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Russian independent watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin is perhaps best known for his iconic Wristmons—distinctive timepieces featuring anthropomorphic or even zoomorphic dials. In 2024, however, he gained wider recognition when he created the thinnest watch in the world, measuring just 1.65 mm in thickness. He named it ThinKing, a clever play on the ideas of “thinking” and the “king of thinness.” His latest creation is not merely an evolution of the 2024 ThinKing. It is proof that extreme thinness can move from a striking result to a fully controlled production process—while simultaneously acquiring an entirely new aesthetic identity. With a case thickness of just 1.65 mm, like its predecessor and former record-holder for the world’s thinnest watch, the ThinKing Mystery operates at the very limits of what is possible. This time, however, not as a one-off technological feat, but as a limited edition of 12 pieces.
If the previous ThinKing revolved around the record itself, here the focus shifts elsewhere: to reproducibility. Ultra-thin watchmaking is unforgiving. Tolerances measured in thousandths of a millimetre, deformations caused by the slightest touch, assembly requiring selective matching of components. Chaykin and his team responded to this challenge with a fully documented production system, including around 40 control checkpoints for the case alone. It is an approach that feels closer to aerospace engineering than traditional watchmaking. And perhaps this is the most compelling aspect: the transition from “I achieved something unique” to “I can do it again—and do it right.”
The aesthetic remains faithful to Chaykin’s familiar Joker philosophy—a watch that “looks back” at you. This time, however, the eyes gain an entirely new dimension. The hour and minute displays are set on fully transparent sapphire discs. The crossbars that previously defined them disappear, and the indication appears to float in mid-air. The inspiration comes from 19th-century mystery clocks, particularly the work of Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin, where hands seemed to move without any visible mechanical connection.
Behind this “magic” lies an exceptionally refined mechanical solution. The discs are driven laterally, while three small rollers guide their motion, nearly eliminating runout and reducing energy loss.
In the ThinKing Mystery, the movement does not sit inside the case—it is the case. The in-house calibre K.23-3.1 is integrated directly into the caseback, which functions as the mainplate. This architecture is not merely a design choice, but a necessity: at such thickness, every additional layer is prohibitive.
The dual balance wheel—a patented Chaykin solution—operates in a single plane, with two intermeshing toothed wheels. One regulates frequency, the other transmits impulse. The result is a construction that feels closer to a piece of micro-mechanical engineering than a traditional escapement. The barrel, also redesigned, now delivers a 38-hour power reserve—an important improvement considering the extreme spatial constraints.
Material selection is critical. The case is made from a high-precision, non-magnetic alloy, offering increased rigidity and corrosion resistance. This is not a fragile concept piece, but a watch engineered to preserve its geometry. Even the strap plays a structural role: reinforced with titanium elements and elastic inserts, it helps reduce stress on the case.
In a watch measuring just 1.65 mm, a crown has no place—neither technically nor aesthetically. Chaykin proposes two alternative solutions: a dedicated carbon winding box, into which the watch is placed for winding and setting, and a slim key that connects directly to the caseback. In both cases, a safety mechanism prevents overwinding.
In a watch this thin, even finishing becomes a challenge. The slightest removal of material can affect the entire structure. Every step requires measurement, every surface absolute control. And yet, the result remains faithful to the canons of haute horlogerie: perlage, linear finishing, circular graining on the wheels, and hand-polished bevels.
The ThinKing Mystery is not a typical ultra-thin watch. It is a living demonstration of how far contemporary independent watchmaking can go when it combines technical mastery, persistence, and imagination.
