Konstantin Chaykin ThinKing Mystery Watch Release

quattro · 2026-04-02T10:00:05Z

Explore Konstantin Chaykin's 'ThinKing Mystery,' a 1.65mm ultra-thin watch. Discover its Joker-inspired design, mystery display, and innovative K.23-3.1 caliber.

quattro

WPS member · Independents forum

23 replies874 views30 photos

Emmanuel, known as quattro on WatchProSite, offers an insightful first look at Konstantin Chaykin's 'ThinKing Mystery.' This article delves into the technical innovations and design inspirations behind Chaykin's latest ultra-thin creation, a limited edition that pushes the boundaries of horological engineering. Emmanuel's detailed overview provides essential context for understanding this remarkable timepiece.

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

About the H. Moser Concept Ref. concept

The H. Moser Concept represents the brand's contemporary automatic offering, distinguished by its fumé dial treatment within the Concept series. This reference showcases the manufacturer's approach to modern watchmaking through its 40mm proportions and palladium case construction.

The 40mm palladium case houses the automatic HMC 200 caliber, providing 42 hours of power reserve. The watch features a sapphire crystal and fixed bezel configuration, with water resistance rated to 30 meters. The fumé dial is complemented by a leather strap, creating a refined aesthetic profile.

This reference appeals to collectors seeking contemporary H. Moser craftsmanship in precious metal casing. The palladium construction and fumé dial combination positions this piece within the brand's modern offerings, suitable for those appreciating the manufacturer's current design language. Production commenced in 2015 and continues to present.

Specifications

Caliber: HMC 200

Case: Palladium

Diameter: 40 mm

Dial: Fumé

Water Resist.: 30m

Crystal: Sapphire crystal

Key Points from the Discussion

While appreciating the technical achievement, the original author expresses a personal preference for slightly thicker, more wearable ultra-thin watches like the Vacheron Constantin 1955, ref. 33155/000R-9588, which features the 1.64mm caliber 1003 within a 4.1mm case.
Another collector acknowledges the appeal of thinness but emphasizes that wearability on the wrist is paramount, echoing the sentiment that the Vacheron Constantin 1955 is an excellent example of a highly wearable thin watch.
A contributor points out that the mystery dial concept with sapphire discs has been previously utilized by Montblanc in their Tourbillon Heures Mystérieuses, initiated by Dimetri Cabbidou around 2004/2005, suggesting Chaykin's application is not entirely novel.
Despite not being personally drawn to the aesthetic of extremely flat watches or the mystery dial, collectors still recognize and appreciate the ingenuity and boundary-pushing efforts demonstrated by independent watchmakers like Chaykin.
The high price point of the ThinKing Mystery, estimated around half a million dollars, places it out of reach for many collectors, leading to humorous remarks about its exclusivity.

The Discussion

cazalea

Apr 2, 2026

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!

cazalea

Apr 2, 2026

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...

penfriend

Apr 2, 2026

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 ago (the original impetus came by Dimetri Cabbidou when he started at Minerva). So yeah, not such a big invention by Konstantin, I prefer his earlier models.

quattro

Apr 2, 2026

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 invented it: on the contrary, he clearly pays tribute to Robert-Houdin. Montblanc might have made their Toubillon before Chaykin's Mystery 1000 Jewels, but I'm not completely sure: Chaykin's watch is from 2007 and some information online suggests th

Concord

Apr 2, 2026

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 much. Great post Emmanuel, as always. Best, Ashot.

penfriend

Apr 2, 2026

which should date around 2004/5, initiated by Cabbidou. I have seen it at the Insitute of Minerva in the metal, named only Minerva.

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Konstantin Chaykin ThinKing Mystery Watch Release

About the H. Moser Concept Ref. concept

Specifications

Key Points from the Discussion

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