August 2017, 10,Paul Newman's Rolex Daytona sold for $17,752,500 at Phillips auctionThis was a huge amount, breaking the previous record for the highest price ever paid at a watch auction, and caused quite a stir at the time.
There are several other watches in the world that have amazed people by setting world records. This time, we will introduce some timepieces that have achieved world records for thinness and compactness.
Text by Thomas Wanka
Ultra-thin automatic watch
When Piaget's Altiplano Ultimate Automatic was released in 2018, it was recognized as an unprecedentedly ultra-thin watch. Its automatic caliber 910P, with over 200 components housed in a case just 4.3mm thick, attracted attention for its technical prowess. By placing a peripheral rotor on the outer periphery of the dial side of the renowned 900P movement, it achieved a slim profile despite being an automatic watch. The rotor is made of PVD-coated 22K gold, ensuring sufficient inertia to wind the watch. The case diameter is 41mm, and it is available in two models: 18K white gold and 18K pink gold.
Piaget
"Altiplano Ultimate Automatic"
The world's thinnest minute repeater
The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater is equipped with the hand-wound caliber BVL362, measuring just 3.12mm thick, and boasts a case thickness of just 6.85mm. Both the movement and case are recognized as the world's thinnest minute repeater models. The case is made of lightweight titanium, a material with a low density. Titanium is used not only for the case but also for the dial. The dial features hollowed-out areas around the indexes and small seconds, enhancing the acoustic effect. By pressing the repeater push button on the side of the case, the centrifugal governor (the repeater's speed-regulating device) drives the hammer at regular intervals, allowing the wearer to hear the regular sound of the gong.
Bvlgari
"Octo Finissimo Minute Repeater"
The world's smallest mechanical movement
Jaeger-LeCoultre's hand-wound Caliber 101 not only holds the world's smallest mechanical movement, but also holds the record for having held it longer than any other brand. The Caliber 101 was created in 1929, and Jaeger-LeCoultre has been producing it ever since. Measuring 14 x 4.8 mm and 3.4 mm thick, the movement is made up of 98 components and weighs just 1 gram. Only a small number of craftsmen are capable of assembling such tiny movements, and only a few dozen are produced annually. Jaeger-LeCoultre equips this caliber in its women's jewelry watches.
Jaeger LeCoultre
"Caliber 101"
The world's thinnest tourbillon
At just 1.95mm thick—thinner than a five-Swiss franc coin—the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic boasts the world's thinnest tourbillon wristwatch movement. Housed within the ultra-thin case is the BVL288 caliber, based on the manual-wind Octo Finissimo Tourbillon and featuring a bidirectional automatic peripheral rotor. By incorporating various innovations into this design, Bvlgari succeeded in making the movement as thin as possible, including the use of a peripheral rotor on the outer periphery of the baseplate and the elimination of the winding stem. The case is crafted from titanium and measures 42mm in diameter and 3.95mm thick.
Bvlgari
"Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic"
Automatic (Cal. BVL288). 24 jewels. 21,600 vph. Power reserve approximately 52 hours. Ti (diameter 42mm, thickness 3.95mm). Water resistant to 30m. Limited to 50 pieces worldwide. 1347 million yen (excluding tax). Bvlgari Japan Tel: 03-6362-0100
