20 Best Thin Watches (Review) In 2020

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 beat. 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.

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, 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.

Citizen never fails to impress, and their Eco-Drive series is usually their frontrunner to dazzle the minimalist watch lovers out there. They were able to achieve a breathtaking 5mm depth on this 36mm case, giving you a low profile when it’s on your wrist and a whole lot of style without demanding a larger presence. They were still able to pack a ton of features into their jet black Stiletto dress watch, including an agreeable 99 ft of water resistance for day to day tasks, and a scratch resistant sapphire crystal dial window.

That’s all accompanied by one of the best steel bracelet straps we’ve ever seen: seven links work in unison to deliver a unique look, but also an ultra comfortable feeling and dashingly smooth function. Unlike other steel bands, this doesn’t bunch up from slight movements. Your hairline dash markings keep the overall aesthetics of this Citizen watch face clean and simple, while the Japanese quartz movement powers your analog display from the core of your watch.

You came here for slim, all-black watches, and Titan is about to deliver. You’re looking at an ultra slim line 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 wrist watches and done it in dashing style to boot. Slip on the comfortable black leather watch 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.

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 of 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.

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.

Jungham is one of those brands that you’re not going to see in a Maxim issue, but you will recognize from your father and grandfather wearing them. These gents have been around for over one-hundred and fifty years, and they’re still crafting high-quality pieces to this day. While we’re not crazy about the plexiglass dial window, it’s abrasion resistant enough to wear when the occasion calls for it. Meister Hand-Winding 5202 Model only has a 7.5mm depth, making it viable for minimalist wearers.

Your movement is completely hand-wound but features one of the most beautiful displays we’ve ever seen. Your subdial and central dials are crafted in rose gold (like the case), giving you a glorious view on four markings that emulate the same material. Against the eggshell white case back with the additional minimalist markings, you’ll feel like you just stepped into the late 19th century to grab this piece. Their same great style dictates their classic design, and we couldn’t be happier about it. If you like rose gold watches, this piece is for you.

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 fully 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.

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.

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.

Hamilton has a history of sticking to American style, but usually with 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 simple 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.

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.

Feeling a bit on the posh side? Cartier Drive WSNM Watch tows 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.

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!

In the spirit of classic American style, Armogan took to a bold and edgy design, just within the parameters of being a thin watch. Their case thickness is just over 11mm, making it right on the cusp, but we can’t deny the power behind this timepiece. First off, you have a suede leather watch strap that feels like velvet on your wrist, treated to emulate a delicious chocolate brown color. That connects flawlessly to your stainless steel case without leaving too much room on the brackets, and contrasts the charcoal black watch face and white markings.

The chronograph function features a triple subdial, as well as delicate rapier-style hands that dance around the interior case diameter. You won’t have to worry about that beautiful sigh getting damaged, because it’s protected behind a wall of mineral crystal. With Japanese quartz under the hood, powering the analog display and day/date function, you’ll be ready for anything, and look sharp as a tack the entire time. With three subtle crowns, 165 ft of water resistance and a classic gentleman’s style, you’re ready to seize the day with Spirit of St. Louis. If you love chronograph watches, this one is an excellent choice.

Lacoste is known to make some stellar gentlemen wear, but their complete style and engineering prowess come into full form in Moon Ultra Slim watch. Touching on the style of this excellent watch, you get the Lacoste logo hovering just outside of your three o’clock marking, but apart from that, the watch face is fairly minimalist in approach: simple silver dash markings, off-white background, and bright green hands. That blends into the nylon strap (which is also slimline), giving you a fully tied together look.

Under the hood, you’re rocking a quartz movement with an analog display. Lacoste is known for being one of the longest-lasting luxury watch companies in America, and it’s for reasons like the mineral crystal dial window, featuring up to 99 ft of water resistance, and more. You’ll also find that in the spirit of thin watches, 6.1mm feels like a steel wafer on your wrist, while still promoting flawless function and dashing exterior. For more great branded watches, check out our guide to the best Diesel watches.

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.

Kenneth Cole is an inexpensive solution to men’s sleek business and casual wear, and personally, I own two of their messenger bags. They put together an excellently slim watch at an 8mm depth, even with the slightly larger Japanese quartz movement guarded inside the stainless steel case. That case also features a scratch-resistant mineral dial window, which adds up to 99 ft of underwater protection for your watch. It’s essentially okay against splashes and day-to-day wear and getting caught in light rain on your way home from work.

But it really picks up the pace in the style department. Featuring a minimalist face with single black strip markings, (each with a stark white tip), Kenneth Cole New York Sleek Collection Watch completes the illusion of even greater depth from the slightly depressed edges around your thin bezel. Your strap is polyurethane, which is comfortable for daily use but do keep in mind that it traps water beneath it after you wash your hands. Last but not least, we wanted to touch on the near-perfect coloring of the charcoal gray blending into the strap, and the subtle crown that you’ll barely even notice is there. If you are looking for inexpensive watches, check out our selection of the best watches you can buy under $1000.

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.

Last but not least, this watch comes in with the thickest case of them all, but still feels lightweight on your wrist and is designed in true minimalist fashion. The AARK Eclipse watch features an 18mm depth case of stainless steel, gold-tinted to match the regal feeling that you’ll proudly don when you slap this watch on your wrist. When it does land on your wrist, you’ll feel the soft interior of the black leather watch band, held tight with a buckle style closure.

Under the mineral dial window, you’ll have Japanese quartz running the show on your analog display. On the note of the display, it’s one of the most simple styles yet, featuring just three hands that extend fully from the center to the edge of the watch face interior, providing you will, dare we say, a full eclipse from time to time. You can take this down to 99 ft underwater if need be, and other than that, AARK kept it super simple in every other aspect. There’s nothing left to do but select the right watch for you, and enjoy the ultralight feeling. Find more great products like this by checking out our guide to the best Daniel Wellington watches.