Best Skeleton Watches in 2021

Have you ever been curious about what goes on inside your watch? If so, consider getting yourself one of the best skeleton watches around. These watches are simply a combination of art, fashion, and quality craftsmanship. The watches are designed so that the wearer can see what makes them tick beneath the surface. You’ll be able to note the exquisite intricacies of the mechanisms that go into your watch. The best skeleton watches are ideal for those who can merge functionality with style. Skeleton watches offer both elements in equal measure, allowing you to turn simple watches into extraordinary and highly functional timepieces.

We’ve reviewed some of the top skeleton watches on the market below. Whether you’re looking for something to define your classic look or just a contemporary watch to use as your daily driver, you’re sure to find a match below. However, before we dive into the review, here are some tips to help you choose only the best skeleton watch.

TL;DR - Best Skeleton Watches:

• Stührling Original Stainless Steel Skeleton Dial Watch
• Audemars Piguet Millenary Automatic Skeleton Watch
• Invicta 22571 Vintage Casual Watch
• Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Skeleton Automatic Watch
• Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic Automatic Skeleton
• Bulova Automatic 96A187 Skeleton Watch
• Invicta Men’s 1090 Russian Diver Skeleton Watch
• TAG Heuer Carrera Men’s Watch Skeleton Dial
• Hamilton H32565555 Men’s Open Heart Watch
• Tissot Men’s T0704051641100 T-Complication Squelette Watch
• Fossil Townsman Stainless Steel Mechanical Watch
• Invicta 22569 Vintage Automatic Self Wind
• Lucien Piccard Loft Automatic Men’s Watch
• Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Skeleton 42mm Mens Watch
• Hublot Classic Fusion Automatic Skeleton Dial Men’s Watch

1. Stührling Original Stainless Steel Skeleton Dial Watch

Skeleton Watch With a Premium Feel

The Stuhrling Original Stainless Steel Skeleton Dial Watch is a beauty to behold. Stunning and comfortable, this timepiece features an automatic movement, meaning that it will remain accurate as long as you wear it for more than eight hours a day.

You'll be able to see the inner workings of this watch via the Krysterna crystal it's built with, and the 100% leather strap allows the watch to sit on your wrist all day without causing any discomfort. Designed with a 46mm steel case, you get equal measures of durability and classiness in this Stührling Original watch.

2. Audemars Piguet Millenary Automatic Skeleton Watch

Best Swiss-made Automatic Skeleton Watch

The Audemars Piguet Millenary Automatic Skeleton Watch is considered one of the top skeleton watches for men on the market for several reasons. Designed with an impeccable black finish and a gold accent, this watch features a distinctive Swiss-made automatic movement.

The Audemars Piguet Millenary uses a leather band to sit on your wrist and features a 60-hour power reserve. This watch isn't the best when it comes to water resistance, but it can hold its own against spills and light rain with its 65 feet water resistance.

3. Invicta 22571 Vintage Casual Watch

Classy and Eye-catching

In the world of skeleton watches, the Invicta 22571 Vintage Casual Skeleton Watch is one of the best options you can choose. Sitting at a price point below the $80 mark, this watch is designed with an 18k ion gold-plated stainless steel case and a black leather strap. The dial and hands are all gold-plated, ensuring that your wrist catches the light while attracting those around you.

You can see the innards of your watch through the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal surface. And thanks to its automatic self-winding movement, you won't ever need to adjust the watch while wearing it regularly. While it doesn't come with a date window or a power reserve feature, it's water-resistant up to 165 feet. If you're looking for an affordable watch that's eye-catching and brilliantly designed, this is one of the top options you can choose.

4. Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Skeleton Automatic Watch

The Top Choice for Luxury

Have enough to splurge on getting the absolute best of the best? Then take a look at the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Skeleton Watch. With a price tag close to $7,500, this skeleton watch oozes luxury and craftsmanship. It features a Swiss automatic movement and an anti-reflective coating on the sapphire crystal.

The silver stainless steel case feels premium, and the open dial provides you with an air of affluence, rendering it one of the top wrist companions anyone can choose. If you're all about keeping up appearances, then the Maurice Lacroix watch is one of the best watches you can choose.

5. Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic Automatic Skeleton

Premium Casual Watch for Men

The Hamiton Jazzmaster Viewmatic Automatic Watch is another classy wristwatch. It's one of the best casual watches for men. Lightweight and wrapped in leather, this skeleton watch will sit on your wrist all day without feeling bulky or uncomfortable. It features luminous hands, a stainless steel case, and a sapphire dial window. From the way the interior is cut to the beautiful inner workings of this timepiece, you'll notice how sophisticated and stylish this black Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic skeleton watch really is.

6. Bulova Automatic 96A187 Skeleton Watch

High Quality and Accurate

The Bulova Automatic 96A187 Skeleton Watch is one of the best mechanical hand-wound skeleton watches on the market. Besides its beauty and quality, this is one of the top mechanical watches known to provide high accuracy and precision. This skeleton watch is encased in stainless steel with a silver and blue dial, flat mineral glass, a self-winding movement, and an exhibition case back. It also features a double-press deployment closure and can resist water up to 100 feet.

This is simply one of the best mechanical watches for men you can invest in if you're keen on getting a high-quality skeleton watch. However, given that it comes with an automatic movement, this self-winding watch may stop working if it's not worn for days.

7. Invicta Men’s 1090 Russian Diver Skeleton Watch

Best Mechanical Casual Watch for Men

Invicta is a brand that has been making watches for more than a century. It's therefore no wonder that the Invicta 1090 Russian Diver Skeleton Watch is one of the best, most affordable watches for men. This watch is one of the top mechanical watches around, which means you'll have to keep it manually wound. If you fail to wind it, or you leave it alone for days at a time, it will lose its accuracy or may stop working altogether.

You get a 55mm rose gold stainless steel case with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal serving as the dial window. While this mechanical watch doesn't come with a power reserve, it does come with some water resistance that's ideal for swimming, although not so great for diving.

8. TAG Heuer Carrera Men’s Watch Skeleton Dial

Elegant Luxury Watch

Tag Heuer is another top-of-the-line brand you can always trust when it comes to watches. The Tag Heuer Carrera Men's Watch features a black skeleton dial, an analog display, and a date window. It's a chronograph skeleton watch that features two different sub-dials. Endowed with 37 jewels, this less than $5,000 chronograph skeleton timepiece comes with a 50-hour power reserve, a polished stainless steel case, and a rubber strap for added comfort.

The strap is adjustable and high-quality, and you also get luminous hands and hour markers. Simply put, the Tag Heuer Carrera Black Skeleton Dial Watch is one of the best luxury automatic watches you can choose.

9. Hamilton H32565555 Men’s Open Heart Watch

Best Minimalist Skeleton Watch

Looking for a budget-friendly skeleton timepiece? Look no further than the Hamilton Men's Open Heart Watch. Featuring a half dial design, this skeleton timepiece is all you need for a casual evening meetup. It's encased in a 40mm stainless steel case and endowed with fine markings that make it a beauty to behold.

Also, the sapphire crystal dial window is anti-reflective, and its automatic movement ensures that you're always on time. To wrap it all up, this brown watch is lightweight and can resist water up to 165 feet.

10. Tissot Men’s T0704051641100 T-Complication Squelette Watch

Precise and Exceptional Quality

Tissot is a brand known for producing top-of-the-line wristwatches at affordable prices. The Tissot T-Complication Squelette Watch is one such timepiece. While the price tag is over a thousand bucks, it's still moderately priced compared to the TAG Heuer Carrera and the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Chronograph Skeleton timepieces above. The Tissot T-Complication Squelette features a wheel-inspired design.

You can see the details and craftsmanship via the sapphire crystal dial window, allowing you to appreciate every little intricacy embedded into this watch. It is a hand-wound luxurious watch wrapped around by a black leather strap with a 43mm case diameter. If you're looking for one of the best watches to go with just about any outfit, the Tissot T-Complication Squelette is an ideal timepiece to choose from.

11. Fossil Townsman Stainless Steel Mechanical Watch

Most Fashionable Skeleton Watch

The Fossil Townsman Stainless Steel Watch is one that reflects the brand's meticulous attention to detail. It's a chronograph watch with two subdials and a two-hand analog display. The skeleton design is only partially displayed, and the dial features chrome tone hour markers and hands. You can easily see the inner workings of this watch via the hardened mineral crystal glass.

This 44mm stainless steel watch is one that will catch the eye of your audience thanks to its glistening silver body. It's capable of keeping water out up to 165 feet, and the stainless steel bracelet feels comfy on the skin as well. Since it's an automatic self-winding watch, your kinetic energy will ensure that it keeps running. Ideal for both office and weekend vibes, this watch is one of the best and most affordable options you can buy.

12. Invicta 22569 Vintage Automatic Self Wind

Best Vintage Skeleton Watch

The Invicta Vintage Automatic Watch is one of the best budget-friendly skeleton watches you can wear. For less than $100, you get a watch that provides you with a great retro style feeling. Sporting an 18k rose-gold plated case, this three-hand analog watch features a skeleton inner dial labeled with Roman numeral indices. The 45mm case also houses a flame-fusion dial window that allows you to see everything going on within the watch.

Its movement is automatic, ensuring that you don't have to keep it wound up as long as you wear it consistently. The Croco-embossed leather strap sits comfortably on the wrist, while the buckle clasps ensure that your watch remains secured. If you're looking for a budget skeleton timepiece with some retro design, this is one of the best watches you can choose.

13. Lucien Piccard Loft Automatic Men’s Watch

Best Budget Skeleton Timepiece

The Lucien Piccard Loft Automatic Men's Watch is one of the cheapest watches on our list. Encased in a 45mm steel case, this automatic timepiece comes with a synthetic sapphire crystal face, rose-tone markers, and 50-meter water resistance. This means that while it can handle a light rain shower, it won't survive a diving or snorkeling expedition.

Sleek, handsome, and affordable, it's no wonder that many men love this watch. It looks and feels better than the less than $70 you'll be paying for it. To make things even better, this watch can work for any occasion, be they formal or casual outings. And unlike the Invicta 22596 above, all of the gears move around and are quite fun to watch.

14. Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Skeleton 42mm Mens Watch

Lightweight and Comfortable

If you're the type of person that loves the feeling of ultra-thin watches, you're certainly going to appreciate the Zenith Chronomaster El Primero Men's Watch. While this watch isn't exactly ultra-thin, its light weight makes it feel like one. Weighing just 15.9 grams, this watch comes with the lightest movement on the market. It feels modern and manly, making it one of the top watches any man can choose.

Endowed with a 42mm rose-gold case, the El Primero timepiece is durable and versatile. It's a chronograph watch capable of working for almost any occasion, including casual, sports, and formal settings. It comes with a black rubber strap and features 31 jewels and 278 intricate parts. The El Primero is also available in three different colors, allowing you to make the ideal choice for yourself.

15. Hublot Classic Fusion Automatic Skeleton Dial Men’s Watch

Best Ultra-thin Skeleton Watch

Hublot is a Swiss luxury watchmaking brand that has been around since the 1980s. Over the years, the brand has perfected its craftsmanship, providing consumers with nothing but top-of-the-shelf products. The Hublot Classic Fusion Men's Watch is one such product. It comes with a stylish, masculine look that makes it versatile enough to accommodate any setting. You can wear it right from your office to your choice of casual setting without diminishing your appearance and style.

This watch is encased in a 45mm attractive and durable titanium case, and the combination of rubber and black crocodile leather makes the strap even more comfortable. To top it all off, the Hublot Classic Fusion comes with an incredible 90-hour power reserve, ensuring that you get the best accuracy possible. If you're looking for the top luxury watches to buy, ensure that you include the Hublot Classic Fusion in your list.

Factors to Consider When Choosing the Best Skeleton Watch

Movement

Skeleton watches come in two movement types – automatic and mechanical. Both movement types are similar and offer an excellent level of accuracy. Watches with these movement types used to be very expensive until companies like ETA started producing them en masse for smaller brands and boutique watchmakers.

The difference between these two watch types is that mechanical skeleton watches are hand-wound timepieces, while automatic watches are powered by kinetic energy. This means that they’ll continue to tick as long as you wear them consistently.

Size

The size of your skeleton watch, otherwise known as the case diameter, affects your style. Therefore, you should put some thought into choosing the ideal watch face for you. People with slighter wrists should go for watches in the 34-40mm range as this watch type complements them more. In contrast, those with a large wrist should opt for models from 44mm to 46mm.

• On a budget? Check out the Best Affordable Watches
• Check out the Best Mechanical Watches
• See also the best outdoor watches

Straps

Your watch strap is another crucial component you need to pay attention to. It determines your style as well as the character of your watch. For instance, while leather straps are great for traditional dress watches, metal straps tend to look better on chunky, masculine watches. Therefore, ensure that the watch you choose comes with a strap that matches your style without compromising the occasion.

Water Resistance

The water resistance of your watch is another essential factor to look at. Most watches come with measurements that help determine their resistance. These measurements are often depicted in meters or atmospheres (ATMs). Some standard numbers you’ll see include 3ATM and 5ATM, or 30 meters and 50 meters. Watches resistant for up to 30 meters are simply splash-resistant, while those with 50 meters resistance are ideal for swimming.

If your watch claims to be resistant up to 100 meters, you can snorkel with them, while those in the 200-meter range are excellent for scuba diving. Skeleton watches with a 300-meter resistance are the only watches ideal for diving. However, you need to ensure that they are ISO 6425 certified or specifically slated as a diver’s watch by the manufacturer.

Conclusion

Whether you’re looking for an affordable option or an elegant skeleton timepiece, the watches we’ve reviewed above are some of the top products you can choose. For our top luxurious options, we recommend the Hublot Classic Fusion, Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Chronograph Watch, Zenith El Primero, and the Tissot Complication Squelette. And if you’re looking for a simple option with minimal bells and whistles, our top recommendations include the Lucien Piccard Loft, Invicta 22569, Fossil Townsman, and the Hamilton Jazzmaster Viewmatic.

We encourage you to go through their pros and cons before choosing the ideal watch for you. And if you’re unsure about what to consider when selecting a skeleton watch, our little guide above is always there to help you understand the necessary factors.