On November 7, 2026, the 26th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) awards ceremony took place in Geneva. Konstantin Chaykin’s ThinKing Mystery, shortlisted in the Mechanical Exception category, received the special Audacity Prize. The award recognizes a bold, unconventional approach to watchmaking that challenges established ideas about watch construction and design.
Behind this achievement lie years of research and development at the Manufacture. In August 2024, Chaykin unveiled ThinKing, a mechanical wristwatch measuring just 1.65 mm thick, setting a new world record for the thinnest mechanical wristwatch. The watch incorporates three patented innovations: an ultra-thin winding barrel, a dual balance with toothed coupling, and a specially designed leather strap with resilient titanium stiffeners and elastic inserts.
In May 2025, the ThinKing Final Prototype, together with its PalanKing carrier case, fetched CHF 508,000 at Phillips, setting a new auction record for the Manufacture. In 2026, Chaykin unveiled ThinKing Mystery, retaining the record-breaking thickness while introducing a mystery time display: the hour and minute indicators appear to float in midair on transparent sapphire discs.
Chaykin’s history with the GPHG dates back to 2017. Since then, his creations have been shortlisted seven times. In 2018, his Clown Wristmon also received the Audacity Prize, and in 2025, Chaykin joined the GPHG jury. While his first award recognized the boldness of his artistic vision, the second celebrates his inventive mastery and contribution to the advancement of contemporary watchmaking.