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Dimitri Tsilioris

The 13 Best Skeleton Watches Under $2,500



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.





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