Known as a skeleton watch, this highly mechanical piece contains visible moving parts on both the front and back, called an exhibition case. The dials of these timepieces disclose the intricate workings of the watch within, as well as the movement itself. See the bare essentials and reveal the inner workings. In certain cases, the caseback is translucent, allowing light to shine straight through the watch and highlighting the skeletal shape.
Skeleton watches are also known by their French term, “squelette,” which means “skull.”
This is a great option if you have a penchant for the technical side of things. And there are so many wonderful models to pick from these days. Thanks to the fact that more and more manufacturers are coming up with innovative designs. Generally, they are high-end watches.
Skeleton watches are distinguishable by their complex design. Watch enthusiasts and collectors both find the intricacies of horology intriguing, and seeing what goes on within a watch is a delight to see. See-through designs are popular among horology enthusiasts and collectors alike.
Those who appreciate fashion and engineering will find skeleton watches to be an excellent choice – they are both attractive and functional.
Let’s have a look at 15 excellent skeleton watches that you can purchase right now. If you want something that is both technological and visual. Though, warning, you may have to remortgage your house for some of these. But don’t worry, we have some budget-friendly options, too.
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Stührling Original Automatic
When you’re wearing this watch, you can see the mechanism at work: The complex mechanism is visible in action thanks to the crystal-clear cutaway dial and exhibition case back. On the face you’ll find a polished bezel. Featuring an alligator embossing on the black leather strap, this accessory is sure to turn heads.
It is not required to use batteries: The automatic self-winding mechanism of your timepiece ensures that it continues to function for the whole time that you are wearing it.
One very popular Skeleton Watch is this Legacy Collection Anatol. It has a The Sun/Moon Subdial and the GMT Subdial allow you to keep track of the time of day and night. It’s also water-resistant to 50m.
Another good looking skeleton watch from Stührling is the Prospero. It comes in different styles but we like the one below in particular, so we bought it and made a special video for it. See below
Bulova Men’s Classic Automatic Skeleton Watch
This is a part of the Automatic Collection. The 43mm case shows off its stainless steel case with silver and blue skeleton dial and exhibition case back, self-winding movement, flat mineral glass, stainless steel bracelet with double-press deployment closure, and water resistance to 100 metres.
Invicta Men’s Specialty Stainless Steel Mechanical Hand Wind Watch
Many people will be drawn to the Specialty because of its cheap price, and there’s no doubting that the Skeleton dial stands out from the average sub $100 watch.
The skeleton dial dominates the appearance of the Specialty, which is housed in a largeish 42mm casing. The Roman Numeral hour markers and dots surrounding the outermost part of the dial, in addition to the skeleton, just add to the confusion of an already busy display. It utilises a hand-wound movement, which is something new.
If you’re looking for a watch with some “cool” element, and you believe the Specialty has it, it’s a good buy. You can read more about Invicta here.
Swatch Big Bold Transparent (BIG BOLD JELLY)
It is up to you to make the most of your time. BIG BOLD Chrono is a collection of style statements that will encourage you to dream larger, bolder, and make the most of your time.
The BIG BOLD JELLY is the BIG BOLD family’s newest invention. With its one-of-a-kind design, it heralds a new age in which you may express yourself as clearly as possible. With a completely clear 47mm dial and a semi-transparent silicone band, you can keep track of those excessively lengthy meetings and boring Friday night dates without upsetting anybody. What’s with the bright blue, red, and yellow hands? Those are the moments when you can express your thoughts loudly without making a sound. Except for the ticking, which is satisfying to hear.
Casio G-Shock X-Large Skeleton
G-Shock’s X-Large case designs feature high-gloss finishes and gold dials for an eye-catching appearance. This black and gold watch is both analog and digital.
Featuring:
- Auto LED Light with afterglow
- Shock resistance
- Magnetic resistance
- 200m water resistance
- World time hourly time signal
- Stopwatch
- Countdown timer
- Four daily alarms plus one snooze alarm
- Auto-calendar (full auto-calendar, programmed until 2099)
- Formats for 12/24 hour timing
Tissot T-Complication Squelette
The Tissot T-Complication Squelette is high-quality when it comes to quality artistry. With a stainless steel case, 43mm diameter face, and a luxury, black leather strap, your wrist will look great no matter what outfit you choose to pair it with!
The Tissot T-Complication Squelette does the same job as the Cartier but at a more affordable price. Essentially, it marries detailed development and modern design.
When it comes to the skeleton features, you can enjoy watching the intricate inner workings and still telling the time with ease. Some of the workings are stainless steel, and others are gold, which helps you work out how each part works to tell you the time.
The watch itself is hand-wound, which is a popular choice with traditional watch lovers. The Tissot T-Complication Squelette is not just stylish; it is one of the best skeleton watches on the market right now.
The wearer simply needs to look at their wrist to appreciate the meticulous detail of the mechanical hand-wound movement. There’s an incredible intricacy and it all looks stunning. It has the highest calibre of finish possible and everything has a sharp finish. In fact, it would set off a tux perfectly.
Maurice Lacroix Squelette
The Chrono skeleton is part of Maurice Lacroix’s signature collection and rightly so. It’s perfection! It has the brand’s signature design as well as superb functionality.
Overall it’s sleek and masculine. The design shows off the big 43mm stainless steel case and the sword cut minute and hour hands. Inside is a power reserve of 48hrs and a 30 minute counter.
Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Chronograph
The Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Chronograph is a top of the range timepiece that exudes style and sophistication. It is one of the best skeleton watches on the market and offers excellence in design and functionality so that your wrist will look great and work hard for you.
The watch comes in a stainless steel housing and is 45mm in diameter, providing a clear and easy to read clock face without being too large or overbearing. The watch strap is made from premium black leather, and the inner workings are all made from stainless steel. One of the most striking features of this beautiful watch is the stainless steel, diamond-cut clock hands. Interestingly, the only contrast to the stainless steel is the blue second hand that provides a pop of colour that is not overbearing. If you want the best of the best, this is probably the watch for you.
Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 01
Not only is Tag Heuer a household name, but they have released the Carrera Calibre Heuer 01, a skeleton watch built for people who love motor racing! The watch’s casing features a beautifully engraved tachymetric scale, and the colour scheme is white, black, silver, and red, evoking memories of some of the most iconic race cars of all time.
The watch itself is made from stainless steel that has been coated in titanium and offers a robustness that will help you enjoy your watch for longer than ever. The skeleton part of this watch uses a 39-jewel movement and is impressive to watch in action. While this watch has been made for a niche market, we think that it is stylish enough to look great on any wrist.
Hublot Classic Fusion Watch
If you like your watches slim, then the Hublot Classic Fusion is a great choice because it is ultra-thin and sits comfortably on your wrist. Made from titanium with an alligator strap, it offers a modern twist on a traditional watch.
The hands are easy to read, and the inner workings are on display, so you can enjoy watching time pass in style. The other great thing about this device is that it comes with a ninety-hour power reserve so that you will never be without the time when you need it the most.
Bolyte Tourbillon Analog Automatic
OK, let’s be realistic about the budget now. Where it’s nice to drool over the very pinnacle of luxury, you surely want to know what you can afford.
If you like the tourbillon design, Bolyte is here with an offering under $50 that looks wildly more expensive.
Brushed stainless steel bezel with an octagonal shape, rhinestone hour markers, and a second dial at the 9 position.
A high-quality automated mechanical movement is inside for precise timekeeping.
Water resistance of up to 1 ATM (10m). Water and splash resistant, but not suitable for swimming or diving.
Rotary Greenwich Automatic
The skeleton Greenwich family’s sophisticated craftsmanship has rapidly become a classic mainstay for Rotary Watches, with beautiful exposed automatic movement. Incorporating a beautiful curved ‘cage’ construction that provides extra room and light around the self-winding movement, this watch has evolved the Greenwich family.
This structure, along with the brightness of the mid-blue dial, adds depth to the watch, highlighting its remarkable intricacy. Each ‘strut’ element inside the complexed ‘caged’ design serves as an index, and is capped with a luminous hour marker, guaranteeing that this watch is the perfect mix of utility and beauty.
The hour and minute hands have a semi-skeleton construction that allows full visibility of the mechanisms within. Which complements the complex dial. The stainless steel case is 42mm in diameter and is complemented with a stainless steel band with an embedded H link and deployment clasp.
BINLUN 18K Gold Plated Automatic Dress Watch
Let’s be honest, this watch is audacious. Each one has a total of 21 diamonds sourced from Japan. Inside, a self-winding automatic mechanical watch movement by Miyota.
Clearly, this is a high-fashion skeleton watch. Though durability is here too, with a scratch-resistant synthetic sapphire crystal window, an 18K gold-plated stainless steel case and band, a diamond bezel, lighted hands and hour markers, and a diamond bezel.
Water-resistant to 50 metres, you can wear it when swimming, surfing, or bathing.
This luxury watch for men has a hidden push-button clasp and exhibition back to view the movement.
Finally, the details include a case thickness of 10mm, case diameter of 39mm), a band width of 21mm and a band diameter of 8.67in (22cm).
Rado Men’s Centrix Open Heart Swiss Automatic Watch
The Automatic Open Heart from the famous Centrix line demonstrates that it is what is on the inside that matters, with a peek of the high-quality Swiss automatic movement hidden within. These timepieces are intended to look beautiful for a long time, thanks to Rado’s distinctive sapphire crystal that provides scratch-resistant brilliance.
Rado watches are made from only the highest-quality materials, which are authorised by the company. It is not enough to be sturdy; it is also important to be beautiful and comfortable. In order to fulfil all three of these objectives, Rado was the first to utilise high-tech ceramic, which is a material that Rado developed in-house.
All skin types can use this product since it is hypoallergenic. Adjusts to the temperature of your skin. You can wear it for any event or activity without worrying about getting scratches. Plus it’s lightweight and comfy enough to wear all day long.
Fossil Men’s Townsman
Fossil is driven by the creation of high-quality, stylish accessories that are both enjoyable and affordable.
Our final suggestion is the Townsman. Transparent and cool, its unique see-through dial allows you to glimpse into the watch’s inner workings. Whether you’re getting ready for the workplace or going out on the weekend, this watch will make a statement.
Boost the sophistication of your attire by wearing a refined wristwatch that has a stunning vintage appeal, such as this Fossil Townsman timepiece. The back of the case is made of stainless steel. A leather strap with an adjustable clasp fastening completes the look. The face is rounded, with a luminescent two-hand analogue display with two sub-dials and branding. The dial, which is partially visible, is decorated with chrome-tone hands and hour markers.
The dial, which is partially visible, is decorated with chrome-tone hands and hour markers. 50m of water resistance.
Conclusion
Skeleton watches are like no other watches. Offering an open-worked dial that is yet visible enough to show the time is a difficult balance to strike. Some watchmakers use a smart double-duty strategy, with components of the mechanism also serving as hour indicators. While some watchmakers choose to keep the movements simple for a more minimalist look, others like to use ornamental features and contrasting metals to draw attention to the movement.
If you weren’t familiar with this type of watch and it’s got you wondering how many kinds there are, take a look at our article explaining types of watches.
If you’re now curious about the more expensive watches the market has to offer, you’ll love this article.
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Last Updated on November 11, 2021
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