tom austin
A staple of Richard Mille and Audemars Piguet products, skeleton dials are one of the most coveted manufacturing techniques in watchmaking today. With its roots dating back to the 1700s, watch enthusiasts have become obsessed with being able to admire technically beautiful movements through openwork dials. This has led to the creation of some of the most valuable works in horology. Since then, brands have followed the trend and many now include skeleton lines in their collections. Thankfully, some are taking the more affordable route of bringing skeletonized dials to the masses.
Swatch Black Skeleton
Swatch has had a really great few years with a focus on the Moonswatch and its newest offering, the Swatch x Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. One thing these releases have done is put a surprisingly large spotlight on the rest of the products, and it’s always possible that they’ll get even more attention from the media. The Swatch Black Skeleton stands out in the brand’s lineup of bags with style and value, and thanks to the Swatch quartz movement, it’s only 6.7 mm thick. While this movement isn’t the most glamorous one ever made, it fits Swatch’s simple design ethos and is reminiscent of what Swatch has excelled at since the ’80s. Finishing off the watch is a simple black leather strap that tapers towards the case, again typical Swatch style. For those on a budget, the Swatch Black Skeleton makes for great everyday wear. Price: $195.
hamilton jazzmaster skeleton auto
Hamilton is no stranger to skeleton dials, and several lines in their catalog feature them. The Jazzmaster Skeleton Auto is a contemporary dress watch available in 40mm or 36mm sizes, stainless steel, and a choice of black, white, purple, or blue dials. The case is a traditional design with subtle polishing and brushed areas, and a perfectly thin bezel that frames the all-important dial. One of the biggest criticisms of skeleton watches is that legibility is an issue, but Hamilton has managed to create a carefully thought out dial that is balanced while still looking clear and luxurious. did. The movement you can see working is the H-10-S caliber. This is a time-limited ETA-based movement with a visible Côtes de Genève finish as a finishing touch. It’s not all about looks. With an impressive power reserve of 80 hours, this version of the Hamilton Jazzmaster Skeleton is a versatile watch that you can wear with confidence. Price: From USD 1,430 at T+T Shop
Rado Deerstar Original Skeleton
Introduced in 1962, the Rado Diastar is the result of 50 years of watchmaking expertise and was launched as the world’s first scratch-resistant watch. Its futuristic design, made from ultra-hard-wearing metal, was a hit and formed an important foundation for Rado’s design language for decades to come. Today, the DiaStar remains in production, but the outer bezel is even more wear-resistant and made from Rado’s proprietary ceramic-based material called Ceramos. The 38mm watch features a stainless steel case with a nearly lug-free look, matched with a stainless steel bracelet. The movement is fully visible through the anthracite skeleton dial, with floating gold-coloured indexes that match the hands. The movement is an ETA C07-based R808 automatic, boasting a huge power reserve of 80 hours and a light appearance. Price: $2,050
Tissot T-Complication Skret Mechanical
Skeleton dial watches tend to be the opposite of delicate, and none are more subtle than a 43 mm openwork watch. If you like your watch to attract attention, you should definitely consider the Tissot T-Complication Squelette. First, the mechanical winding movement is built in such a way that you can see straight through the entire watch, all the way to the case back. The dial furniture is mounted around the chapter ring and is surprisingly easy to read with a large alpha hand tipped with luminescent material. A little less noticeable is the small seconds hand at 3 o’clock. This striped-back conversation starter is housed in a 43mm stainless steel case with a fully brushed finish, perhaps in an attempt to tone down the overall look. Price: $2,140 at T+T Shop
Oris Artelier Skeleton
Now part of the old guard, the Oris Artelier Skeleton was released in 2016, but it still deserves a spot on this list as a classy and functional skeleton watch. The 40mm Artelier stainless steel case has an elegant and well-proportioned design. The dial has a bold, thick border surrounding an openwork center section, but if you look closely you can also see the silver guilloché finish, but it’s subtle enough that you might miss it if you’re not paying close attention. For the more daring customers, it is also available with diamonds. The silver hands match the silver indexes, and the Oris logo is featured at 6 o’clock. The Sellita-based Oris 734 movement stands out at the center and is nicely finished, giving the wearer a great view of the beating heart of the watch. It is a simple three-hand watch with a power reserve of 38 hours. Price: $2,600
Raymond Weil Freelancer RW1212 Skeleton
Skeletonized watches are often a matter of taste, but some brands do it well, creating designs that are naturally unique and appealing, while others are less creative. Instead, the dial is sometimes simply made with many holes and gaps, which is called skeletonized. But that’s not the case with Raymond Weil Freelancer. Part steel, part bronze, the RW1212 skeleton model is tastefully designed with careful attention to functional construction, but it looks much more expensive and complex than it appears. The RW1212 movement is made by Sellita and has a 41-hour power reserve and an unusual bridge on the balance wheel. The 42mm case has a brushed finish throughout, reducing the watch’s flashiness and drawing attention to the skeletonized movement. Price: $3,495
