At Just 9.34mm Thick, This New VPC Diver Rewrites What 200m Watches Can Be

When it comes to dive watches, 200m of water resistance seems to be the limit that separates everyday “desk” divers and watches that are actually intended to be taken into the ocean. However, the higher the depth rating, typically, the thicker the watch.

Out of nowhere, Dutch microbrand VPC, who’s only been around for 3 years, released its sophomore model, which it’s claiming is the thinnest 200m diver on the planet, and we can’t argue much.

A Record-Breaking Profile

The new Type 39VM has a thickness of 9.34mm, including the crystal. According to our research, we couldn’t really find any 200m dive watches on the market that ventured much below 12mm at all. The Citizen Promaster Dive is the smallest we found, starting at around 11.5mm. Meanwhile, Timex’s Deepwater Reef 200 Titanium Automatic (which we thought was pretty darn comfortable on the wrist in our hands-on review) clocks in at 13.5mm and even the more obscure Addiesdive Ultra Thin 200 m Quartz has a 12mm thickness. Needless to say, the VPC diver may very well have the record by a landslide.

The VPC Story

For those unfamiliar, VPC (Venustas Per Constantiam, or “beauty through restraint”) was founded by Thomas van Straaten, a former vintage watch dealer and Fratello editor who launched the brand as a passion project in 2023. His debut watch, the Type 37HW, was a hand-wound sports watch that featured subtle mid-century aesthetics. However, he’s gone above and beyond expectations with the new 39VM

Aside from the boasted thinness, VPC really focused on the visuals here as well, including custom typography designed specifically for a circular bezel. The dial is available in either Graphite or Frost colorways.

The Technical Breakdown

At 39mm in diameter and 47mm lug-to-lug, the Type 39VM is pretty well sized all around. But the real story is how VPC packed legitimate dive watch specs into such a slim case. The screw-down crown, 120-click unidirectional bezel with matte black ceramic insert, and 200m water resistance are all standard issue for serious divers, but cramming them into 9.34mm of vertical space required some adroit engineering.

Inside is a top-grade Sellita SW300-1b movement, COSC-certified and delivering 56 hours of power reserve at 28,800 VpH. The movement itself is only 3.6mm thick, which helps, but getting everything else to play nice in such limited real estate meant tightening tolerances throughout the watch. The hard-coated 316L stainless steel case reaches 1,800 Vickers hardness to resist scratches, and the flat sapphire crystal gets anti-reflective coating on the underside only.

Dial-wise, you’ve got two options: Graphite (black) or Frost (silvery white). Both feature matte finishes with layered lacquer creating subtle depth, applied diamond-cut indices, and dauphine hands filled with BGW9 Super-LumiNova that glows blue. The bezel markings are also fully lumed using a ceramic mix.

VPC redesigned their original Type 37HW bracelet with a new single-button quick-release system and push-button microadjustable clasp — both features you’d typically find on watches twice the price. The quick-release works on the optional HNBR rubber strap too, and swapping between them should only take seconds.

Spec Sheet

Pricing & Availability

Limited to 300-500 pieces depending on presale success, the Type 39VM is available for pre-order now through VPC’s website, priced at €2,768 (~$3,100) on the bracelet, or €3,267 (~$3,380) for both, with deliveries expected in 7-9 months.

Recap

VPC Type 39VM 200m Dive Watch

Dutch microbrand VPC just dropped the Type 39VM, a 200m dive watch that measures only 9.34mm thick—essentially blowing past everything else on the market by a solid 2mm. It’s their second release since launching in 2023.

Learn More: VPC