Slimming Things Down with Five of the Finest Complex Watches Below 10mm

In the dynamic world of watch lovers and enthusiasts, there’s always a lot of chatter about size and dimensions. The diameter, height and length of a watch say a lot about how it will feel on the wrist. And while it might not be the only indicative factor, there’s no doubt about the importance of proportions. With that said, some watches hit the proverbial nail on the head when it comes to this all-important element, even when they throw in some added complexity for good measure. So in this week’s Buying Guide, we’re putting the spotlight on five mechanically complex watches that keep things below 10mm!

Nomos Club Sport Neomatik Night Navigation

Nomos knocked it out of the park with the Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer earlier this year and has just released three new and exciting Night Navigation versions. Size-wise, it’s a joy to wear, with a case that’s 40mm wide and 9.8mm in height. Add to that a price of EUR 3,940, an in-house automatic worldtimer movement and devilishly good looks, and you have a real winner on your hands! The new series captures the nighttime views of city life when flying, which seems very fitting for such a watch!

For more information, please visit Nomos-Glashuette.com.

Quick Facts – 40mm x 9.9mm – 48mm lug-to-lug – stainless steel case, polished – screw-down crown, worldtimer pusher – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – sunray-brushed dial, black – grid, orange or yellow details & numerals – calibre DUW 3202, in-house automatic – 21,600vph – 42h power reserve – worldtimer function – stainless steel bracelet, brushed & polished – limited to 175 pieces each – EUR 3,940

Gérald Genta minute repeater

One of the stars of this year’s Geneva Watch Days has to be the Gérald Genta Minute Repeater. This superbly elegant and stylish dress watch hides a beautiful minute repeater movement with a surprisingly crisp sound! The shaped yellow gold case is 40mm in width and just 9.6mm in height, and comes with a black onyx dial and yellow gold hands and markers. One of the finest finishing touches is the profile of the minute track. The inner edge is a perfect circle, while the outer one follows the case shape. Only 10 will be produced per year, at a price of CHF 320,000, excluding VAT.

For more information, please visit GeraldGenta.com.

Quick Facts – 40mm x 9.6mm – yellow gold case, polished – sapphire crystal front & back – polished black onyx dial – yellow gold hands & markers – white minute track – calibre GG-002, in-house – manual winding – 21,600vph – 80h power reserve – minute repeater function – black sheep leather strap with yellow gold pin buckle – 10 pieces produced per year – CHF 320,000 (excl. VAT)

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Chronograph RD#5

Next up is AP’s brilliant new RD# watch, the Royal Oak Jumbo Chronograph RD#5. Not only does it completely reimagine the construction of the chronograph mechanism, but it’s also lovely and compact on the wrist. The 39mm by 8.1mm titanium case has a function selector in the crown and a pair of almost flush-mounted pushers for the chronograph. The movement is mighty impressive, so do check our in-depth story with video here to learn more. For the rest, it’s typical AP and Royal Oak stuff. The price is CHF 260,000, and only 150 will be made. However, the technique is sure to pop up in future releases!

For more information, please visit Audemars-Piguet.com.

Quick Facts – 39mm x 8.1mm – titanium & BMG case, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal front & back – crown with function selector – recessed pushers – Bleu Nuit 50 Nuage Petit Tapisserie dial – white gold markers & hands – calibre AP 8100, automatic – 21,600vph – 72h power reserve – flying tourbillon – column-wheel flyback chronograph – jumping chronograph hours & minutes – integrated titanium bracelet – limited to 150 pieces – CHF 260,000

Bulgari Octo Finissimo perpetual calendar rose gold

The modern architectural watchmaking wonder that goes by the name of Bulgari Octo Finissimo comes in many guises. One of the finest and most complex ones is the Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar Rose Gold. The unusual, for gold at least, matte finishing of the case is exceptional, and is matched with a matte rose gold dial. The markers and hands stand out thanks to their black tone, and around the back, you get a full view of the micro-rotor automatic that powers it. At an incredible 5.8mm in height for the case, it is still the thinnest mechanical QP watch in the world. The price is set at EUR 98,000.

For more information, please visit Bulgari.com.

Quick Facts – 40mm x 5.8mm – 18k rose gold case, brushed & polished – sapphire crystal front & back – matte rose gold dial – black markings & numerals – skeleton hands – calibre BVL 305, in-house – micro-rotor automatic – 21,600vph – 60h power reserve – integrated rose gold bracelet with concealed folding clasp – perpetual calendar display – EUR 98,000

Piaget Polo Flying Tourbillon Moonphase

For centuries, mankind has relied on the Moon for navigation, timekeeping and so on, so it’s only natural that it’s still found in modern watches. But depicting the Moon’s trajectory as Earth’s satellite is not easy. Piaget has beautifully incorporated it in the Polo Flying Tourbillon Moonphase, which comes in at 44mm in width and 9.8mm in height. And as the name suggests, it also packs a tourbillon escapement that’s mounted on one side only and visible from both sides. It is presented as a limited edition of 88 pieces and retails for EUR 113,000.

For more information, please visit Piaget.com.

Quick Facts – 44mm x 9.8mm – titanium, brushed & polished – blue PVD gadroons – sapphire crystal front & back – blue dial with horizontal gadroons – applied indices & hands with SLN – moon phase & tourbillon ‘Figure Eight’ – calibre P, in-house – ultra-thin hand-wound – 21,600vph – 40h power reserve – flying tourbillon escapement – astronomical moon phase – blue rubber strap with folding clasp – limited to 88 pieces – EUR 113,000