There is something truly enchanting about being able to see a watch’s movement on the dial of your timepiece. It makes you really appreciate every intricate component of the complication that turns and ticks together, bringing you an accurate and reliable time. 2016 has been an incredible year for the watch industry with some of the greatest innovations being released but thankfully skeletonised designs have not been forgotten and continue to remain one of the bestselling.
Here are some of my favourite skeletonised watches from the year so far:
Bell & Ross Aero GT Chronograph. RRP: £6,300.
Modelled after the Aero GT concept car that was designed with extraordinary body work, the Bell & Ross Aero GT Chronograph watch with its sharp edges and innovative appeal is an automotive masterpiece. The BR 03-94 embodies the very essence of the AeroGT car with its futuristic looking chronograph and metal hour markers coated with luminescent material. The timepiece also boasts a 42mm stainless steel case similar to the body of the concept motor, a crown made from the same red aluminium used in sports cars and an unmissable skeletonised dial formed from layers to give the watch a fascinating impression of depth. The AeroGT watch is completely different to all other Bell and Ross watches around and is a limited edition of 500 pieces.
Rado True Open Heart Watch. RRP: £1,720.
The beautifully decorated skeletonised dial of the Rado True Open Heart watch has a unique look with an airy and spacious feel thanks to the ultrafine layer of mother of pearl that floats over the top of the movement. The shimmering iridescence that glows from the mother of pearl adds an extra dimension of magic to the timepiece. The case of the Rado True Open Heart watch is crafted from high tech black ceramic which not only gives a futuristic shine but is much more comfortable thanks to the lightweight material. Like most Rado watches, the case flows effortlessly into the lugs and bracelet creating an elegant shape that moulds to the wrist and just like the Bell & Ross, this is also limited to only 500 pieces.
Maurice Lacroix Watch Masterpiece Seconde Mystery. RRP: £6,800.
Probably the most unusual design in our skeletonised line up, the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Seconde Mystery has a magical half-moon opening that lets you peer into the workings of the automatic manufacture calibre ML215. The off centered reading of the hours and minutes is completely unique and distinctive and will cause many looks of bewilderment at first glance of the dial. Nevertheless, there is something truly stunning about the combination of the skeletonised feature and the unusual hands layout. The model continues to impress with the open case back where a black and gold rotor appears that twirls and shows off its Cotes de Genève decoration.
TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01. RRP: £4,150
TAG Heuer are always breaking ground with their designs and this TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 watch is no exception. The mesmerising skeletonised dial looks ridiculously complex and makes you realise the amount of intricate detail that goes into a watch’s design. The visually delicious layers expose the date wheel and some of the gears, and through the open case back you can see even more of the automatic movement. Maintaining the famous TAG Heuer finish, the dial also boasts hand applied polished and fine brushed indexes with white and red luminescent markers and three counters: a chronograph minute at 12 o clock, a chronograph hour at 6 o clock and a running second at 9 o clock.
Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton. RRP: £7,490
Bold, masculine and completely unmissable, the Graham Chronofighter Superlight Carbon Skeleton does not want to be kept hidden under a sleeve. This model is one of my favourite skeletonised chronographs of the year and although it’s a little more pricey, it’s design and aesthetic completely makes up for that. Through the skeletonised dial you get a unique view of the balance wheel and escapement and thanks to the white Superluminova graduation on the hour and minute hands it means you don’t get too distracted from telling the time. The case is an impressive 47mm but it is crafted from a black carbon composite meaning the watch is no heavier than 100 grams.
