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The time has come for you to opt for an ultra-thin watch. Maybe you’ve spent years collecting bulky highly complex timepieces, and now you want to strip things back to simple minimalist timekeeping? Or maybe it’s your first wristwatch investment, and you long for the streamlined look of a wafer-thin watch on your wrist, perfect for getting noticed when you walk into a bar. Well, you’ve started looking at just the right time.
We’ve compiled this guide featuring six ultra-thin wristwatches. We want to put the best features of ultra-thin watches under the spotlight and show you how timepieces that differ from the complexity of a Vacheron Constantin watch, for example, with fewer complications to take care of, can be a good thing.
Take a look at our guide to some of the world’s thinnest timepieces. We cover everything from robust, industrial-inspired men’s automatics with a power reserve to ion-plated all-black cases, tourbillons, moon phases, sleek quartz wristwatches to super minimalist aesthetics that are sure to turn a head or two.
View The Best Thinnest Watches Below
1. Zenith Captain Ultra Thin Lady Moonphase
The dauphine-style central hands on the dial of this elegant Zenith Captain Ultra Thin Lady Moonphase model are incredibly slim to fit in line with the svelte appearance of the watch’s physique. The rose gold-tone dial is home to a 60 second sub-dial and a moon phase feature at 9 and 6 o’clock respectively.
If you’re a lady who likes a touch of sparkle, or if you’re considering purchasing a wristwatch as a gift for a loved one, then take note of the exquisite diamond dot markers located at each hour location on this stunning timepiece. The Zenith caliber elite 692 automatic movement, with a power reserve of 50 hours, is housed inside an 8.65mm case depth.
Pros:
+Exhibition glass case back
+ 33mm 18ct rose gold case – 30-meter water resistance
+ Case depth: 8.65mm
+ Powered by an in-house movement with a useful power reserve
+ 50-hour power reserve
Why We Like It – This luxury timepiece from Zenith wraps effortlessly around the wrist with a stylish brown alligator leather strap.
2. Bulgari Octo Finissimo
The Bulgari Octo Finissimo model is made from titanium for an incredibly lightweight finish upon your wrist. If you like industrial-styled wristwatches and models that exude a slight retro-inspired look, the Octo Finissimo is certainly for you.
Its slim case depth of 5.15mm holds the impeccable BVL 138 Finissimo caliber at its center with a useful power reserve. The automatic movement is beautifully crafted and displayed behind a transparent case back made from durable sapphire crystal.
The movement is decorated by hand in the desirable côtes de Genève finish. It also showcases chamfering techniques for added finesse. The dial of this Bulgari Octo Finissimo presents the time via a pair of central hands for the minutes and hours, and a small second sub-dial at the unusual location of 7 o’clock.
Pros:
+ 40mm titanium case
+ Exhibition case back
+ Titanium link bracelet with a foldable clasp
+ Practical power reserve for keeping accuracy when off the wrist
+ 5.15mm case depth
Why We Like It – An extra thin mechanically manufactured movement inside this timepiece ensures it will keep accurate time even when not worn on the wrist.
3. Daniel Wellington Petite Bondi
This is a minimalist wristwatch for lovers of contemporary style. This elegant and dainty lady’s wristwatch is crafted from double plated stainless steel in a lavish rose gold color. Its clean and modern dial, with a track of rose gold colored stick indexes, keeps timekeeping to the bare essentials.
The simplicity of the watch’s design by the brand Daniel Wellington is also underscored by the clean white leather strap which secures with a delicate rose gold-colored pin buckle. The ultra-thin watch sits on the wrist at a discreet depth of 6mm, making it an ideal timepiece to pair with formal attire or to wear underneath the cuff of a possessional suit if desired.
Pros:
+ Eggshell white dial color
+ White leather strap and rose gold case
+ Powered by a Japanese quartz movement
+ Case thickness: 6mm
+ 30-meter water-resistant
Why We Like It – This lady’s ultra-thin watch is value for money and comes equipped with a highly reliable Japanese quartz movement.
4. Rado True Thinline Automatic
Rado is a watch manufacturer renowned for modern designs created from high-tech materials. The True Thinline is one of Rado’s thinnest automatic watches. Governed by an engine that provides an impressive 42-hour power reserve, you’re guaranteed to look sleek and stylish with this thin watch strapped to the wrist. It sits up with a height of just 7.8mm and spans a diameter of 40mm.
A sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective and scratch-resistant properties’ is equipped to the front of the face. Sheer contemporary tones are communicated through the watch’s scratch-resistant black high tech ceramic case, completed with a matching bracelet and a refined fold-over clasp for 24/7 comfort.
Pros:
+ One of Rado’s slimmest automatic watches
+ Case depth; 7.8mm
+ High tech black ceramic case and bracelet
+ Power reserve of 42 hours
+ Durable and highly scratch-resistant design
Why We Like It – This thin watch is developed from Rado’s groundbreaking monobloc ceramic case for an extremely light super-slim silhouette design.
5. Arnold & Son UTTE Mechanical
The UTTE Tourbillon is a masterpiece that defines sleekness. Its comfortable and slender case depth of 8.4mm holds a movement whose depth measures a mere 2.97mm thick. The entire timepiece is designed, manufactured, and finished in Arnold & Son’s manufacturing house. The one-minute flying tourbillon, hand-wound movement is put on display for you to admire through the back of the case.
Capable of performing at 21,600 vibrations per hour and providing a breath-taking 90-hour power reserve, this timepiece will certainly promise a cutting edge precision, along with a traditionally-styled case that looks stunning when paired with smart or elegant evening attire.
Pros:
+ 42mm 18ct rose gold case
+ Case thickness: 8.4mm
+ Classic dark brown leather strap with rose gold buckle
+ Power reserve of 90 hours
+ Open-heart window on the dial side
Why We Like It – We love the fact that you can catch a glimpse of the tourbillon movement’s peerless performance through the front of this ultra-thin watch as well as through the back.
6. Michael Kors Men’s Slim Runway Quartz
How stealthy and super sleek is this model from Michael Kors? Its ultra-slim case depth is particularly comfortable on the wrist, perfect for pairing with your favorite suit or smart work attire. The case of the Runway watch is crafted from stainless steel with an ion plating to give the case its darkened effect.
It takes the blackout trend to another level. With a bold, masculine style, this quartz-powered watch stands against the wrist at an impressive 9mm case depth despite its broad 4mm width. The three-handed dial design is simple and understated enough for every imaginable occasion.
Pros:
+ All-black Michael Kors 44mm model
+ Three-handed stick index dial
+ Stainless steel black ion-plated case and bracelet
+ Powered by a quartz movement
+ Case depth; 9mm
Why We Like It – A double push-button release mechanism enables you to take this wristwatch off quickly and easily at the end of a long day at work.
Thinnest Watches Buyer’s Guide
Here are a few common questions that might make your search for the best thin watch that little easier.
What is the world’s thinnest watch?
Ultra thin watches are the way to go if you want to be able to wear your timepiece underneath the cuff of a shirt sleeve at work, while still enjoying the benefits of a mechanical watch. They’re versatile, and that’s why they’re loved all over the world.
There’s now a huge range of slim watches to choose from on the market, from the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon to the Jaeger LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Squellete. It’s thought that watchmaker Piaget has created the thinnest watch – the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate automatic. The timepiece is powered by the brand 910P engine (equipped with a 50-hour power reserve), which sits inside a 4.30mm deep case.
As well as creating the world’s thinnest automatic watch, Piaget also created the thinnest chronograph watch. But there are many other thin watches out there on the market now that ooze the elegant and sophisticated appeal of an ultra-thin watch, even if they’re a millimeter or two thicker.
What are the key characteristics of a thin watch?
There are several reasons why ultra-thin watches are trending in the world of men’s fashion at the moment. Some brands boast their most innovative and intricately hand-crafted movements through the back of a thin wristwatch, putting the engine on display through a sapphire exhibition case back.
It’s this level of craftsmanship and artistry that makes ultra-thin watches so sought-after and desirable within elite watch collecting circles. Here are some other features that make ultra-thin watches on the market so desirable.
Lightweight: The fact that thin watches are so light in weight is a huge advantage. Not only are they sleek, but they make you feel it, too! There are many styles and designs of wristwatches out there to choose from, their weight of which will vary depending on the brand’s choice in materials to create their cases.
Sophisticated: Phones are getting slimmer; in fact, electrical devices, on the whole, are getting slimmer! The same goes for watches, so when you combine an ultra-slim watch with your attire, you’re bound to feel sophisticated enough to face the day with confidence.
There are several ultra-thin timepieces to choose from in terms of design– each one with a different style that can be worn for a slightly different occasion. Some of the world’s thinnest wristwatches are great for wearing with a suit for attending an interview; other ones with additional complications can be useful for helping to keep up-to-date and organized with a busy lifestyle.
Elegant two-handed dials with a minimalist look, on the other hand, will work beautifully as an everyday timepiece, but they can also double-up as a piece of jewelry for celebratory parties and evening events.
Style: It’s essential that when you’re ready to buy a thin watch, you choose the style that best fits you. If you need a timepiece that will withstand knocks and bumps daily, then a titanium or stainless steel watch is the better option. If you like modern designs, stick to a style that is contemporary and minimalist with a clutter-free dial that will pair with any outfit nicely.
If you want an elegant wristwatch for adding to smart attire for dining out and attending special occasions with, there are several thin watches made from white gold, rose gold, and yellow gold that will add a touch of opulence to your wrist.
Some brands are noteworthy for their hefty, rugged appeal using materials and case designs that create huge wrist presence. One world renowned watch brand which revolutionized the bulky, technical-looking wristwatch was Rolex.
Their Oyster cases used for some of the world’s most famous models, such as the Seamaster, comprise a solid monobloc piece of 914L stainless steel along with additional features that enhance water-resistant qualities for diving professionals.
How thin should a dress watch be?
Dressier models like those from Vacheron Constantin and L U C watches from Chopard, for example, are generally thinner in design compared to bold diver’s watches or professional-looking pilot’s watches. L U C watches embody the highest level of craftsmanship, making them some of the most desirable in the world.
Whether it’s L U C Chopard watches or not, the classic look and style of an elegant dress watch are characteristic of a slim bezel, a simple three-handed or two-handed dial design and a thin, discreet case depth for pairing nicely with elegant evening attire. How thin a watch should be all comes down to personal preference and choice.
If you have a slender wrist, you’ll be looking for a comfortable case diameter, not just a slim depth, so sometimes it’s about compromising to find a wristwatch that you’re going to get the most use out of. To answer the question from a practical point of view, a slimline watch should be as thin as it possibly can to hold the size of its mechanical or quartz movement at its center.
Did you know?
The world’s thinnest mechanical watch to date is believed to be the Piaget Altiplano 900P, powered by a delicate hand-wound movement, which boasts a discreet 4.30mm depth. The brand also created the world’s thinnest chronograph watch – the Piaget Altiplano Chronograph, and, as mentioned earlier on in our guide, the world’s thinnest automatic – the Altiplano Ultimate Automatic.
In this guide, we’ve covered the world’s thinnest timepieces from material experts like Rado, to thin watches created by expert goldsmiths, Bulgaria, and even minimalist designs from Daniel Wellington, as well as alternative men’s wristwatches like L U C Chopard timepieces. With so many styles and materials to choose from, you can be sure to find a watch on the current market that will tick all the boxes.
One thing they all promise, whether an automatic thin watch or a slimline quartz watch, is that sleek, wafer-thin feeling when sat close to the wrist, making you, in turn, feel sophisticated and stylish whatever the design you choose.
