Top 11 Best Ultra-Thin Slim Watches [Affordable]

Top 11 Best Ultra-Thin Slim Watches [Affordable]

Brands like Piaget pride themselves on having achieved the world’s thinnest mechanical watch.

Thin watches are often referred to as ”ultra-thin” or simply ”slim”, and what sets these apart is of course the fact that they are extremely thin, or slim. The main benefit of a slim watch is of course that it is comfortable to wear since it doesn’t sit very tall on the wrist, and can therefore slide under a cuff without any issues. They also tend to be very comfortable on the wrist.

Ultra-thin watches come in many shapes and forms, and they can have either mechanical movements or quartz movements. Of course, it is much more difficult to make a thin mechanical watch compared to a quartz watch, and the simple reason for this is that a mechanical movement contains much more parts. Now, with that said, there are many brands that offer great ultra-thin mechanical watches, but generally speaking, the price tends to be higher. This also has to do with the fact that the movement parts in an ultra-slim watch are even more delicate and difficult to work with for watchmakers, compared to regular sized mechanical movements, requiring a greater level of expertise and precision.

With that said, when talking about affordable ultra-thin or slim watches, they mostly come with quartz movements, but there are also affordable options out there for those who want an ultra-thin mechanical watch.

It’s not always that you want an ultra-thin watch because these serve a purpose, and this purpose is not universal. Naturally, a thinner watch means less durability and longevity, and because of this, we don’t see sports watches that are ultra-slim, because it simply doesn’t align with the watch’s ethos.

What is an ultra-thin watch?

There is no fixed measurement of thickness for ultra-thin watches, but it can, however, be agreed that ultra-thin watches should have a maximum thickness of 10mm, but preferably thinner than that, less than 9mm.

The record of the world’s thinnest watch is held by Piaget, which has been able to achieve a staggering thickness of 2mm – and this is a mechanical watch! It’s safe to say that this is an incredible feat and an impressive work of craftsmanship that requires great attention to detail and development.

Most ultra-thin watches are dress watches since dress watches are meant to be elegant and slim, but ultra-thin is a trend that has grown in popularity over the years, partly because of their comfort, but also because of the proof of craftsmanship that the brands are able to show by making an ultra-thin watch.

With that said, we will in this article focus on ultra-thin watches with a maximum thickness of 10mm, but most watches will be much thinner than that.

In this article, we will focus on affordable ultra-thin watches, but we’ll also list a few higher-ticket watches as well. These are the watches that have received the best reviews and referents, and that are not only thin but also great in terms of build quality, reliability, and finish. So without further ado, let’s dig in.

Best ultra-thin slim watches

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Tissot T1096103603200 slim

Tissot is a well-known and well-respected Swiss watch manufacturer that makes high-quality Swiss timepieces at attractive prices.

The T1096103603200 is a dress watch that combines minimalism with traditional design features. Already at first glance, the watch appears as a dress watch with its round, simple case design, white dial, and of course, slim profile.

The case is rose gold finished to enhance its elegance. The diameter measures 42mm, and the thickness of this watch is a mere 6.5mm, making it definitely worthy of being on this list of ultra-thin watches.

This watch really has everything you may ask for in a simple and classic timepiece. It’s refined and toned-down design means that it will never stand out, only compliment your outfit.

Thanks to the very low thickness and quartz movement, this is also a very lightweight watch that you may even forget is on your wrist.

Specifications

• Water resistance: 30m/3 bar
• Crystal: sapphire
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Thickness: 6.5mm
• Diameter: 42mm

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Seiko Solar Powered Rectangular dress watch SUP880P1

Seiko presents the SUP880P1 which is a classic, refined and elegant dress watch that has many of the iconic design traits that are distinct for a dress watch.

Because of its design, it is most suitable for formal occasions. The watch has a rectangular case shape which instantly gets us thinking about the Cartier Tank, of course, which is the most iconic rectangular watch in the world.

This, however, offers a lot of what the Cartier offers, but at a considerably lower price. This Seiko has a yellow gold-colored rectangular case with a diameter of 38mm. Since it is part of our ultra-slim watches list, it of course ticks that box too, with a thickness of 6mm.

Seeing this is not a dress watch, the water-resistance of 30 meters makes sense.

All in all, this is a beautiful elegant timepiece that works perfectly for any formal occasion. It also incorporates Seiko’s Solar technology, meaning you won’t have to replace the batteries.

Specifications

• Water-resistance: 30 meters
• Diameter: 38mm
• Thickness: 6mm
• Movement: quartz, solar-powered
• Crystal: Hardlex

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Skagen Sundby Titanium Quartz

This is a popular watch from Skagen due to its appealing integrated design, blue dial, but also its slim profile, the ultra-thin case.

The watch has a 37mm round titanium case and features. Striking blue sunburst dial with a date window at 6 o’clock. The watch appears very minimalistic, but at the same time, has a touch of sportiness to it, for example, its integrated mesh bracelet. The thickness measures in at 7mm, and together with the lightness from the titanic, you will barely notice it is on your wrist.

The watch is water-resistant to 30m, so it is by no means a sports watch, but it will withstand splashes. All in all, this is perfect for everyday wear and not only looks great but also offers exceptional comfort.

Specifications

• Diameter: 37mm
• Thickness: 7mm
• Water resistance: 3 ATM/30 meters
• Titanium case

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Fossil Minimalist Stainless Steel Slim Quartz Watch

The Fossil slim casual quartz watch is exactly what its name suggests. It’s slim, with a thickness of 8mm, it’s powered by quartz, and it is minimalistic.

The watch has a 44mm stainless steel case and is powered by a three-hand quartz movement. On top, it has a hardened mineral crystal. It is available in several different versions with different dial colors, but regardless, the dial layout is very simple with thin, applied hour markers and classic hands.

This is an elegant watch with a touch of sportiness that will, despite its slim profile work great for everyday wear – both formal and casual occasions.

Specifications

• Diameter: 44mm
• Thickness: 8mm
• Water resistance: 50m/165 feet
• Movement: Quartz
• Crystal: mineral

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Bulova 96A133 Dress Watch

The Bulova 96A133 is a minimalistic ultra-thin watch. It has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 41mm and a flat mineral crystal at the top.

It has a beautiful brushed silver dial with large Roman numerals printed in black. As a monochrome timepiece, it is discreet and sleek but isn’t perceived as boring.

It is water-resistant to 30m/99 feet and powered by a Japanese quartz movement. Being an ultra-thin watch, it has a thickness of 6mm, ensuring it will sit extremely slim on your wrist. A perfect watch that works surprisingly well on many different occasions whilst also being comfortable and slim on your wrist.

Specifications

• Diameter: 41mm
• Crystal: mineral
• Water resistance: 30m/99 feet
• Movement: quartz
• Thickness: 6mm

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Seiko SUP896 Gold-Tone Solar-Power Dress Watch

The Seiko SUP896 is a gold-tone dress watch that works exceptionally well on formal occasions. It also ticks the box for being an ultra-thin watch with a thickness of 8mm. The diameter is 28mm, but since it has a rectangular shape, it obviously wears different from round watches.

The watch is solar-powered and therefore does not need to replace its batteries. On top of the case, we have a Hardlex crystal. The water-resistance is 50m/165, meaning it can last in the water for short periods of time, but going swimming with a dress watch with a leather strap isn’t the best idea anyway.

To match its gold case, it is also presented with a striking gold dial. All in all, its all-gold look may be too much for everyone, but still, it is elegant, classy, and slim.

Specifications

• Movement: quartz, solar-powered
• Water-resistance:  50m/165 feet
• Crystal: Hardlex mineral glass
• Diameter: 28mm
• Thickness: 8mm

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Skagen Jorn Minimalistic Quartz

This watch is probably the most minimalistic watch on this list.

It is presented with a stainless steel case with a diameter of 41mm, but the case design is slim, to leave most of the room for the dial. The case is also slim, with a thickness of 8mm.

Looking at the dial, you’ll notice nothing apart from the minutes and hours that have been incorporated, making it clean, simple, and elegant. No clutter, no-nonsense, just a simple and clean watch. And if that is what you enjoy, then you will love this watch.

It is water-resistant up to 50m, but again, as a non-sports watch with a leather strap, it’s not the best idea to be in contact with water-

Specifications

• Diameter: 41mm
• Movement: quartz
• Crystal: Mineral
• Thickness: 8mm

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Tissot Analogue Quartz T1096103605100

The Tissot T1096103605100 is yet another classic Tissot dress watch that puts minimalism at the forefront and has a simple and clean design. 

It is presented with a diameter of 42mm and a slim profile of 7mm. For those who enjoy, and to enhance its elegance, the case is finished in rose gold. The watch is powered by a quartz movement and has a sapphire crystal on the top.

The dial is exactly what we would expect in a minimalistic watch. Simple hands, and elegantly applied hour markers. This makes for a great watch for everyday wear, perfect with a suit or jacket.

Specifications

• Thickness: 7mm
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water resistance: 30m/3 BAR

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Tissot T0636101603800 Tradition Swiss Quartz 

The Tissot T0636101603800 is an elegant dress watch, but also a watch that has design traits that makes it more suitable for everyday wear and even casual occasions. In other words, its design has made it more versatile, which is a great thing.

The watch has a stainless steel case with a diameter of 42mm and a water-resistance of 99 feet. The thickness measures in at 7.4mm, which means it will sit really slim on the wrist.

For convenience, it is also equipped with a date window at 3 o’clock.

Specifications

• Diameter: 42mm
• Water-resistance: 99 feet
• Movement: Swiss quartz
• Thickness: 7.4mm

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Bulova Men’s 96B104 Dress Watch

Here we have the Bulova 96B104 which is a true classic. This watch is extremely popular thanks to its minimalistic design which makes it perfect for everyday wear, but most suitable for formal occasions.

This is an ultra-thin watch with its thickness of 6mm, and its diameter of 37mm is quite small also. This makes it comfortable to wear, discreet, and elegant.

The case is simple and clean, leaving all the focus on the dial. The dial is a brushed silver dial with a date window at 3 o’clock. It has slim pencil-style hands in polished metal and matching rectangular applied metal hour markers.

This really is minimalism in its most beautiful form. It shows that minimalism can be beautiful too, and surprisingly versatile as well.

Specifications

• Diameter: 37mm
• Thickness: 6mm
• Water-resistance: 30 meters/100 feet
• Movement: quartz

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Citizen Watches AR3074-03A Eco-Drive One

With a mere thickness of 5mm, this is definitely a watch that deserves to be on this list. The AR3074-03A has a classic and traditional design that makes it perfect for everyday wear. Whilst it is elegant and slim, it is versatile enough to work for many different occasions and not just when you are wearing a suit.

The stainless steel case measures 38mm in diameter and has a gold bezel ring for added elegance. The white dial ensures the watch is elegant and refined, but it does have a beautiful pattern and applied gold markers for contrasts. The watch uses Citizen’s Eco-Drive technology which means you won’t have to replace its batteries as they are charged by solar and ambient light.

Specifications

• Diameter: 38mm
• Water-resistance: 38mm
• Thickness: 5mm
• Movement: Quartz Eco-Drive

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Benefits of an ultra-slim wristwatch

An ultra-slim wristwatch has several benefits:

1. Comfort: An ultra-slim watch is lightweight and comfortable to wear, making it a great choice for everyday wear.
2. Sleek and stylish: An ultra-slim watch has a minimalist and modern design that looks great with both casual and formal attire.
3. Versatility: An ultra-slim watch can be worn with a wide range of outfits, from a business suit to jeans and a t-shirt.
4. Ease of use: An ultra-slim watch is easy to wear and operate, with a slim case and a simple, uncluttered dial.
5. Elegance: An ultra-slim watch exudes elegance and refinement, making it a great choice for special occasions or formal events.
6. Unisex appeal: Ultra-slim watches are popular with both men and women, making them a versatile and unisex timepiece.

What to think about when buying an ultra-slim watch

When buying a wristwatch, here are some important things to keep in mind:

1. Purpose: Consider why you need a wristwatch and what you will be using it for. This will help you determine the features you need and the type of watch that is best suited for your needs.
2. Quality: Look for a watch with high-quality materials and construction. A well-made watch will last longer and be more reliable.
3. Brand reputation: Research the brand and read reviews to get an idea of the company’s reputation and the reliability of their products.
4. Price: Determine your budget and look for a watch that offers good value for money. Don’t necessarily go for the cheapest option, as it may not be of good quality, but also don’t overpay for features that you don’t need.
5. Warranty: Look for a watch that comes with a warranty, in case there are any issues with the timepiece.
6. Style: Consider the style of the watch and make sure it is something that you will enjoy wearing. Choose a watch that fits your personal style and that you feel comfortable wearing.
7. Movement: Consider the type of movement that powers the watch. Mechanical watches use a spring-loaded mechanism to power the timekeeping, while quartz watches use a battery-powered oscillator. Mechanical watches are generally more expensive and require regular servicing, but they are also considered more reliable and have a timeless appeal. Quartz watches are more accurate and require less maintenance, but they may not have the same level of craftsmanship as a mechanical watch.
8. Functionality: Consider the features that you need in a watch. Do you need a chronograph (stopwatch) function? Do you need a date display? Do you need a watch that is water-resistant? Determine your needs and look for a watch that meets them.
9. Size: Make sure that the watch fits well on your wrist. A watch that is too large or too small can be uncomfortable to wear.