Four Watches That Prove That Thin Is In
While no official standards are indicating when a watch can be called (ultra-)thin, it is reasonably easy to pass your judgment about it. The heights of both the movement and the watch itself are common knowledge for most watches, and can therefore be compared to each other and the record-holders in a specific category. Especially in recent years thin movements, and watches, have become en vogue again, as many people realized that in a sense they represent the nec plus ultra of the watch industry. Watches like the Bulgari Octo Finissimo also showed that it is not only classic dress watches that can benefit from this. Even the cool-factor of a modern-looking watch for every day, and every occasion, increases significantly when powered by an ultra-thin movement. Leave it to the following four watches to prove that thin is in.
Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept
There can only be one the thinnest, and it can hardly come as a surprise that this is a Piaget. The brand has been at the forefront of (ultra-)thin movements for over six decades. The Altiplano Ultimate Concept takes this all to the extreme, as it is so thin it looks like a photograph of a watch, rather than an actual working one. To achieve this, the watch is also the movement, as it is fully integrated into the case to save height wherever possible. Even the sapphire crystal is extremely thin, measuring only 0.2mm. For the case, there was a particular challenge as this was supposed to be so thin that most materials commonly used for watch cases would bent. Piaget opted for a high-tech cobalt alloy to avoid this from happening, turning a 2.0mm thick mechanical watch from a dream into a reality.
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin
While the Overseas is the sport model from Vacheron Constantin, this is fortunately not stopping the brand from making it in precious metal, or fitting it with an ultra-thin movement. The watch itself has a height of 8.1mm, of which exactly half is needed for the movement, which measures 4.05mm. It is interesting to note that Vacheron Constantin opted for a full-size oscillating weight designed like a compass rose and can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back. Thanks to an ingenious system can the alligator strap be swapped in seconds for a gold bracelet, or even a rubber strap, testifying that while this complicated watch and its movement may be thin, it is still a sports watch.
Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT
Bulgari holds quite a few records when it comes to thinnest watches in the world and among them that for the thinnest chronograph. Cased is the watch a mere 6.9mm thick, which is quite impressive when you realize that this Bulgari also features automatic winding and the classic column-wheel configuration for the chronograph function. The movement itself is only 3.3mm thick, and Bulgari could have probably made this Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT even thinner if they wanted to. Instead, they choose to show off the stunning movement through a sapphire crystal case back, and we thank them for that.
Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Ref.5367PT
With the Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Ref.5367 shows Breguet us how a modern-looking watch can be created through old-school craftsmanship. It is primarily the combination of the platinum case with the blue dial in Grand Feu enamel that achieves this, but also the movement packs quite a punch. It measures only 3mm in height, and it is fitted with a peripheral oscillating weight, silicon escapement, and balance spring, and offers a very generous power reserve of 80 hours. This is quite an achievement in such a thin movement. Of course, does the movement also feature a tourbillon, a signature complication as Breguet was the brand that invented it. With an overall height of just 7.45mm is this Breguet a tribute to the past, yet also a testimony that ultra-thin watches have a solid footing in the future.
