Openworked watches, skeleton watches, watches with inverted dials. Whatever you want to call them, watches that do away with the conventions of a full dial are super fun. They give you the ability to peer into the inner workings of your mechanical watch and allow you to watch all the tiny components move and do their thing, keeping your watch ticking away.
I highlighted a range of beautiful skeleton watches, albeit without much of a budgetary consideration. So I thought it a good idea, nay, prudent, that I come up with some affordable alternatives to the quintessential skeleton watch.
Here are 13 of the best skeleton watches that I could find that are relatively affordable and fall below $2,500, with one exception.
Rado True Square Open Heart
Brand: Rado
Model: True Square Open Heart
Reference: R27086152
Case: 38mm x 9.70mm
Case Material: Ceramic
Water Resistance: 50m
Movement: 03.734.431
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 80 hours
The Rado True Square Open Heart combines an openworked dial, a high-tech ceramic case of beautifully wearable proportions and an automatic movement. The end result is one of the finest skeleton watches, albeit one that pips the budget but by only $100, so I figured I would let it slide and include it in this list.
Raymond Weil Freelancer Skeleton
Brand: Raymond Weil
Model: Freelancer Skeleton
Reference: 2785-BKR-20000
Case: 42mm x 10.60mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: RW1212
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 41 hours
Coming just under the $2,500 budget is the Raymond Weil Freelancer Skeleton. Featuring a manufacture movement, a black PVD coated case and an airy openworked dial, the Raymond Weil Freelancer Skeleton is one of the best skeleton watches in this price segment.
Rado True Round Open Heart
Brand: Rado
Model: True Round Open Heart
Reference: R27100162
Case: 40mm x 10.40mm
Case Material: Ceramic
Water Resistance: 50m
Movement: 03.734.431
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 80 hours
The second Rado with a similar look as the True Square Open Heart, the Rado True Round Open Heart is a distinct and highly interesting skeleton watch that blends the use of super contemporary materials with sound openworking and an eye for accessibility and affordability.
Tissot T-Complication Squelette Mechanical
Brand: Tissot
Model: T-Complication Squelette Mechanical
Reference: T070.405.16.411.00
Case: 43mm x 12mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 50m
Movement: ETA 6497-1
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 46 hours
From Tissot is the T-Complication Squelette Mechanical. Immensely cool and extensively openworked, the Tissot T-Complication Squelette Mechanical possesses all of the innate qualities that make a super cool skeleton watch that doesn't break the bank and blends the worlds of modern horology with technique and accessibility.
Hamilton Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton
Brand: Hamilton
Model: Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton
Reference: H24525331
Case: 42mm x 12.30mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 50m
Movement: H-10-S
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 80 hours
Out of left field is the Hamilton Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton. If you're looking for a sub-$2,500 skeleton watch that is going to definitely not march to the beat of the drum of the norm, then the Hamilton Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton is right up your alley.
Certina DS Skeleton
Brand: Certina
Model: DS Skeleton
Reference: C042.407.56.081.10
Case: 42mm x 11.30m
Case Material: Titanium
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: POWERMATIC 80.631
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 80 hours
This might just be my favourite sub-$2,500 skeleton watch out there. The super avant garde Certina DS Skeleton is reminiscent of some far more expensive openworked watches out there, combining a titanium case with some very interesting detailing, the Certina DS Skeleton holds its own as a very interesting skeleton watch.
Alexander Watch Vanquish
Brand: Alexander Watch
Model: Vanquish
Reference: A422-03
Case: 47mm x 17mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Valjoux 7750
Frequency: 4 Hz
Power Reserve: 40 hours
If you want to go big then the Alexander Watch Vanquish might just be the skeleton watch for you. It's not an entirely openworked watch, but it shows enough of its inner workings to make it on the list. Plus it just looks badass.
Edox Delfin Mecano
Brand: Edox
Model: Delfin Mecano
Reference: 85303-3M-BUIGB
Case: 43mm x 12.50mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 200m
Movement: Calibre 853
Frequency: 4 Hz
Power Reserve: 38 hours
From Edox is the mighty Delfin Mecano. A contemporary take on the skeleton watch with some lovely finishining throughout, the Delfin Mecano is a clear highlight of in this category and one of the more durably put together openworked watches.
Hamilton Jazzmaster Skeleton
Brand: Hamilton
Model: Jazzmaster Skeleton
Reference: H42535541
Case: 40mm x 11.05mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 50m
Movement: H-10_S
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 80 hours
A more conventional take from Hamilton this time on the traditional openworked watch is the Jazzmaster Skeleton. It combines a fairly dressy aesthetic which pairs well with the subdued look of the openworked dial, with the end result being a very subtle yet well put together skeleton watch that won't burn too large a hole in your wallet.
MIDO Multifort Skeleton Vertigo
Brand: MIDO
Model: Multifort Skeleton Vertigo
Reference: M0384363705100
Case: 42mm x 10.60mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Mido Automatic
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 80 hours
MIDO's Multifort Skeleton Vertigo is a brilliant example of an affordable skeleton watch that breaks the mould. Pops of orange, a super legible semi-openworked dial and decent finishing makes for a package that belies its price tag.
Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart
Brand: Hamilton
Model: Jazzmaster Open Heart
Reference: H32565135
Case: 40mm x 10.80mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 50m
Movement: H-10
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 80 hours
For most of us, the Hamilton Jazzmaster Open Heart was a consideration when we began looking for a decent Swiss watch. And to this day, it remains one of the key watches that I would always recommend to anyone looking for a well made mechanical watch that is affordable and long lasting. A semi-openworked dial is justification enough to include the Jazzmaster Open Heart in this list.
Certina DS-1 Skeleton
Brand: Certina
Model: DS-1 Skeleton
Reference: C029.907.11.041.00
Case: 40mm x 10.98mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Powermatic 80.631
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 80 hours
The second Certina in this list is the DS-1 Skeleton. Much the same as its titanium counterpart, the DS-1 Skeleton instead features a stainless steel case and a softer approach to detailing and finishing. Still, for the money its a solid candidate for your next skeleton watch.
Bulova Accu Swiss
Brand: Bulova
Model: Accu Swiss
Reference: 63A123
Case: 40mm x 11mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: SW200
Frequency: 4 Hz
Power Reserve: 38 hours
The Bulova Accu Swiss comes in well below the initial $2,500 price ceiling, but I felt that its inclusion was well and truly justified. It's a Bulova, so you know it's going to be well made. I'm quite fond of pairing an openworked dial with bold Roman numerals, too. A skeleton watch that perhaps lacks the horological punch of some of these other pieces, but still one that can carry its own weight.
Orient Star Modern Skeleton
Brand: Orient Star
Model: Modern Skeleton
Reference: RK-AV0005N
Case: 41mm x 12mm
Case Material: Stainless steel
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: F6F44
Frequency: 3 Hz
Power Reserve: 50 hours
Perhaps not a true openworked watch, I felt that the Orient Star Modern Skeleton had enough skeletonisation to warrant a place in this list. For as much money as the Orient Star Modern Skeleton costs, I think it's a more than viable skeleton watch option for this list.