Watches and wristwatches have changed their face many times over the years. They come in different forms such as casual, dress, sports, and are designed to fit and function for various occasions. But none of these watches tell you the time in such an enchanting way as skeleton watches. These happen to be more than just a timekeeping accessory; they are a striking and elegant performance of design and movement.
What Makes a Skeleton Watch?
When it comes to skeleton watches, watchmakers start by stripping the watch’s dial down to their bare essentials. The secret is to reveal as much of the watch’s interior movement as possible – and do it in style. For watch aficionados, seeing the technical “openwork” artistry that represents skeleton watchmaking is a surprising peek into what makes timepieces work.
Whatever their brand, skeleton watches have an elegant ability to present the art of watchmaking to all. The open construction of a watch reveals the mechanism behind the timepiece, but it also offers the wearer a great perspective into the intricate inner workings. Perfect for gents as well as ladies who appreciate stylish watches and the craftsmanship that results in skeleton watches.
In spite of the apparent simplicity, creating a skeleton watch is not an easy task. It takes time and precision to produce a final piece that is not just durable, but also tracks the time in an accurate way. However, if you’re choosing a top brand for your watch, you needn’t worry. They are highly praised by fans who adore their craftsmanship, innovative designs, and luxury.
Merging functionality with fashion, skeleton watches reveal their hearts. They allow the wearer to enjoy an otherwise ordinary accessory by turning the ordinary into extraordinary. More than just showing you the time, these timepieces blend classic and modern aesthetics. So, if you’re looking for a handsome-looking, highly-functional watch that will sparkle on your wrist, choose one of the skeleton watches in our selection below.
Luxury vs. Budget Skeleton Watches
You’ll see that skeleton watches often fall into one of two categories. On one hand, there are luxury watches which are produced in limited editions by companies that specialize in the precise skeletonizing process. These watches retail for more than $1000, often going as high as $10,000.
There are also mass manufacturers, which produce budget lines of these watches ranging in cost from $50 to $200. Many watch aficionados have found flaws in the design mechanisms of these affordable timepieces, but even so, these models are attractive for many who enjoy the styling of skeleton watches but don’t want to break the bank to buy one.
Plenty of companies around the world produce skeleton watches. Just like most watches, the best of the best – the most highly-sought after models – are, evidently, designed and produced by Swiss manufacturers. Whether you’ve recently become obsessed with skeleton watches (like me), or you’ve always wanted to try this daring accessory, here is a list with the best timepieces money can buy. First, let us see five skeleton watches for men.
1. Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Chronograph Skeleton
Maurice Lacroix’s skeleton model was launched with the brand’s Masterpiece collection and is exactly that – a masterpiece. The watch is the perfect illustration of how the brand approaches watchmaking: with attentive detail towards both functionality and appearance. Many models on the market are either extremely good-looking or highly technological, but the Masterpiece Chronograph Skeleton can be both. Stylish and overall masculine, this device has an avant-garde design featuring a 45mm stainless steel case, as well as diamond-cut hour and minute hands.
2. Tag Heuer Carrera Heuer-02T
Truly one-of-a-kind, the Tag Heuer Carrera Heuer-02T is candy for the eye. The COSC-certified automatic chronograph is seamless in itself, and it also combines a titanium and carbon flying tourbillon. It’s rather expensive (as most of the items in this list), but it’s worth every penny considering that most Swiss-made watches with Tourbillon start at a much higher price. The unique technology it incorporates uses constant motion to average out the effects of gravity, keeping it precise and accurate. The impressive quality is given by the expert manufacturer, and the result is a skeleton timepiece that would excite any aficionado of the watch world.
3. Tissot T-Complication Squelette
The Tissot T-Complication Squelette combines meticulous craftsmanship with sleek, modern design. The mechanical hand-wound skeleton movement is quite visible through the watch’s dial and allows the owner to admire the intricacy of watchmaking without sacrificing the stylish design. This luxurious looking watch comes with a price, but it’s also made to the highest caliber with smooth finishes and contemporary design details. The Swiss-made item features a stainless steel case and 43mm in diameter. Add a black, leather strap in the mix and this great timepiece becomes versatile enough to complement just about any outfit.
4. Hublot Classic Fusion Ultra-Thin Titanium
The Hublot Ultra-Thin Titanium watch brings the elegant art of watchmaking into the 21st century – and the some! It features a unique and modern aesthetic which results in a stylish timepiece with a sleek and masculine look. The wearer can pair it with office attire or after-hours outfits with ease. The sharp and modern case is 45mm in diameter and manufactured from polished and satin-finished titanium. This takes care of the contemporary style of the watch, while the surprising alligator strap comes with a classic and sophisticated touch. If the appearance alone isn’t enough of a sell, note that this Hublot timepiece also features an impressive and unbeatable 90-hour power reserve.
5. Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101
The Audemars Piguet Millenary 4101 is the perfect gift for the avant-garde gentleman in your life. This highly-refined skeleton watch features an interesting and unique design, a lesson in combining functionality with gorgeous aesthetics. The embodiment of the art of watchmaking, this piece features a three-dimensional appearance, and an 18-karat, 47mm, rose gold case. Also boasting a silver-toned and anthracite dial, the watch comes with an off-centered disc, a 60-hour power reserve, a self-winding movement, and a small second display. All of these make the Millenary 4101 the ideal solution for your time-telling needs.
Skeleton Watches for Women
6. Akribos XXIV
Even though this design was originally believed to be the epitome of masculinity, there are several models of skeleton watches for women. This stylish Akribos XXIV model features precise Quartz movement and a scratch resistant mineral crystal. It is also water resistant, which means it will survive a tiny splash of water. This gorgeous women’s timepiece comes with a stainless tang buckle and an exotic cream snake strap. The Akribos XXIV logo is also engraved on the watch. This luxury wristwatch features a sophisticated gold skeleton dial, making it an excellent addition to any woman’s accessory collection.
7. Hamilton JazzMaster Viewmatic Skeleton
Are you looking for a stylish dress watch? Look no further than the precision Swiss automatic movement featured in this Hamilton model. Featuring polished silver-tone dauphine hands with bright accents and a continuously-sweeping silver-tone seconds hand, the timepiece includes a matte white exhibition dial with the black logo cozied near the 3 o’clock position. You’re going to love the handcrafted white croc-embossed genuine leather strap and the contrast stitching it complements so well. The polished silver-tone stainless steel bezel and the textured steel crown with ‘H’ logo bring it home nicely. It also comes with a stainless steel caseback, Sapphire crystal, and 50 meters water resistant.
8. Theorema Casablanca Silver Gold
The Theorema Casablanca is the gift any fine woman would love to receive. It marries the classic, the modern and the elegant beautifully, while also keeping every element in the open. The skeleton display gives the wearer a good look at the mechanical movements, which are meet the eye with fine complexity. The milled crown is surrounded by a jaunty frame, while the momentum is multiplied in the broad wreath on which the numerals of the minutes are engraved. Further inward, you will see the hours in Roman numerals in fine filigree, neatly set on the inner rim. For even more elegance, the watch includes a display with the phases of the moon at 6 o’clock. All in all, the Theorema Casablanca is not just exciting, but highly functional.
9. Versace VLB050014
Fashion, sophistication, and allure: The three words that could describe this Versace women’s watch. The black mother of pearl dial is encased in stainless steel, and it superbly features 3 chronograph sub-dials, luminous hands and indices, a date window near the 4 position, a minute track and a tachymeter bezel. Overall, you’ve already got everything you could need from a wristwatch. However, this Versace takes it a step further with a colored cabochon on the crown and soft black leather straps. Powered by reliable Swiss Quartz movement, this skeleton watch is water resistant to 50 meters and an ideal gift to any watch aficionado.
10. Hamilton H32425251 JazzMaster
Stainless steel case. A two-tone (rose gold and silver) stainless steel bracelet. How could you not fall in love with this masterpiece? The watch features a fixed rose gold bezel, a white skeleton dial, and bright rose gold index hour markers and hands. The analog timepiece comes with automatic movement and scratch resistant sapphire crystal. Thanks to the fold over clasp, you are sure to wear it in safety all throughout the day.
