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Horological Meandering

Permit me to elaborate...

 

1. Ultra thin watches are much more difficult to regulate and adjust. Thus, fine-tuning them to perfect levels of accuracy is more difficult.
2. While Ultra Thin watches can be reliable and accurate, they're never quite as accurate as "normal thickness" watches. For instance, you've never seen an Ultra Thin watch win top place in any Observatory Accuracy Awards. Like certain Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin's Chronometre Royal timepiece that were made famous because they were extremely accurate.
3. Extremely thick watches... Hard to say, but generally, high quality ultra thin watches are generally slightly less precise than high quality "normal" watches. Can't say anything about extremely thick watches. And keep in mind, we're talking about the movement here, not the case. Generally extremely thick watches have other complications on them. There are no time-only watches that I would consider extremely thick.

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23 Comments view entire thread 

Thinnest Watch in The World

 
By: Thomas_3 : April 24th, 2020-09:48
I see Piaget is back in the lead for the title of world's thinnest watch, overtaking JLC with the new Altiplano Ultimat Concept.

Interesting...but I think...

 
By: mdg : April 24th, 2020-10:16
41mm is too big for a dress watch. Besides, it's so thin it looks like it would flex at that diameter.

unless you're seriously counting millimeters....

 
By: mahesh : April 24th, 2020-12:47
from my memory....JLC MUT, VC Historique Ultrafine 1955, Piaget Altiplano Ultimate on bracelet, i'm not sure but i think it is bulgari finissimo Best, mahesh.,

I agree with Mahesh.

 
By: patrick_y : April 24th, 2020-20:29
Some Piaget models, the Vacheron Constantin Historique 1955, and the Jaeger-leCoultre Master Ultra Thin 849 caliber timepieces are the thinnest movements that are in regular production and are readily available. In fact, Jaeger-LeCoultre seems to be slowi... 

You're welcome! Remember, thinner does have some drawbacks... Accuracy being the biggest one of them.

 
By: patrick_y : April 25th, 2020-12:47
I wouldn't want a watch much thinner than a Vacheron Historique 1955 anyways. To me, that's the nicest "Ultra Thin" or "Extra Plate" watch out there along with some Piaget Altiplanos. The Jaeger-LeCoultre 849 is amazing, especially for the price. A true v... 

The JLC MUT is both accurate and reliable—

 
By: Jim14 : April 26th, 2020-18:25
This is one of the things that makes it so special — a very solid watch that has none of that flimsy feel you might get with ultra-thin pieces that came out before it.

Oh yes! Especially that one!

 
By: patrick_y : April 29th, 2020-14:22
That platinum Jubilee of 2013 (my "Best Value Pick of SIHH 2013" and one of my personal favorites) is indeed a great watch and especially rigid. That solid case back makes a big difference in the rigidity of the watch! The steel one isn't "flimsy" but not... 

Permit me to elaborate...

 
By: patrick_y : April 26th, 2020-22:03
1. Ultra thin watches are much more difficult to regulate and adjust. Thus, fine-tuning them to perfect levels of accuracy is more difficult. 2. While Ultra Thin watches can be reliable and accurate, they're never quite as accurate as "normal thickness" w... 

Sonic you are...

 
By: Ronald Held : April 28th, 2020-11:44
Anal about accuracy,you should not get an ultra thin watch?

Potentially. Generally. Big generalization.

 
By: patrick_y : April 28th, 2020-12:33
Ultra thin watches today are very accurate and are reasonably close to the accuracy of normal watches. Furthermore, ultra-thin timepieces are more carefully tuned so they can achieve a higher potential for better accuracy. Thus, if a normal Jaeger-LeCoult... 

You're welcome. I hope it makes some kind of sense!

 
By: patrick_y : April 29th, 2020-14:17
Many different approaches to accuracy and tuning. Some watches are tuned in only 4 positions, some 5, some 6! Tuning a watch in itself can be an art form, especially in watches where the hairspring is a Breguet overcoil (meaning you can't just shorten the...