Russian Watchmaker Unveils “ThinKing” Prototype, Claiming World’s Thinnest Mechanical Watch
The race to create the world’s thinnest mechanical watch has taken a dramatic turn, with a Russian watchmaker claiming to have surpassed the reigning champions, CNN reports.
Konstantin Chaykin, an independent inventor from Russia’s Moscow, has unveiled his ThinKing prototype at the Geneva Watch Days fair, boasting a mere 1.65-millimeter thickness. This would dethrone Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo Ultra Mark II, which currently holds the record at 1.7 millimeters.
Chaykin attributes the ThinKing’s thinness to innovative design elements. The watch features a winding mechanism integrated into its barrel, a “double balance” wheel that reduces the number of layers in the movement, and a separate 5.4-millimeter-thick carrier case housing the winding and adjustment mechanisms. This strategic layout allows for maximum space optimization.
Crafted from stainless steel and tungsten carbide, the ThinKing also boasts an exceptionally light weight, tipping the scales at just 13.3 grams without its strap. Chaykin is considering using sapphires or diamonds in future versions of the watch.
The design, with its separate hour and minute displays resembling a face, is a trademark of Chaykin’s Wristmons collection. Each dial is protected by a 0.35-millimeter-thick sapphire crystal.
The quest for ultra-slim watches has been a major challenge for watchmakers, but the race has intensified in recent years. Luxury brands like Bulgari, Piaget, and Richard Mille have all held the title of thinnest mechanical watch, pushing the boundaries of design and engineering.
