With a thinness of only 1.65mm, the Konstantin Chaykin ThinKing surpasses the record set by Bvlgari earlier this year
The ultra-thin race heats up with independent watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin joining the race—and leading the pack in its first attempt! Bvlgari and Richard Mille had the thinnest mechanical wristwatches at 1.7mm and 1.75mm respectively. The ThinKing Prototype 2 beat those with a 1.65mm-thick wristwatch.
Read more: Three of the thinnest mechanical watches today
The usual practice is for the movement to be integrated into the watch case, with the caseback acting as the mainplate. In the case of Konstantin Chaykin, it was elevated to the next level via three core measures: redesign of the ultra-thin winding barrel and the double balance wheel, and tan external case equipped with an automatic winding system.
Watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin examining the ultra-thin case of the ThinKing
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The barrel doesn’t have a cover yet performs with utmost stability, offering a decent power reserve of 32 hours. Instead of a multi-level structure, the double balance wheel occupies only two levels. The first balance works together with the lever, and the hairspring is installed on the second balance.
Next was the challenge of providing the watch with the necessary rigidity to ensure consistent performance. The Prototype 2 case is made of a special stainless steel with a hardness that allows the watch to be worn normally. An external case, dubbed PalanKing, offers additional protection. But it also functions as a ‘winding system’ when the watch is worn on the wrist.
See also: Maximilian Büsser responds to Chanel’s 25 per cent stake in his company, MB&F
