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The new Konstantin Chaykin “ThinKing Mystery”
Here's an overview of Konstantin Chaykin's new release.
In 2024, the well-known Russian independent watchmaker introduced the “ThinKing”, an ultra-thin in-house watch with a case just 1.65 mm thick.
It was accompanied by a carrier case called “PalanKing”, which enabled the winding and setting of the watch.
credit: Monochrome
Today, Chaykin releases this ultra-thin mechanical watch as a 12-piece limited edition with a repeatable series architecture: the “ThinKing Mystery”.
Unlike the original record-thin one-off, ThinKing Mystery draws on two sources of inspiration:
- It still preserves the concept of the Joker – Chaykin’s most instantly recognisable watch, with his logo and name serving as a visual ‘nose and mouth’. The ThinKing is thus part of the “Wristmon” family.
- This time, however, the “eyes” are fully transparent, with the crossbars disappearing from their structure.
The idea was sparked by Chaykin’s Mystery 1000 Jewels, created in 2007 as a tribute to the Mystery Clock invented by illusionist Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin.
Below:
- first, Robert-Houdin’s Mysterious Clock;
- then Chaykin’s Mystery 1000 Jewels.
credit: Anticstore (Robert-Houdin's Mystery Clock)
In the ThinKing Mystery’s new construction, a lateral drive turns solid sapphire discs, thus eliminating any axial runout.
The case, which is a load-bearing structure that preserves the watch’s geometry even at the critically small thickness of 1.65 mm, is made of a high-precision, fully non-magnetic alloy, which offers increased rigidity and corrosion resistance.
The in-house calibre K.23-3.1 is integrated into the caseback, which serves as the movement’s mainplate.
The balance assembly is laid out in a single plane as two wheels whose rims interlock via teeth:
- The first governs the frequency and isochronism of the oscillations.
- The second, fitted with a roller, acts as the impulse-jewel plate and interacts with the pallet fork.
The power reserve has been increased from 32 to 38 hours and the accuracy rate is −15 / +20 seconds per day, measured across several positions during internal regulation.
A patented strap in high-quality leather, with resilient titanium stiffeners and elastic inserts, is part of the overall structure and significantly reduces unwanted stress on the case.
Instead of the PalanKing carrier case which accompanied the 2024 prototype, two new auxiliary tools are offered, each with a built-in safety mechanism that prevents overwinding:
- The first takes the form of a compact, ultra-strong carbon case into which the watch is placed. On its flat inner surface are four spring-loaded supports arranged around the perimeter, along with two spring-loaded shafts for winding and for setting the time. Once the watch is inside and the lid is closed, adjustments are made via two wheels that protrude slightly from the tool’s housing.
- The second device is an elongated key that fits into a dedicated slot on the caseback, with winding or time-setting carried out by turning it.
Now, let’s have a look at the fit on the wrist of this 41 x 1.65 mm watch, which weighs only 12.1 g (without strap):
The thinnest serially produced mechanical watch used to be the 1.70 mm Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC, introduced in 2024.
If you're interested in this topic, please read Brice Goulard's article for Monochrome: What are The World’s Thinnest Watches Per Category?
credit: Monochrome
But the Konstantin Chaykin ThinKing Mystery, with its 1.65 mm “thickness” is clearly the new king of thinness…
What do you think about this new release?
credit to all images except otherwise specified: Konstantin Chaykin
Are you impressed? Indifferent? Do you like it?
Thanks for reading.
Best, Emmanuel
The new Konstantin Chaykin “ThinKing Mystery”
Here's an overview of Konstantin Chaykin 's new release . In 2024 , the well-known Russian independent watchmaker introduced the “ ThinKing ”, an ultra-thin in-house watch with a case just 1.65 mm thick. It was accompanied by a carrier case called “ Palan...
Are they already all sold? What is the price? How soon can I get one? Does it come in a thin mailing envelope? Water resistance?
I hate to be a whiney child but this is what I want for my birthday! However, not going to happen at half a million dollars. Wah! ...
I saw the prototype went for 508,000 CHF
That puts it out of my range, unless as you suggest, they are sending it already. In which case I have to pay for it AND the divorce lawyer, so I would be writing my next post from Skid Row. I lived in downtown LA once; not eager to go back...
Not for me
I was able to try on the Bulgari COSC and these flat watches don't do it for me style wise (not talking about the bucks). Moreover, the mystery dial with those discs has already been used by Montblanc in their Tourbillon Heures Mystérieuses some 20 years ...
Like you, even if I'm impressed,
thinness for the sake of thinness isn't really my thing. My ideal thin watch is VC's 1955, ref. 33155/000R-9588. The 1003 caliber is 1.64 and the watch 4.1 mm: I don't need any thinner. As for the mystery display, I don't think Chaykin claims to have inve...
Push it to the limit for the sake of it
What i realized by now is that even if some watches do not speak to me, out of my reach financially or otherwise I still can appreciate and enjoy them. On he other hand i can not buy all the watches that i like and i learned to enjoy them from far just as...
I completely understand the idea of pushing the limit for the sake of it.
I even find it fascinating. It's just that the result isn't a watch I'd like to wear. Thanks for our kind words, Ashot. Best, Emmanuel
As mentioned, there was a version from Minerva
which should date around 2004/5, initiated by Cabbidou. I have seen it at the Insitute of Minerva in the metal, named only Minerva.
This quest for thinness is a bit crazy,
but also interesting and KC has come up with creative solutions.
Certainly very impressed 👌🏻👍🏻
Thinness is a category that highly appeals but as you also said of it is for myself then it has to work on the wrist and that 1955 is a prime example of what works very well for me 😁 At the same time one needs to appreciate the pushing of the limits and t...
I would also be very happy to see one in real life.
And I completely agree that pushing boundaries and demonstrating great ingenuity deserve to be applauded.
Very impressive but not my cup of tea tbh .
Wouldn’t wear such a watch . To much gimmick imo