Independent Russian watchmaker revolutionizes the thinnest wristwatch

Independent Russian watchmaker revolutionizes the thinnest wristwatch

In recent years, the great horology brands in Europe have stood in an intensive competition for the design of the thinnest mechanical watch in the world. Luxury brands like Bulgari, Piaget and Richard Mille Keep the coveted record since 2018, which was last exceeded by Bulgari with the elegantly designed, only 1.7 millimeter thick Octo Finissimo Ultra Mark II. But now an independent Russian watchmaker and inventor may be ahead.

A revolutionary watch: Konstantin Chaykin's ThinKing prototype

The Konstantin Chaykin, based in Moscow, presents his new one ThinKing prototype which he presented during the Geneva watch fair in August. With only 1.65 millimeters thickness (less than a fifteen inch) and a weight of only 13.3 grams (less than 0.47 ounces) without a bracelet, it is also one of the lightest watches in the world.

Innovations for maximum comfort

In an email to CNN, Chaykin explains that he has developed various innovations to make his design thinner without restricting functionality. This includes a elevator mechanism integrated in the housing and the unique "double balancing" wheel, which enables him to reduce the number of layers in the clockwork.

The mechanisms for raising the clock and setting the dials are located in a separate supporting housing with a thickness of 5.4 millimeters, creating space for the technology of thinking. Chaykin has submitted several patent applications, but have not yet been approved. The watch consists of stainless steel and tungsten carbide, a light but extremely stable material. In addition, Chaykin is considering using sapphires or diamonds in future versions of the watch, as stated on the website of his brand.

Design and aesthetics

With separate displays for hours and minutes, the design resembles a face, which is a trademark of the Wristmons collection of the watchmaker. The dials are each protected by sapphire crystals with a thickness of 0.35 millimeters (0.014 inches).

The ongoing race for the thinnest clock

Producing ultra-thin watches that are reliable, accurate and durable enough for everyday use represents a significant engineering challenge for the watch industry. But the race to develop ever-thinner watches has accelerated in recent years. The Swiss brand Piaget introduced its 2 millimeter thick watch in 2018 Altiplano Ultimate Concept, then the thinnest in the world, followed by Bulgari, which regained the title with its first version of the Octo Finissimo Ultra, which measured just 1.8 millimeters.

The future of Chaykin's ThinKing

However, it remains controversial whether Chaykins Thinking can now be classified as a record holder, since Guinness World Records currently does not lead an independently tested record for the thinnest clock. At the moment it is a prototype, the functionality and accuracy of which have not yet been evaluated independently. James Stacey, editor-in-chief of the online watch magazine Hodinkee, described the Thinking as "more of a design and engineering course at this stage" and is skeptical whether the watch can be accepted as a record holder.

However, Chaykin is convinced that the contemporary accuracy and the 32 -hour gear reserve of his prototype qualify him as a new record holder. During the five -day Geneva watch fair, "hundreds of people" had the opportunity to examine and test his creation. He announced that a "final" version of his watch on the Watches & Wonders to be presented at the trade fair in Geneva next April. Until then, the updated design should offer improved accuracy, power reserve and "watertightness," he confirmed to CNN.

Chaykin, who founded his eponymous watch brand in 2003, became interested in slim timepieces after encountering an ultra-thin 19th-century pocket watch about 20 years ago. Inspired by a client who challenged him to design an ultra-thin watch, he spent a lot of time looking for technical solutions, which he described as likening a puzzle. “Like any good puzzle, I had to tinker, look for non-trivial solutions, choose the best options and calculate the energy flows,” says Chaykin.