Quick Guide: Skeleton Watches

The concept of skeletonisation is directly correlated to the basics of how you build a watch movement. There once was a  French watchmaker by the name of Jean-Antoine Lépine, who in the 1760s, embarked on a radical idea for creating pocket watches thinner. There wasn't a basic model of the plates and bridges that remains in todays world (and still technically carries his name, even though almost nobody makes a movement that’s not a Lepine calibre). A tiny number of wristwatches had been skeletonised before , such examples include but are not limited to, Vacheron Constantin’s archives of beautiful intricate open-worked ultra-thin watch. The general concept emerged from the quartz crisis. 

  

Skeletonisation as it was traditionally understood refers to the modification of a calibre by removing unnecessary metal from plates and bridges. The vast majority of modern “skeletonised” watches never began life as a full-bodied movement, but looking at them, you must admit they are nothing if not skeletal. “Openworked” is often used instead, but is sometimes taken to imply a distinction between watches through which you can see clear daylight and those that merely have no dial. “Skeleton” remains the industry’s choice, but that has as much to do with marketing as accuracy.

 

Watchmakers like Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Jaeger-LeCoultre started reinvesting in skeleton watches shortly after the quartz crisis of the ‘70s. Audemars Piguet even created a whole skeletonization department dedicated to making these watches, either in the form of updated best-sellers or new pieces entirely. And Richard Mille, a luxury junkie who loves cars and planes, has made these transparent pieces a tentpole of the ultra-high-end watch brand he launched in 1999.

 

Not many watches on the market can match the simple but unique look of the incredible Daniel Mink Skeleton watch. This amazing timepiece features a beautiful solid Stainless Steel case that measures approximately 41mm (from end of case to end of crown) x 8mm (high). Behind the crystal is an exceptionally rare fully skeletonized dial, which has silver tone Roman numeral hour markers around the perimeter, and is topped with bronze tone hands. This phenomenal watch also has an exhibition caseback, putting the incredible inner mechanics on full display! This watch is complete with its original black alligator leather strap that measures approximately 16mm (wide) and can fit up to a 10-inch wrist. The strap is enclosed by its original Stainless Steel tang buckle. If you seek a classic yet modern watch that is guaranteed to turn heads, then this extremely unique Daniel Mink timepiece is the perfect watch for you!

       

      

     

Appraisal Value: $10,000.00
Our Price: $3,995.00
    

     

The joy of wearing a piece of art on your wrist is within reach when you grab this incredible Bvlgari Skeleton Automatic wristwatch! This highly coveted unisex timepiece features a beautifully proportioned solid round 18K Yellow Gold case that measures approximately 33mm (case to crown) x 8mm (high). The case is topped with a phenomenal bezel which is engraved "BVLGARI" around its 18K Yellow Gold surface. Behind the scratch resistant sapphire crystal is a beautiful Skeleton Dial, showcasing its incredible inner mechanics that power this Automatic Movement watch. The dial is topped with black metallic hour and minute hands. This watch also has a solid 18K Yellow Gold crown and features a transparent caseback, showcasing the inner mechanisms of the watch in fully skeletonized fashion. This watch is enclosed by an incredibly unique Bvlgari dark green genuine alligator leather two-piece strap that measures approximately 18mm (wide) and can fit up to a 7.5-inch wrist. The strap is enclosed by the original signed Bvlgari 18K Yellow Gold tang buckle. This watch is in pristine Brand New Condition and comes with its original box. This amazing watch is 100% factory original from Bvlgari and cannot be missed in any watch collection!

     

     

     

Appraisal Value: $40,000.00
Our Price: $9,900.00

 

 

 

If you seek a watch that will make a powerful statement, then this Nivrel Repetition Skeleton watch is the perfect timepiece for you! This watch is powered by Automatic calibre ETA 2892-A2 Movement, embodying the finest of Swiss watch mechanics. Known for its opulent style, this incredible timepiece features a round case crafted from precious 18K Rose Gold that measures approximately 43 mm (case to crown) x 13mm (high). This fully skeletonized dial watch has a sapphire crystal on the front face and a screwed sapphire crystal caseback, putting the incredible inner mechanics on full display. The rotor is skeletonized by hand and carries a unique number. The repeater module chimes the past hours and the past 5-minute-steps with a double hammer and two springs. The skeleton dial features bridges and plates of repetition that have been first hand- skeletonized and then hand-engraved. The well visible star wheel (under which the hour wheel is located) is also hand-engraved. The hours and change wheels of the repetition are also provided with a radial-wave guilloche. Topped with luminous black hands, this dial is truly a unique work of art. This amazing watch is complete with its original NIVREL black alligator leather two-piece strap that measures approximately 20mm (wide) and can fit up to a 9-inch wrist. The strap is enclosed by its original Nivrel 18K Rose Gold tang buckle. Not only will this men's dress watch hold its value well, but it will make a lasting impression on all who gaze upon it!

      

Appraisal Value: $50,000.00
Our Price: $19,900.00

     

Vacheron Constantin has consistently exceeded expectations with phenomenal products, and there is no exception for this incredibly rare 18K White Gold Skeleton wristwatch. This absolutely incredible timepiece is extremely hard to come by in today's market. It features a beautifully proportioned 18K White Gold ultra thin case that measures approximately 31.5mm (end of case to end of crown) x 4mm (high). Behind the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal is a superb Two-tone Gold and Silver-tone Skeleton Dial that has White Gold tone hour indexes and matching White Gold tone hour and minute hands. This watch also has an Exhibition style Skeleton Caseback, putting the beautiful inner movement on full display! This Mechanical Movement watch is complete with a Custom Aftermarket Brown Alligator Leather Two-Piece Strap that measures approximately 17mm (wide) and can fit up to an 8.5-inch wrist. This watch is in Brand New Condition and will ship with its Original Presentation Box. This is a truly spectacular timepiece that could easily become a family heirloom!

       

     

      

Appraised Value: $125,000.00
Our Price: $39,000.00
   

 

 

One of the great Zenith classics, this Zenith El Primero is by far one of the most versatile watches we have ever featured to date! This special all-black watch is of an extremely limited run and is number 118 of 150 ever produced! This is a rare opportunity to own an incredibly sought after timepiece of an incredibly limited run! This masculine timepiece features a beautiful Ceramic case that measures approximately 45mm (case to crown) x 15mm (high). Behind the crystal is a superb skeleton style dial, putting the incredible inner mechanics on full display! The dial has three sub-dials features applied black luminous markers and luminous matching hands. This Swiss Automatic watch comes on a black perforated rubber strap that measures approximately 22mm (wide) and is enclosed with a Titanium DLC-coated tang buckle. The El Primero has a water resistance of up to 100 M, and is signed on the dial and the back. In today’s market, it is virtually impossible to come by this highly-coveted timepiece in Brand New condition such as this one! There are only a handful of watches of this model that exist in the world today! This classic and sophisticated watch is an absolute necessity in any collection!