Thin Watch Shopping Advice
So long story short I'm looking for some slim watches. I wanted to try and get a Bulgari Octo Finissimo early 2023 but availability/price, cat needing surgery and realizing I will pay California taxes this year have dashed that hope. I know you all must be heartbroken.
All that being said I'm on the hunt for a fun thin watch. Ideally we are looking at a 10mm or thinner automatic watch with a decent bracelet under $2000 with a case width from 37mm-40mm. Not opposed to quartz or micro brands if the watch is cool. Not many levers to find thin watches on a lot of the sites so I'm beseeching the hive mind.
Mostly trying to get the ball rolling on what is out there. Thanks ahead of time 🙇 and show me what you've got 👀.
Professional hermit and a humble watch collector with a particular love of shiny things. Part of the council of Josh's.
SBGX259, 261, and 263 all meet your requirements if you buy off Chrono24 from Japan, given the strength of the dollar.
Its a struggle to find an automatic under 10mm and under $2000
Junghans Meister Driver.
No bracelet but 37.7mm diameter, 7.3mm thick. And pretty great looking. Well under $2k too.
I feel like if you're going that thin that a bracelet may undo all the thinness and lightness you've attained with the watch head. But that's just, like, my opinion, man.
A Hamilton Jazzmaster Thinline has a bracelet option and is 8.45mm thick. Might be a bit cheaper than what you were aiming for though.
Its a struggle to find an automatic under 10mm and under $2000
the game is the limitations. I could do more but the best art is produced with constraints.
My favorite watch.
It's only $160 but the case finishing punches so far above its piece point. Better than some luxury brand cases.
And there's not really anything else loaded with this many specs and features all in one. It's very close to perfection in my opinion.
You get a titanium case (ultra light and nice on the skin), solar powered, sapphire crystal (for scratch resistance), radio controlled (always on time), digital timers, 5 alarms, day date, world time and an orange LED light (easy on the eyes at night which is really important to me).
Sizing is perfect in my opinion. 9mm thick, 44mm lug to lug, 38mm case (40mm wide when including the button guards). And it's only 28g (1oz) with an ultra flat/wide caseback so comfort is amazing. And it comes in around 20 different versions if you want a different style.
It's pretty much the most feature packed high spec watch ever (especially if you care about titanium which I do).
The bracelet is a piece of shit but fkm rubber is great or throw on a soft nato.
Junghans Meister Driver.
No bracelet but 37.7mm diameter, 7.3mm thick. And pretty great looking. Well under $2k too.
I feel like if you're going that thin that a bracelet may undo all the thinness and lightness you've attained with the watch head. But that's just, like, my opinion, man.
A Hamilton Jazzmaster Thinline has a bracelet option and is 8.45mm thick. Might be a bit cheaper than what you were aiming for though.
I just like bracelets or mesh. I can always get leather bands and natos if needed after the fact.
You might consider taking a look at the recently discontinued Drive de Cartier extra flat. Sub 7mm height, 38mm diameterish. Its a handwind mechanical, sadly no bracelet but it is an 18mm lug width so I imagine you can get creative there.
Last I saw, they were getting absolutely annihilated on the secondary market (I've seen as low as $3250 on Chrono24, so I figure you can lop at least 400-500 off that).
I think grey market Nomos Tetra Neomatiks ($2500ish) would also satisfy the query 7.3mm and a 33mm x 33mm square (about the same surface area as a 38mm circle).
Lots of good options mentioned. Want a big brand? Tudor 1926 39mm comes in at 9.3mm and comes in a variety of colors.
If you go mechanical, it opens up a lot more options.
How about the Citizen STILETTO?
Cartier santos dumont
D1 Milano Ultrathin - 6mm x 38 or 40mm. Imho looks even better than what it's hommaging :)
Although this probably won't help as it's a limited edition and sold out it does demonstrate what can be got for an affordable price.
The ISL153 is a 38mm 44.4 mm lug to lug and surprisingly for an automatic movement comes in at bang on 10 mm thick. Very wearable and super comfortable with 20mm bracelet that tapers to 16mm at the clasp. RRP 369 dollars.