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Best Thin Watches In 2022

This product guide was written by GearHungry Staff
Last Updated February 7, 2019
GearHungry Staff
GearHungry Staff posts are a compilation of work by various members of our editorial team. We update old articles regularly to provide you the most current information. You can learn more about our staff here.
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What’s in a thin men’s watch? We’re channeling the desires of minimalists and ultralight EDC fanatics everywhere, and bringing durable, lightweight watch manufacturing into the spotlight. The best thin watches stray away from everything that tactical and hiking watches strive for: bulky designs that look clunky on your wrist. You want that sleek, streamlined style that’s going to amplify your sex appeal, and dually give you a watch with far fewer components to take care of. There’s nothing wrong with wanting a low maintenance watch, so without beating around the bush any further, let’s take a look at the best thin watches for men, and talk about what makes them tick.

The Best Thin Watch

1
Fossil’s “The Minimalist” Thin Watch

fossil’s “the minimalist” thin watch

Fossil watches are one of our favorite brands here on Gear Hungry, partially due to their extremely simple approach to a lot of style elements in their watch lineups. With The Minimalist, you’re getting an 8mm depth on the case, providing this nice wafer-thin feeling on your wrist that just can’t be beaten. Pay attention to the simple blue and white-gold hands, giving a clear and crisp view of the watch face with nothing obstructing your path. You’ll also enjoy the view while feeling the plush leather calfskin band on your wrist.

Fossil fuels “The Minimalist” with a standard quartz movement, powering the analog display and keeping everything ticking. While you don’t want to dip leather in water, you’ll still have the peace of mind behind the 165 ft of water resistance that this watch offers. Part of that power is built behind the clear mineral crystal dial window, maintaining pressure and keeping your movement operating in adverse weather conditions. As an added dimensional bonus, your crown is rather small but included a textured exterior to shake things up.

Key Features:

Mineral crystal dial window

44m x 8mm stainless steel case w/ stationary bezel

165 ft of water resistance

Quartz movement w/ analog display

Leather calfskin watch strap

Specification:
  • BrandFossil
  • ModelFS5304
  • Weight10.6 ounces
BUY ON AMAZON

2
Stuhrling Original Calfskin Leather Dress Thin Watch

stuhrling original calfskin leather dress thin watch

Stuhrling isn’t age-old, but they do provide that classic quality that everyone looks for in a quality dress/casual watch. If you’ve been on the lookout for a high end looking watch without wanting to spend the associated budget, Stuhrling watches are for you. For an insanely inexpensive price tag, you’ll be sporting 165 ft of water resistance, thanks in part to the Krysterna crystal dial window protecting your Japanese quartz movement and analog display. You’ll also get an extremely minimalist date window on the three o’clock marking, without replacing it like other watches tend to do.

One of our favorite aspects is the genuine calfskin leather watch strap. With a bit of plush padding on the interior, Stuhrling Original Calfskin Leather Dress Watch feels excellent on your wrist from the moment you put it on. They’re able to maintain the thin 7mm depth on the case with a thin stainless steel bezel, a slightly gem-shaped crown, and a flawless connection to the brackets that keep your strap on. Between the dark gray bezel, stark silver hands and markings, and the charcoal watch face, this subtle style stays thin and minimalistic at all points.

Key Features:

40mm x 7mm stainless steel case

Calfskin leather watch strap

165 ft of water resistance

Japanese quartz movement w/ analog display

Krysterna crystal dial window

Specification:
  • BrandStuhrling Original
  • Model3997Z.5
  • Weight12.8 ounces
BUY ON AMAZON

3
Titan Mineral Quartz Thin Watch

titan mineral quartz thin watch

You came here for slim, all-black watches, and Titan is about to deliver. You’re looking at an ultra slimline 3.8mm depth on that watch case (no, that’s not an exaggeration or a typo). They’ve achieved one of the world’s thinnest wristwatches and done it in dashing style to boot. Slip-on the comfortable black leather watches strap and feel it around your wrist as you continue on your day, looking like a total boss. That strap sits on a durable metal rod that connects to the slightly curved case edge, of which you can see a very minute crown poking out of the side.

Thin watches come with their stigmas, and despite being one of the most ultrathin watches on the planet, with Titan Mineral Quartz Slim Watch you still get a 99 ft water resistance rating thanks to the sapphire crystal dial window. That protects your analog display and quartz movement, which powers a marking-less face with broad gold hands. Everything melds together seamlessly, and while our favorite was the jet black and rose gold model, there are six other ways to wear this slimline watch and look stunning while doing it.

Key Features:

44mm x 3.8mm stainless steel case

Water resistance rating up to 99 ft

Sapphire crystal dial window

Quartz movement w/ analog display

Durable leather watch strap

Specification:
  • BrandTitan
  • ModelNK1596NL01
  • Weight7 ounces
BUY ON AMAZON

4
Rado Black Dial Stainless Steel Thin Watch

rado black dial stainless steel thin watch

We’ve covered an entire buying guide on Rado watches in the past, and they’ve outdone themselves again with this gorgeously simple slimline Black Dial Stainless Steel Watch. First and foremost, it’s a 39mm diameter with a narrow 7mm depth, giving you that ultralight feeling on your wrist that you’re going for. Getting more into the technical specs, you’re rocking a quartz movement with an analog display, which is kept under lock and key thanks to the sapphire crystal dial window, completing the package.

Thanks to that high-end dial window, you’re also granted 99 ft of water resistance, making this perfect to resist spills and splashes. Now let’s talk about the band because it’s a focal point to this watch. The glossy feeling of the ceramic on your skin is a game-changer, especially when it flawlessly melds into the curved design of the watch case. That case features a minimalist crown, four dot markings on the watch face, and hollowed-out hands that overlap the Rado logo just beneath the twelve o’clock marker. Few brands can make simple look so sleek.

Key Features:

39mm x 7mm stainless steel watch case

Sapphire crystal dial window

99 ft of water resistance

Ceramic band feels smooth on your skin

Quartz movement w/ analog display

Specification:
  • BrandRado
  • ModelR27741712
  • Weight1 pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

5
Bulova Men’s Classic 98A167 Thin Watch

bulova men’s classic 98a167 thin watch

Bulova stands for classic style and a timeless design, and they’ve beyond achieved that with Classic 98A167. You see a lot of leather watch straps with thin watches, so let’s start from the outside in. This genuine leather band wraps delicately onto the rods supported by the ultrathin case, enveloping your wrist in comfort. That case, by the way, is only 5.6mm in depth. The regal appearance on top looks heavy, but it’s a wildly lightweight Bulova watch, even with the durable quartz movement housed in the case.

That powers the analog display that just looks lovely, to say the least. Your hands are hollowed out about halfway up, pointing to the gold marks on the twelve, three, six, and nine o’clock markings, while the remaining minimalist markings are crafted out of steel. The crown even comes into the display with a bit of color, tying the whole look together. You’ll get 99 ft of water resistance, a year calendar function, as well as a mineral crystal dial window to keep everything locked down. Thin and simple, yet enticing as they come.

Key Features:

Mineral crystal dial window

40mm x 5.6mm stainless steel case

99 ft of water resistance

Quartz movement w/ analog display

Includes a year calendar window

Specification:
  • BrandBulova
  • Model98A167
  • Weight9.9 ounces
BUY ON AMAZON

6
Skagen Men’s Sundby Titanium Watch

skagen men’s sundby titanium watch

Skagen is one of those age-old brands that you hear about, and let their watches speak for themselves. After being timepiece enthusiasts for so many years, it’s refreshing when a design like this catches us off-guard. Skagen’s Sundby watch has a full titanium case, and a metal mesh watch strap that feels like a delicate tapestry on your wrist. As for being ultrathin, the case depth is only 8mm and features a remarkably lightweight construction of under two ounces in total.

Considering it’s still housing a quartz movement, that’s impressive. The movement in question is guarded by a mineral crystal dial window, as well as a waterproof rating of 99 ft. One of our favorite design elements is the incredibly intelligent way they included the date window on the eighteen marks for your military time, as well as the outlying larger markings that the hands don’t directly eclipse over. From the entrancing sapphire blue watch face to the cloud-white hands, this is a truly captivating piece (that doesn’t run you a ton of capital). If you like colorful watch dials, make sure you also check our guide to the best green dial watches.

Key Features:

Quartz movement w/ analog display

99 ft of water resistance rating

Mineral crystal dial window

37mm x 8mm titanium watch case

Ultralight at just under two ounces

Specification:
  • BrandSkagen
  • Model233XLTTN
  • Weight9.1 ounces
BUY ON AMAZON

7
Bering Time Solar Collection

bering time solar collection

Bering includes a ton of flair and the authentic design of the Danes that you can’t find anywhere else in the world. Their Time Solar Collection 222 model runs off of a solar-powered Seiko movement, which keeps the analog display moving at all times. There’s a lot to be said for executing simplicity properly, and the watch face displays it with absolute beauty. You have your stark white numeral markings, as well as your lightweight minimalist markings along the way that paint this watch in the best possible light.

You’ll also be delighted to know that your dial window is scratch-resistant synthetic sapphire crystal, which lends its power to your 165 ft water resistance rating. We’re all here for thin watches, and Bering was able to bring this down to a 9mm depth without sacrificing the power source. Once you slip the metal mesh watch band on your wrists, you’ll feel like heaven has crept around your wrist. The sleek design is breathtaking, but the inexpensive price tag (especially for this kind of authentic design) of this minimalist watch is going to leave you speechless.

Key Features:

Scratch resistant sapphire crystal dial window

165 ft of water resistance

Seiko movement w/ solar power

40mm x 9mm stainless steel case

Metal mesh watch band

Specification:
  • BrandBering
  • Model14440-222
  • Weight1.32 pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

8
Tonnier Stainless Steel Slim Watch

tonnier stainless steel slim watch

Tonnier is an inexpensive brand that focuses on simplistic design and nothing but. We’ve done a guide before on all-black watches, and Tonnier Stainless Steel Slim Watch definitely fits the bill. Starting with the exterior, you get a glorious 42mm case with a maximum depth of 6.8mm, keeping things nice and light on your wrist. That lightweight design carries over into the smooth edges and minimalist design of the metal mesh watch strap, which feels just as soft on your skin as a leather calfskin strap.

While the style is subtle, including the black dial markings and white mini markings, the goods under the hood are far from simple. You get a Japanese quartz movement with an analog display and a narrow crown that you can barely feel on your wrist. The only major downside to this watch is that the water resistance rating only allows for 33 ft of use, meaning light splashes and the pitter-patter of rain, and that’s about it. Minus that, it’s an excellent and inexpensive way to dress up just about anything in your closet. Be sure to also check our guide to the best titanium watches for more great timepieces like this.

Key Features:

42mm x 6.8mm stainless steel case

Ultrathin and lightweight design under four ounces

33 ft of water resistance

Japanese quartz movement w/ analog display

Metal mesh watch strap

Specification:
  • BrandTonnier
  • Model4331794731
  • Weight2.4 ounces
BUY ON AMAZON

9
Hamilton Men’s Jazzmaster Thinline Watch

hamilton men’s jazzmaster thinline watch

Hamilton has a history of sticking to American style, but usually by adding their own elements that complicate the design. With their thin line Jazzmaster model, everything is as it should be. First of all, you’re working with a maximum depth of 7mm on the stainless steel case, which guarantees an ultralight feel on your wrist. Speaking of how it’ll feel, you’ll be pampered with the alligator leather watch strap and its soft lining, wrapping you in comfort.

Hamilton kept the glossy white of the watch face simply while adding slightly more bold silver markings and hands. You’ll also notice a subtle date window above the six o’clock marking. It’s all running off of Swiss quartz movement, and protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial window. That dial window allows you to delve down to 165 ft underwater if the mood strikes you (like a real dive watch), all while retaining the glossy sheen of the stainless steel bezel and round-bottomed crown.

Key Features:

165 ft of water resistance

42mm x 7mm stainless steel case

Alligator leather watch strap

Anti-reflective sapphire crystal dial window

Swiss quartz movement w/ analog display

Specification:
  • BrandHamilton
  • ModelH38511553
  • Weight1.9 pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

10
Frederique Constant Slimline Watch

frederique constant slimline watch

The trinity is here: leather, steel, and the color black. Frederique combines a black leather watch strap with the glorious sheen of a brushed stainless steel case, which only measures at 6mm in density. Despite the ultrathin size, you’re still supporting a powerful quartz movement and analog display, which helps to maintain the singular subdial and date window on the three o’clock marker.

Frederique Constant Slimline Watch looks posh, without having to endure the hefty price tag. You’ll get 99 ft of water resistance, a scratch-resistant mineral dial window, and a classic view of silver-colored Roman numerals supported by rapier-style watch hands. This watch is an open and shut case: you get what you see, and like us, we think you’ll love it down to its core. If you love one color watches, check out our guide to the best gold watches.

Key Features:

40mm x 6mm stainless steel case

Quartz movement w/ analog display

99 ft of water resistance

Singular sub dial and date window

Genuine black leather watch strap

Specification:
  • BrandFrederique Constant
  • ModelFC-245BR5S6
  • Weight2.1 pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

11
Cartier Drive WSNM Watch

cartier drive wsnm watch

Feeling a bit on the posh side? Cartier Drive WSNM Watch toes the line, being 18mm in depth (which is basically the border between standard and thin watches), and featuring a unique oblong case design. You’ll notice subtle design elements, such as the singular subdial and the three o’clock date window, but we’re looking at the whole picture for what it is: premium quality.

You’ll be sporting an automatic self-wound movement, fueling the analog display that rotates around the obscured Roman numeral case design. That’s also protected by the best dial window ever made: pure sapphire, which is scratch and abrasion-resistant. As an added bonus, you’ll also have 99 ft of water resistance (a feat in pricier watches), as well as a clear and concise view of the time with your midnight blue hands. For more posh options, check out our selection of the best front pocket watches.

Key Features:

Automatic self-wound movement w/ analog display

Sapphire dial window

40mm x 18mm stainless steel case

Singular and date display

Genuine black leather watch strap

Specification:
  • BrandCartier
  • ModelWSNM0004
  • Weight14.4 ounces
BUY ON AMAZON

12
Hublot Classic Fusion Manual Watch

hublot classic fusion manual watch

Hublot is one of those brands that you don’t immediately think of, but you won’t soon forget after slapping this on your wrist. Starting with the comfort, you get a black leather watch strap that envelops your skin in softness, while the thin ceramic watch case hangs on your wrist. That watch case includes a six-part screw-down stationary bezel and a ceramic two-screw cover over the gap between your strap and case. You’ll also notice (or perhaps you won’t) the very subtle crown that sits in a grayed area on the edge of your case.

Hublot Classic Fusion Manual Watch isn’t all about the aesthetics, although the skeleton case back doesn’t hurt either. Gaze into your watch as the mechanical hand-wound movement goes to work, knowing it’s protected by a high-quality scratch-resistant sapphire crystal dial window. Everything ties together with the broad dash markings, dominant minute and hour hands, and the 7mm depth on the case that keeps it feeling like a feather on your wrist. A beautiful skeleton watch you should definitely consider!

Key Features:

Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal dial window

45mm x 7mm black ceramic case

Automatic hand-wound movement w/ analog display

Skeleton style case window

Black leather watch strap

Specification:
  • BrandHublot
BUY ON AMAZON

13
Extra Slim Brown Watch, by Slim Made

extra slim brown watch, by slim made

We’re going as slim as possible here, and few can contend with a 7mm depth. Slim Made isn’t just a product preference; it’s a brand of ladies and gents that know what a minimalist, slimline watch really needs. They’ve strapped this stainless steel case with a durable brown leather calfskin strap, providing perfect stylistic contrast against the all-black watch face and dial resolution. You’ll also notice that the case is protected by a mineral crystal dial window, which helps maintain the 165 ft water resistance rating.

There’s a lot going on under the hood, such as the Japanese quartz movement with analog display, but aesthetically, they kept everything toned down as much as possible. The twelve markings on your watch face are actually slits in the metal, providing an additional layer of depth. The textured face looks gorgeous with the hollow body seconds and hour hand, and in perfect contrast against the steel gray minutes hand. Aesthetically, functionally, Extra Slim Brown Watch has it all. For more amazing watches, check out our guide to the best Invicta watches.

Key Features:

Mineral crystal dial window

40mm x 7mm stainless steel case

Japanese quartz movement w/ analog display

165 ft of water resistance

Calfskin leather watch strap

Specification:
  • Brandslim made
  • Modelslim made one 06
  • Weight3.04 pounds
BUY ON AMAZON

14
Xin Lingyu Casual Thin Watch for Men

xin lingyu casual thin watch for men

It’s difficult to pick apart inexpensive watches on sites like Amazon and determine what’s worth your time. In our efforts to find ultrathin watches, Xin Lingyu passed through the test with this startling design and killer function. You can choose from ten different designs, but our favorite has to be the gold-tone stainless steel with the midnight blue watch face. Xin Lingyu Casual features a genuine leather watch strap that slightly overlaps the rods that keep it in place, filling up empty space on your wrist.

But the real magic comes in when you look at the 6.5mm case depth, while still knowing it’s powered by a high-quality Japanese quartz movement and analog display. They kept that display as simple as possible, with single line gold-tone steel markings, and a date window on the six o’clock marking towards the bottom of your watch face. Despite its inexpensive price tag, you’ll still get 99 ft of water resistance to stand up against the wear and tear of everyday life. Our handy guide to the best pilot watches features more great products like this.

Key Features:

99 ft of water resistance

Japanese quartz movement w/ analog display

40mm x 6.5mm stainless steel case

Glass dial window

Option of leather or stainless steel bracelet style watch s trap

Specification:
  • BrandXIN LINGYU
BUY ON AMAZON

Thin Watch Buying Guide

We’ve seen the twenty best thin watches, but now it’s time to talk about what makes them tick (please excuse my horrible use of puns). Thin watches are primarily attractive due to their lightweight design and ultralight feeling on your wrist, but they’re also praised for traditionally minimalist design elements and approaches to the materials. It’s time to figure out what you need in your next thin watch.

How We Chose Our Selection Of Thin Watches

Quality - The best thin watches need to sustain a certain degree of quality. The only issue that you face with thin watches, is ensuring their strength and durability in certain situations. Quality can be defined by the case material, dial window material, and overall what the movement/display is made of. Most of this information will be available on individual product reviews.

Design - Design dictates function, and also affects how well a certain style can work. Slim watches don’t have the same difficulties of bulkier models: they’re designed with simplicity in mind, especially when it comes to maintenance. Ultra-thin watches naturally cost less to repair, and have fewer functions that can stop working (for instance, many of these minimalist watches don’t have date windows, luminous hands, or other unnecessary functions). Keep it simple, keep the design clean, and you’ll keep that watch for a lot longer.

Brand - We would love to say that brand doesn’t have anything to do with it, but one quick online search of slim watches for men, and you’re going to find a ton of inexpensive knock-offs that don’t last. In truth, with watches, the brands are like beacons of light in a stormy sea of numerous online cheapo companies looking to turn a dollar, rebrand, and fool people all over again. A proper, quality thin men’s watch should come from a reputable company with a long history. It doesn’t have to cost an arm and a leg, but you should know who you’re hopping into bed with for warranty fulfillment, repair, and customer service, before committing to the purchase.

Reviews - It’s astounding to see that just about any thin wrist watch comes with certain user reviews discussing its lightweight design in a negative light. We look towards informative, unbiased (and non-anger-fueled) reviews to help devise a shortlist of products to purchase and test. Even if you’re going for the thinnest automatic watch available, marketing material can be deceptive. The voice of the people should help guide your hand, but don’t be a follower. Don’t live and die by user reviews, but take that information into account.

Price - Slimline watches generally have a lower priced point, but either way, you still need to pay attention. Take our first pick for instance: Fossil's “The Minimalist” watch. It’s the embodiment of what all ultra-thin watches should be and doesn’t even come close to breaking the bank. You can be a collector without hemorrhaging your paycheck just for the sake of style. Thin watches cost less, because there are fewer things going on: revel in it, stash the savings, or grab two watches with all those savings.

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