Konstantin Chaykin Announces 'ThinKing Mystery', a Limited Edition Ultra-Thin Mechanical Watch
Based on their in-house ultra-thin watch measuring just 1.65mm thick, the new model integrates a mystery display with 'transparent eyes'.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 22:00
Independent watchmaker and inventor **Konstantin Chaykin announces a new limited model, the 'ThinKing Mystery,' based on his 'ThinKing' ultra-thin in-house watch with a case thickness of just 1.65mm**, introduced in 2024.
Building on research into the structure, processes, and reproducibility of ultra-thin watchmaking, this piece inherits the design of Konstantin Chaykin's iconic 'Joker' while adopting a special 'mystery display' using transparent discs.
## Ultra-Thin Watchmaking: Building a 'Reproducible Process,' Not Just a Result
The greatest difficulty in manufacturing ultra-thin watches is the necessity of making all components and structures function correctly within an extremely small space.
The thinner the watch, the smaller the clearance between parts, and the allowable tolerances become extremely tight. Even the slightest deformation must be managed at the micron level, making part selection and meticulous manual adjustments essential.
Therefore, the production of ultra-thin watches requires a highly controlled manufacturing system, including strictly defined work procedures, consistently maintained assembly conditions, and more extensive final inspections than usual.
Konstantin Chaykin's manufactory has established its own unique manufacturing protocols to handle these microscopic components with high precision, based on research and in-house technical know-how.
Konstantin Chaykin states:
'For me, this is not just a stroke of luck. It’s not a random coin toss landing on its edge; it is the result of a complete understanding of the process that allows us to reproduce the unprecedented thinness we once achieved.'
In bringing the 'ThinKing Mystery' to production, the manufactory quantified, technically analyzed, and documented each element supporting this 'non-accidental success,' translating it into a reproducible manufacturing process spanning multiple stages.
The case alone has approximately 40 process control points, reaching a level of precision more akin to aerospace engineering than traditional watchmaking. The conditions and numerical values for each step are recorded in internal documents and verified against strict quality standards.
## The 'Transparent Eyes': A New Joker Expression and the Idea of a Mystery Display
The 'ThinKing Mystery,' unlike the original one-off ultra-thin model made to break records, was born from two ideas.
One is the concept of the 'Joker' series, which is a signature collection for Konstantin Chaykin.
While inheriting its design, this work evolves with a new definitive detail: the 'eye' display part has a completely transparent structure. The crossbar from the previous structure is gone, achieving a more fantastical and impressive expression.
The origin of this idea was the 'Mystery 1000 Jewels,' created in 2007.
This piece was dedicated to the legacy of Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, a magician, watchmaker, and inventor. In a table clock he created in the 19th century, a single hand moved via a transparent disc, making it seem as if the hand were floating in space, while the movement itself was hidden within the case.
Konstantin Chaykin comments:
'The mystery display has a long heritage in watchmaking, and I already had successful experience with it. Initially, I wanted to incorporate it into the Joker, but as I explored it further, I found it was a perfect technical fit for an ultra-thin movement. The mechanism itself showed its potential.'
In the conventional structure, power transmitted from the side turned a wheel on a central axis, which could cause slight wobble during rotation.
In contrast, the latest version eliminates axial play by design, by using a lateral drive to directly rotate a solid sapphire disc. Furthermore, three rollers are placed around each indicator to stably guide the movement, bringing radial play to near zero while also suppressing energy loss from the barrel.
## A Structure That Pursues Practicality Despite Its 1.65mm Thickness
The case of the 'ThinKing Mystery,' despite being extremely thin, provides solid support for the overall shape and structure of the watch.
The case material is a high-precision, completely non-magnetic, high-strength alloy, offering high rigidity and corrosion resistance.
Furthermore, the in-house caliber K.23-3.1 is integrated into the caseback, which also serves as the mainplate for the movement.
Konstantin Chaykin says he is not merely chasing records for thinness.
'I can continue to challenge myself for even smaller fractions of a millimeter. But what is more important to me now is to make the 1.65mm structure robust and reproducible.'
The balance mechanism consists of two wheels arranged on the same plane, with their outer circumferences intermeshed by teeth.
One is responsible for the frequency and isochronism, while the other is equipped with a roller and acts as an impulse jewel plate, interacting with the pallet fork.
The ultra-thin barrel, which lacks a conventional cover, has also been revised, and reinforcing ribs have been added to the bridge that supports it. Furthermore, the barrel arbor employs an overrunning clutch with tungsten carbide balls.
As a result, the power reserve has been increased from 32 to 38 hours.
Additionally, the patented strap made of high-quality leather, developed specifically for this piece, incorporates an elastic insert and a flexible titanium reinforcement. It functions as part of the overall support structure of the watch, significantly reducing unnecessary stress on the case.
## The Delicate Finishing Process That Achieves Extreme Thinness
The final finishing of each component used in the 'ThinKing Mystery' is an extremely delicate task.
Even slightly over-polishing the metal or careless contact can cause unwanted bending, potentially affecting the precision of the entire assembly.
Therefore, the watchmaker proceeds with the utmost care and precision, taking necessary measurements at each step. This is essential to strictly manage the dimensions of the parts and maintain the specified thickness throughout, while preserving the required strength. The final finishing of the case presents its own unique challenges.
Konstantin Chaykin notes:
'Finishing a part as thin as those in the ThinKing Mystery is a challenge in itself. It is an extremely delicate task where the watchmaker's experience is decisive.'
The alloy used undergoes a very rigorous heat treatment, which significantly increases its hardness and resistance to plastic deformation.
This requires the watchmaker to have a highly refined sense for the condition of the metal and the tools. Even a micron-level deviation can affect the necessary clearances in various parts of the caliber and compromise the stable operation of the movement.
Nevertheless, the finishing of the case and caliber is carried out in accordance with the norms of Haute Horlogerie.
The bridges and mainplate are decorated with perlage and straight graining, the wheels with circular graining, and all chamfers are hand-cut and then mirror-polished.
Building on research into the structure, processes, and reproducibility of ultra-thin watchmaking, this piece inherits the design of Konstantin Chaykin's iconic 'Joker' while adopting a special 'mystery display' using transparent discs.
## Ultra-Thin Watchmaking: Building a 'Reproducible Process,' Not Just a Result
The greatest difficulty in manufacturing ultra-thin watches is the necessity of making all components and structures function correctly within an extremely small space.
The thinner the watch, the smaller the clearance between parts, and the allowable tolerances become extremely tight. Even the slightest deformation must be managed at the micron level, making part selection and meticulous manual adjustments essential.
Therefore, the production of ultra-thin watches requires a highly controlled manufacturing system, including strictly defined work procedures, consistently maintained assembly conditions, and more extensive final inspections than usual.
Konstantin Chaykin's manufactory has established its own unique manufacturing protocols to handle these microscopic components with high precision, based on research and in-house technical know-how.
Konstantin Chaykin states:
'For me, this is not just a stroke of luck. It’s not a random coin toss landing on its edge; it is the result of a complete understanding of the process that allows us to reproduce the unprecedented thinness we once achieved.'
In bringing the 'ThinKing Mystery' to production, the manufactory quantified, technically analyzed, and documented each element supporting this 'non-accidental success,' translating it into a reproducible manufacturing process spanning multiple stages.
The case alone has approximately 40 process control points, reaching a level of precision more akin to aerospace engineering than traditional watchmaking. The conditions and numerical values for each step are recorded in internal documents and verified against strict quality standards.
## The 'Transparent Eyes': A New Joker Expression and the Idea of a Mystery Display
The 'ThinKing Mystery,' unlike the original one-off ultra-thin model made to break records, was born from two ideas.
One is the concept of the 'Joker' series, which is a signature collection for Konstantin Chaykin.
While inheriting its design, this work evolves with a new definitive detail: the 'eye' display part has a completely transparent structure. The crossbar from the previous structure is gone, achieving a more fantastical and impressive expression.
The origin of this idea was the 'Mystery 1000 Jewels,' created in 2007.
This piece was dedicated to the legacy of Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, a magician, watchmaker, and inventor. In a table clock he created in the 19th century, a single hand moved via a transparent disc, making it seem as if the hand were floating in space, while the movement itself was hidden within the case.
Konstantin Chaykin comments:
'The mystery display has a long heritage in watchmaking, and I already had successful experience with it. Initially, I wanted to incorporate it into the Joker, but as I explored it further, I found it was a perfect technical fit for an ultra-thin movement. The mechanism itself showed its potential.'
In the conventional structure, power transmitted from the side turned a wheel on a central axis, which could cause slight wobble during rotation.
In contrast, the latest version eliminates axial play by design, by using a lateral drive to directly rotate a solid sapphire disc. Furthermore, three rollers are placed around each indicator to stably guide the movement, bringing radial play to near zero while also suppressing energy loss from the barrel.
## A Structure That Pursues Practicality Despite Its 1.65mm Thickness
The case of the 'ThinKing Mystery,' despite being extremely thin, provides solid support for the overall shape and structure of the watch.
The case material is a high-precision, completely non-magnetic, high-strength alloy, offering high rigidity and corrosion resistance.
Furthermore, the in-house caliber K.23-3.1 is integrated into the caseback, which also serves as the mainplate for the movement.
Konstantin Chaykin says he is not merely chasing records for thinness.
'I can continue to challenge myself for even smaller fractions of a millimeter. But what is more important to me now is to make the 1.65mm structure robust and reproducible.'
The balance mechanism consists of two wheels arranged on the same plane, with their outer circumferences intermeshed by teeth.
One is responsible for the frequency and isochronism, while the other is equipped with a roller and acts as an impulse jewel plate, interacting with the pallet fork.
The ultra-thin barrel, which lacks a conventional cover, has also been revised, and reinforcing ribs have been added to the bridge that supports it. Furthermore, the barrel arbor employs an overrunning clutch with tungsten carbide balls.
As a result, the power reserve has been increased from 32 to 38 hours.
Additionally, the patented strap made of high-quality leather, developed specifically for this piece, incorporates an elastic insert and a flexible titanium reinforcement. It functions as part of the overall support structure of the watch, significantly reducing unnecessary stress on the case.
## The Delicate Finishing Process That Achieves Extreme Thinness
The final finishing of each component used in the 'ThinKing Mystery' is an extremely delicate task.
Even slightly over-polishing the metal or careless contact can cause unwanted bending, potentially affecting the precision of the entire assembly.
Therefore, the watchmaker proceeds with the utmost care and precision, taking necessary measurements at each step. This is essential to strictly manage the dimensions of the parts and maintain the specified thickness throughout, while preserving the required strength. The final finishing of the case presents its own unique challenges.
Konstantin Chaykin notes:
'Finishing a part as thin as those in the ThinKing Mystery is a challenge in itself. It is an extremely delicate task where the watchmaker's experience is decisive.'
The alloy used undergoes a very rigorous heat treatment, which significantly increases its hardness and resistance to plastic deformation.
This requires the watchmaker to have a highly refined sense for the condition of the metal and the tools. Even a micron-level deviation can affect the necessary clearances in various parts of the caliber and compromise the stable operation of the movement.
Nevertheless, the finishing of the case and caliber is carried out in accordance with the norms of Haute Horlogerie.
The bridges and mainplate are decorated with perlage and straight graining, the wheels with circular graining, and all chamfers are hand-cut and then mirror-polished.
FAQ
What is the 'ThinKing Mystery'?
It is a limited edition ultra-thin mechanical watch by Konstantin Chaykin. It is only 1.65mm thick and features a 'mystery display' that shows the time using transparent discs.
How does the 'mystery display' work?
Instead of hands, marked transparent sapphire discs rotate to indicate the hours and minutes. This makes the symbols on the dial appear as if they are floating in space.
Why is manufacturing this watch difficult?
Because the components are extremely thin, precision on the scale of a thousandth of a millimeter is required. Reproducible manufacturing needs strict process control and proprietary technology, comparable to aerospace engineering.