15 Best Skeleton Watches for Men (From Affordable to Luxury)

The term skeleton watch sounds eerie to anyone not acquainted with the world of watches. However, behind that awkwardly named wristwear style is one of the most artistic types of watches you can find.

By removing a significant portion of the traditional dial surface, a skeleton watch showcases the intrinsics of a complex mechanical movement consisting of more than a hundred working parts. 

Missing out from such masterpieces would be regrettable, which swiftly takes us to the aim of this particular post.

Since the market is overflowed with such wristwatches, we’ve decided to bring you the best skeleton watches with the greatest price-quality ratio.

However, before heading to the shortlist, it is important to know what skeleton watches are, what they offer, and what to bear in mind before buying one.

What You Need to Know About Skeleton Watches

Skeleton watches are not all the same. They differ in terms of mechanisms, designs, build quality, and prices. Therefore, picking one out of the hundreds of skeletonized watches needs some previous groundwork.

When starting with the term, a skeleton watch is a timepiece with a partly or entirely removed dial surface, exposing the gear work of an (automatic) mechanical movement that is typically hidden inside the case with standard watches.

This style allows for a unique and eye-catching appearance, as well as an insight into the complex workings of an automatic caliber. 

The complexity of the caliber is the very reason why almost every skeleton watch comes precisely with a mechanical movement and not with a simple quartz caliber that simply hasn’t got much to boast with in terms of sophistication.

Read more: A beginners guide to automatic mechanical watches

The calibers you see in skeleton watches are a bit different from those you find in classic mechanical watches. In order to make them more appealing and show-worthy, they have received visual enhancements in terms of layout and coloring.   

In broad terms, there are two types of skeleton watches – entirely exposed and partly exposed. 

The latter comes mainly in a so-called “open heart design” where only a small circle exposes the mechanism (the balance wheel, in most cases). When the open heart watches suit more for dressier occasions, the fully skeletonized watches are more versatile in going well with a broader array of attires. 

When it comes to prices, skeleton watches can cost anywhere between a modest $100 and $500 but also tens of thousands of dollars. The difference in prices is to do with the quality of movements, the number of extra complications, the quality of materials, and the prestige of the manufacturer the watch originates from.

Therefore, you will have two fundamental decisions to make before buying a skeleton watch – defining the budget and picking between an entirely skeletal and open heart designs.

Best Skeleton Watches

Given the wearers’ preferences regarding how much finances should be invested into a wristwatch, we’ve diversified the selection by presenting timepieces that have price tags for all sorts of budgets, from an affordable $100 piece up to a premium multi-thousand dollar luxury watch.

We picked the watches considering the quality of the movements, the finishing of the design, and the overall performance and longevity over time. Moreover, these watches are backed with highly positive feedback from owners, constituting the durability they feature.

Without further ado, here are the watches.

Bulova Maquina 98A179

Caliber: Miyota 8N26
Hack Feature: No
Case Size: 46mm
Crystal: Sapphire

Bulova is often one of the first brands mentioned when talking about quality skeleton watches. The American brand under the Citizen Group’s firm wing has delivered some very bold designs that are coupled with reliable quality and affordable prices.

One of the most eye-catching watches you’ll find from the brand is the Bulova Maquina 98A179. It is a fully skeletal timepiece with a masculine gunmetal-tone stainless steel construction. 

Since the watch is oversized (46mm case diameter), there is quite a lot of real estate at hand to showcase the magnificence of this type of watch. As such, you’ll find a perfectly positioned gold-toned balance wheel at 6 o’clock, a large XII, and a sweeping second hand with a yellow tip in front of a mesmerizing wheel and gear work.  

However, what makes this Bulova Maquina even more appreciated is that it’s not only eye-catching but also very durable. For instance, it comes with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, 100m water resistance, and a secure double push-button deployant clasp. 

The bracelet, in particular, is one of the best bits of the watch because of its magnificent brushed finishing and perfect fit. Not many timepieces come with such a high-quality and good-looking bracelet at a similar price range.

This skeleton beauty is powered by a Japanese Miyota 8N26 caliber, which is decently accurate, holds a 40-hour power reserve, and can be manually wound. The caliber isn’t anything jaw-dropping but will do the job just fine. 

The only negative of this movement is that the second hand can’t be halted during time synchronization. However, it is a tiny-tiny negative.

All in all, the Maquina automatic skeleton watch is one of the best of its kind for around $500. 

A similar design is also available in an all-gold tone with the Maquina 98A178 and in a rose-gold tone with a rubber band in the Maquina 98A177 model.

Bulova Sutton 96A187

Caliber: Miyota 8N24
Hack Feature: No
Case Size: 43mm
Crystal: Mineral

This Bulova from the Sutton collection draws attention with a distinct blue and silver skeletal appeal, which has received positive feedback from buyers. The Amazon rating of 4.8 out of 5 reflects a high level of durability as well.  

The Bulova 96A187 runs on a quality Miyota 8N24 automatic movement with 42 hours of power reserve. It is a similar caliber to the 8N26 found in the Maquina watch, with minor differences in the construction. You can expect precise timekeeping due to the proven standards the Miyota caliber manufacturing has shown over the decades.

The face comes almost entirely skeletonized, exposing the neat craftsmanship of the Japanese watchmaking wizards. Adding contrast to it are the blue Roman numerals sitting on the edge of the dial. Coupled with blue-colored hands that glow in the dark, the watch is legible from any angle and at every moment of the day. 

What makes the Bulova Sutton even more appealing is the luxurious-like 5-link stainless steel bracelet.

It not only looks like a quality bracelet, but it acts like one as well. As a result, it doesn’t rattle or squeak and sits perfectly well on the wrist. A nice addition to the bracelet is the double push-button deployant clasp that adds security and looks sleek. 

To be fair, there isn’t much to pick about this watch. It is durable, legible, reliable, and beautiful. Maybe the only minor letdown is the small crown between the protectors that is somewhat difficult to turn due to its size.

Other than that, the Bulova Sutton 96A187 is an impeccable skeleton watch for the money.

Bulova BVA Series 96A135

Caliber: Miyota 82S7
Hack Feature: No
Case Size: 41mm
Crystal: Mineral

The Bulova BVA Series 96A135 watch represents the modest type of skeleton watch when only a part of the dial is exposed. It is an open heart watch (refers to the balance wheel that acts as the watch’s heart with its back-and-forth beating).

The watch strikes with its polished metallic coloring around the eye-catching golden balance wheel. The dial’s outer ring is occupied by the Roman numerals, while the center of the face features a textured pattern. 

You’ll not find the second hand sweeping on the main dial due to its placing on one of the subdials, along with 24-hour time.

For some, it is a bummer since the sweeping motion of the hand is one of the reasons for buying an automatic watch. But on the other hand, the placement leaves more space to admire the overall design.  

Beneath the flashy face ticks a 21-jewel Miyota 82S7 automatic movement, which is also visible through an exhibition caseback. It keeps decent time, holds 40 hours of power reserve, and rarely disappoints. You can also manually wind the mechanism, which adds convenience for not relying entirely on automatic winding.

The quality and extravagant design of this 41mm stainless steel Bulova are available for less than $500. Backed with high Amazon ratings from hundreds of verified buyers, you are guaranteed its reliability.

Bulova has several other models available besides this watch if the open heart design suits you more than the entirely skeletonized appearance. For instance, you can check out the Bulova 97A109, which comes with central seconds and better legibility.

Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart Watch

Caliber: H-10
Hack Feature: Yes
Case Size: 42mm
Crystal: Sapphire

The courage to manufacture audacious wristwear is natural to Hamilton. Just gaze at the triangular Ventura watch loved by no other than the King of Rock&Roll himself.

But besides the Ventura and many other Hollywood featuring timepieces, the former U.S brand has several spectacular watches available, including the Jazzmaster Open Heart.

Probably the most significant factor for many to buy this Hamilton piece is the H-10 automatic movement with an 80-hour power reserve. When a typical self-winding mechanism keeps approximately 40 hours of power reserve, then this one from Hamilton has double the amount.

The caliber is also manually windable and hackable, meaning you can take the maximum out of the extended power reserve, as well as synchronize the watch to second precision.

The looks won’t disappoint either with partly exposed inner works on a black dial. The watch is a fine dress piece for possessing fitting dimensions at 42mm in case diameter and 11mm in thickness and featuring an elegant black leather strap with black stitching.

The watch is also easy to read, features a scratch-resistant sapphire, and weighs a modest 3.17oz (90g). So, the Hamilton Jazzmaster is a fitting timepiece for various types of wearers. If you like the appearance and size, the watch won’t disappoint you.

However, if you’re not quite into dark-toned watches, you can check out the Hamilton Jazzmaster H32705541. It is a blue-dialed and brown leather watch with all the features of the black version, with the only difference in color.

Orient Star Skeleton Watch

Caliber: F6F44
Hack Feature: Yes
Case Size: 41mm
Crystal: Sapphire

The Orient brand may be in the shadow of the two Japanese greats, Seiko and Citizen, but not in terms of quality, especially when it comes to the Star collection. The entirely Japanese-made watches are on par with Swiss watches and often even eclipse them.

One of the watches that have been the long-time fans’ favorite is the Orient Star Skeleton. It is a sophisticated dress watch but, at the same time, an extravagant show-off timepiece for its skeletal cuts dispersed all over the dial.

What makes the watch even more noteworthy in terms of appearance are the well-placed subdials and elements that give out a posh appeal. The power reserve indicator at the 12 o’clock location is an especially handy addition, providing quick information about the remaining energy charge. 

The heart that ticks inside the 41mm case belongs to the top of the game – the Orient in-house mechanical caliber F6F44 holds up to 50 hours of power reserve, is hackable, and manually windable. Compared to standard automatic calibers, the additional 10 hours you get from the F6F44 is a highly appreciated extra.

In terms of other components of this Orient Star, the best crystal you can find in any watch, a sapphire crystal, is used for dial protection, while a comfortable and durable calfskin leather strap harmonizes perfectly with the overall brownish appeal. 

The only letdown the watch has, in my opinion, is that the second hand runs on the bottom subdial instead of sweeping on the primary dial. The sweeping motion of the second hand is one of the prettiest things with automatic watches. So if it had been placed centrally, the watch would’ve been a certain 10 out of 10.              

All things considered, such a high-quality watch costing below four digits makes it one of the top skeleton watches in the premium-class category.

As alternatives, you should check out the Orient Bambino Open Heart watches. They are classic dress pieces with elegant appeal and in-house calibers that don’t cost as much as the Orient Star watch.

Stuhrling Executive Automatic

Caliber: ST-90090
Hack Feature: No
Case Size: 44mm
Crystal: Krysterna

If you were to pick a watch brand with the most extravagant appeal, it would be Stuhrling. Homages to famous Rolex and Omega models, as well as golden-toned vintage pocket watches, are the thing of the company. However, the best among the best are still skeleton watches.

The Stuhrling Executive Automatic watch boasts a 22-jewel Chinese-origin automatic movement with its complex wheel and gear works visible behind the Krysterna-covered dial. The caliber isn’t as appreciated as others on this list, but it has shown quite a decent reliability for being accurate and possessing a 40h power reserve.  

One of the features you’ll not find in many other watches is the unique seconds’ hand subdial – when one hand sweeps from zero to 30 seconds, the other one counts the rest of the figures.

To be fair, the whole design of this Stuhrling is just brilliant and represents the bold line of skeletonized style. Besides the wheel and gear work, the dial is also multi-dimensional by offering a fascinating 3D effect with its stepped surrounding rings.  

The 44mm stainless steel watch is paired with an alligator-embossed genuine leather, making it appropriate for both casual and smart casual wear. Constituting to the versatility is the thickness of 11mm, which slips neatly under the sleeve if needed. 

Although Stuhrling watches don’t possess the prestige of the industry’s heavyweights, they’ve nevertheless achieved an admiring reputation for having ultra-stylish and over-the-top designs.

Stuhrling Original 371

Caliber: ST-91001
Hack Feature: No
Case Size: 47mm
Crystal: Krysterna

When the Stuhrling brand emerged at the beginning of the millennium, it instantly rocked the industry with over-the-top designs. To this day, the company has continued to amaze with mouthwatering designs.

The Stuhrling Anatol 371 is one of the top-selling models out of the company’s vast product line, and once you take a look at it, it is clear why. “A window into time” is what describes this timepiece the most – every little detail of the mechanism’s complex construction is displayed for all to see. 

Standing at 47mm in diameter, the watch houses four distinct elements on the dial – a Sun and Moon indicator (AM/PM indicator), dual time, golden balance wheel, and Stuhrling Original label.

The whole compound harmonizes with an electric blue tint of the hands and indices, which comes to the rescue in significantly improving reading time on such a busy face. And, to be fair, the legibility is surprisingly good for a skeleton watch. 

The only thing to nitpick about is the similar length of the minute and hour hand, making the distinction somewhat complicated. 

The strap is another noteworthy part of this Stuhrling. It is a premium American-made leather with an alligator-embossed motif. The strap grabs the wrist comfortably and is of decent quality. 

The overall impression of the watch is simply stunning. It is hard to find any other timepiece with such flair and flamboyance. And although it runs on a Chinese-origin automatic caliber that is not as appreciated as others, the Stuhrling Anatol 371 has shown nice quality standards to last you for years to come.

Relic by Fossil Damon Automatic

Caliber: Automatic
Hack Feature: No
Case Size: 42mm
Crystal: Mineral

The American fashion watch conglomerate Fossil caters to a younger audience of watch wearers with flashy styles and bold colors. The Relic brand was acquired by Fossil precisely for that cause. 

With the next skeleton watch, the Relic Damon Automatic, however, the brand moves away from the youthful design and enters the stage of heavyweights. As a result, the watch looks absolutely stunning and way more expensive than the $100 price tag suggests.

The 42mm stainless steel watch is covered with grey IP coating that runs all the way from the case to the bracelet and combines swiftly with the patterned hour indices ring. In the center of the dial, you will find an intricate automatic movement with colorful wheels, gears, and watch jewels. 

This Relic piece is also very affordable, considering the flamboyant appeal. Barely reaching the three-digit sum, it is one of the most affordable skeletal watches on the market.

The reason this Relic by Fossil is one of the cheapest can be constituted to the lower quality of materials and movement used in the timepiece – it runs on a cheaper-end Chinese-origin automatic caliber and comes with a mineral crystal. Regardless, the watch has shown decent reliability for being accurate and durable. 

In the midst of all the beauty you get from this Fossil, there’s one thing you should pay attention to – legibility. Since the watch hands are silver-toned, just like the whole appearance of the watch, you won’t be able to catch the exact position of the hands instantly.

All things considered, the Relic Damon watch may be cheap and consist of lower quality materials compared to others on this list, but it offers plenty to admire with its unique and luxurious appearance. Moreover, it is well-built and lasts longer than many others at this price point.

By the way, Relic offers a gold-toned Damon watch as well. It is more extravagant than the silver version and goes perfectly well with various outfits. 

Fossil Townsman Automatic

Caliber: Automatic
Hack Feature: No
Case Size: 44mm
Crystal: Mineral

The Fossil brand may not have many skeleton watches available, but if it does, they’re definitely worth the attention. And since the company’s prime focus is to cater to fashion-oriented wearers, you can expect some truly eye-catching and unique examples. 

The Fossil Townsman Automatic won’t disappoint in this regard when the intrinsics of the mechanical self-winding caliber are visible through a satin-finished transparent dial, making it a sight to see.

On the other hand, the design has a minimalistic approach as well, with only the three-hand movement sweeping on the Roman numerics. Thus, the watch is flashy and humble simultaneously.

When it comes to movement, it is a hand-winding automatic caliber with around 40 hours of power reserve. 

Unfortunately, Fossil rarely provides any information regarding the exact automatic calibers it uses in watches. Therefore, it mostly suggests the use of Chinese movements. They are not as appreciated as Japanese or Swiss calibers but will do the job. It also explains the very appealing price the watch is being sold.   

Overall, the Fossil Townsman is an eye-catching watch that suits various outfits and occasions. Its size at 44mm may be a bit large, but considering the watch’s modest 12mm height, it won’t look chunky on the wrist. 

If the transparent skeleton watch is not quite your taste, feel free to check out the more classically styled Fossil models, like the Townsman ME3170 or the Townsman ME3171. They are open heart versions with Roman numerals and small second hands. 

Invicta Russian Diver

Caliber: Seagull ST3600K
Hack Feature: No
Case Size: 51mm
Crystal: Flame Fusion

Another brand that has placed greater emphasis on striking appeal is Invicta. Several of its watches look way more expensive than they really are, attracting heightened attention. 

One of the watches with a mesmerizing appearance is the Invicta Russian Diver. For some, the watch may seem too much to handle, but for others, it’s a statement watch that is a guaranteed conversation starter. 

The Russian Diver has several eye-catching elements that make it attractive. First off, it’s the rose-gold toned skeleton dial with ornaments that looks more of a decorative masterpiece rather than an automatic caliber with wheels and gears.

Then you’ll find the oversized screw-down crown. And it’s not simply oversized but huge. The crown looks unique, but it doesn’t work out well when you decide to wear it daily as the crown will have some pressure on your wrist’s bend area. Therefore, the watch is perfect to be worn occasionally, not daily.

What you’ll find different from other skeleton watches is also the black silicone band that has a couple of links made of stainless steel. The outcome is simply extravagant!

Now to a couple of drawbacks the watch has. First off, the size stands at a whopping 51mm in diameter, which limits the watch’s suitability to above-average wrists only. The size contributes to the weight as well, so you will definitely feel the watch on your wrist. 

The second considerable drawback for many (which can also be an advantage) is the fact the watch is a manual mechanical timepiece. It means the watch doesn’t wind itself automatically but requires frequent manual winding every two days to keep it running. 

Lastly, despite the Russian Diver name, it’s not actually a dive watch. Furthermore, its resistance stands at 50m (165ft), which even doesn’t guarantee its aptness for swimming. 

However, regardless of a couple of drawbacks and misconceptions, the Invicta Russian Diver is a one-of-a-kind skeleton watch that you will not find in other brands’ line-ups. Therefore, if you wish to stand out and are not afraid of the extreme flamboyance the watch offers, the Russian Diver is the perfect watch for you.

Michael Kors Halo Gold-Tone Watch

Caliber: Automatic
Hack Feature: No
Case Size: 43mm
Crystal: Mineral

Michael Kors may not be the perfect match for die-hard watch enthusiasts due to their preference for traditional manufacturers. However, the majority of wearers appreciate aesthetics more than anything else. In this sense, the Michael Kors Halo Gold watch ticks several boxes for many.

The prime reason for including this ticker on this list is to do with the flashiness it beams.

A full skeletal dial with an all-gold appeal combined with a beautiful tachymeter ring (although only a visual feature) results in an appearance that can fool people into thinking it’s a very expensive timepiece.

Therefore, for only a couple of hundred bucks, you receive a watch full of luxurious appeal. And although it comes with a mineral crystal and is powered by a Chinese automatic caliber, it nevertheless is worth a try.

Complementing a casual attire with a skeletal watch that stunning is sure to receive envious glimpses.

Tissot T-Complication Squelette

Caliber: ETA 6497
Hack Feature: No
Case Size: 43mm
Crystal: Sapphire

One of the most robust examples of high-quality skeletonized timepieces is the Tissot Squelette. The designers have cleverly engaged the mechanical caliber’s metal construction for giving the watch its unique industrial appeal.

The watch runs on an acknowledged Swiss mechanical hand-wind movement, explaining the four-figure price tag. The ETA-origin calibers are known for their accuracy and longevity when adequately taken care of, so the reason for the valuation of this Tissot is all loud and clear.

What could’ve made the caliber even better would’ve been the inclusion of a hack feature. However, it’s a minor disadvantage. 

This Tissot is also easily readable with the contrasting dark blue hands and indices that also contain lume. The luminosity is surprisingly bright and long-lasting, which isn’t typical for a non-dive watch.  

The durability is guaranteed with a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal covering the face and high-grade stainless steel protecting the intrinsics. In addition, the water resistance is guaranteed to 50m (165ft), which is enough for protecting against daily exposure. 

All in all, Tissot watches possess an outstanding reputation and are among the first go-to brands for people who desire their first Swiss-made watch. And if it’s such a masterpiece like the Tissot Squelette, it’s no wonder people keep turning back to Swiss production.

Tag Heuer Carrera Skeleton

Caliber: Heuer02 chronograph
Hack Feature: Yes
Case Size: 45mm
Crystal: Sapphire

Tag Heuer belongs to the entry-level luxury watch brands that rarely sell below a thousand dollar line. And that is for a good reason, too, since the quality and reputation are unparalleled compared to other brands we’ve previously covered. 

First off, the Tag Heuer Carrera Skeleton features a Heuer02 automatic chronograph caliber that consists of 33 jewel bearings and can hold an energy reserve for up to 80 hours. The case is of fine-brushed steel and ceramic, while the see-through caseback is covered with highly acknowledged sapphire. 

Since the Carrera is meant for sportier occasions, you’ll also find a stopwatch measuring in 1/4-second increments up to twelve hours. It also comes with dual time visible at the six o’clock position and a date window hidden beneath the multi-layered design.

As you can see, the Tag Heuer Skeleton offers several additional complications that are typically missing from cheaper skeleton watches. That also explains the much higher price. 

The brand’s watches, including this particular piece, are popular among sports celebrities due to their proven reliability and masculine appeal. Therefore, it is a watch with a strong brand reputation and a luxurious household name.

Rado Centrix

Caliber: ETA 03.734.031
Hack Feature: Yes
Case Size: 38mm
Crystal: Sapphire

The Rado Centrix Skeleton is a fully skeletal timepiece with the impeccable build quality. It runs on a Swiss ETA automatic caliber that boasts 80 hours of power reserve, is hackable, and keeps accurate time.

The caliber is clearly visible behind the anti-reflective sapphire crystal with all of its wheels and gears. 

However, the skeletonized dial is not the onliest noteworthy part of this Rado watch. Namely, the bracelet is made up of high-tech ceramic center links surrounded by stainless steel end links. 

Since ceramic is highly scratch-proof, you can expect the bracelet to maintain its flawless appearance for much longer than with typical stainless steel bands.

In terms of wearability, the Rado Centrix measures a modest 38mm in diameter and 10mm in height. Therefore, the watch is a spot-on wearable with smart outfits for slipping conveniently underneath the sleeve. 

Although the watch gives away a little in terms of legibility (not enough contrast between the hands and background), it is still a practical timepiece that offers more than just a striking skeleton design. With the high-quality caliber and durable materials the watch comes with, this Rado watch is sure to last for decades.

Zenith Defy El Primero 21

Caliber: El Primero
Hack Feature: Yes
Case Size: 44mm
Crystal: Sapphire

The Zenith Defy El Primero 21 is the most famous skeleton watch currently available. Since Zenith is a luxury Swiss brand, you can expect to pay thousands for this masterpiece. 

The watch looks luxurious, indeed. It has a thought-out dial with masterfully finished wheels and gears. What makes the watch especially eye-catching is the addition of variously designed and colored features, such as the power reserve indicator and chronograph subdials. 

The chronograph is not like any other simple stopwatch, but it measures in 1/100-second precision with 50Hz frequency. For an automatic caliber, the frequency of the chronograph is simply astonishing, exceeding its predecessor ten-fold. The stopwatch’s second makes one turn on the dial in one second.   

The primary timekeeping runs on a higher frequency as well compared to affordable versions. Its 5Hz frequency guarantees a 10-step second hand movement and an accuracy of around a second or two per day. The watch is also COSC-certified, which means you can rely on its guaranteed accuracy.

Therefore, the Zenith El Primero has everything you could wish from a luxury automatic chronograph. The only stumbling block for many is the price, which stays around $10,000. So if you have some money put aside that can’t find much use, why not give it a try with this luxury piece.

Final Words

Skeleton watches can have variegated designs. When one can knock you off with a fully exposed dial, where every single gear and wheel is visible, then the other with a humble open heart can amaze you as much. Luckily, there’s a suitable watch for every price range and taste.

Those with a limited budget can opt for an Invicta or Fossil piece without worrying over the bucks spent, whereas the wearers who have some more to spend may choose a Rado or Zenith model. In the end, it doesn’t matter how much the skeleton watch costs, as long as it expresses your character and looks stunning while doing that.

We hope this shortlist of the best skeleton watches has been of help to you.

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