The watch named ThinKing, crafted by Russian watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin, measures only 1.65 mm thick, making it the thinnest mechanical wristwatch in the world.
The race to create the thinnest wristwatch in the world has been intense over the past few years. Some of the most prestigious watch brands worldwide are striving to compete with intricate and refined designs.
The ThinKing watch measures only 1.65 mm. (Image: O.C).
The latest brand to claim this title is independent watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin with the prototype ThinKing, a masterpiece that is so thin it requires a special strap.
The case of the ThinKing is so fragile that even the pressure from wearing it can damage the watch. Therefore, the craftsman decided to use crocodile leather for the watch’s special strap. He also added a layer of titanium that can absorb some shock, twists, and bends.
This new thinnest wristwatch features several technical innovations, including an ultra-thin mainspring and a dual balance wheel system, which significantly reduces thickness and brings the weight down to just 13.3 grams.
With a thickness of only 1.65 mm, the ThinKing is 0.5 mm thinner than the previous record and even thinner than a U.S. nickel.
This watch is even thinner than a U.S. nickel. (Image: O.C).
To break the world record, Chaykin had to incorporate several radical ideas into his clever design, such as eliminating the classic crown and instead displaying the hours and minutes through two separate windows.
Despite being more fragile than conventional wristwatches, the ThinKing is made from a special stainless steel designed to withstand everyday wearing pressure.
Interestingly, ultra-thin watches like the ThinKing are extremely expensive and require immense effort to design and produce. They are crafted from expensive materials, with parts meticulously machined and many hours of labor invested. Wearing such a watch is not a simple task, as its thinness makes it prone to damage, requiring users to be extremely careful when wearing it on their wrist.
Compared to classic watches, ultra-thin wristwatches like the ThinKing are also not favored by collectors. So why do many prestigious watch manufacturers continue to produce them? According to explanations, they do so primarily out of a desire to compete, but also to improve the watchmaking industry as a whole. Some of the groundbreaking designs used in prototypes like the ThinKing ultimately inspire design philosophies for conventional watches.
