUS, koffeetalk (love that skit).

You also have to consider the extensive R&D and patenting costs as well as the cost of having the escapement parts DLC coated by an outside contractor (in this case, Wolf Gruppe). All of those things add up.

Cheers!

Bo

[koffeetalk]

Thanks Bo. Agreed. And the more I see and read about the DIAPAL models, the more I notice the grey dial with black sub-dials -- another point of distinction/uniqueness for the DIAPAL models.

[CMSgt Bo]

I think Sinn calls the DIAPAL dial and bezel color Anthracite.

[Lencoth]

I think Sinn calls the DIAPAL dial and bezel color Anthracite.

And says they're galvanized and therefore more resitant to any fading (and I presume the normal therefor are not).