13 Best Skeleton Watches (Review) In 2021

Our number one pick first the best skeleton watches to get us started is the sleek, eye-catching and marvelously affordable ALPS Luxury Automatic Skeleton Watch. The Austrian diamond-decorated design screams class, and the self-winding function are reliable and precise.

It is waterproof up to 30 meters (or 100 feet), which is fine for a quick swim but not suitable for diving and the 90-day warranty covers any issues you encounter early on. As a bonus, there’s also a handy link removal tool supplied to ensure you can get the perfect fit whether it’s a watch for you or a Christmas gift for somebody else.

The Stührling Original Executive Skeleton Watch is a watch that will be hard to tear your eyes from once you have it secured around your wrist. The mesmerizing movement is superb, even for a skeleton watch, and the 22-jewel movement is precise and means you never need to replace the battery. 

The thing we love most about it is that you will catch something new every single time you glance at it. For longevity that blends beautifully with style, it’s a watch that you can stare at for hours, and you’ll be able to count those hours while doing it, too. If you are also looking for quality timepieces for active men, check out our guide to the best triathlon watches.

With sleek, automatic movement, the Bulova Automatic finds the perfect balance between sophisticated and sporty, with its gunmetal case and diver’s watch-style design. It has a 46mm case and is water resistant to 100 meters, which is fine for swimming and snorkeling. However, it’s not a dive watch, so diving is out of the question.

Despite the automatic movement keeping the power flowing, it also has a 40 hour power reserve to keep it ticking even when you’re not moving. The sapphire glass is sleek, clear, and scratch-resistant, so even the clumsiest horologist will enjoy the perfect style whenever they strap it around their wrist, and with a double lock clasp, you can be confident it’s secure. 

The Invicta Vintage Analog Self Wind Watch is one of the most gorgeous timepieces we have ever seen. The rose gold plated finish is stunning and blends perfectly with the white face and Roman numerals. The 3, 6, 9, and 12 are larger than other digits,  which makes it easy to tell the time even at the slightest glance.

You’re likely not buying the watch for its time-telling abilities, though. The inner mechanisms are not as on-show as other watches, but this actually helps adds to the style. The compact skeleton design means that the face doesn’t feel too busy, allowing you the chance to check the time and show off your excellent taste all at the same time. Our guide to the best fishing watches features some amazing products for outdoor activities, so check them out.

The IK Coloring Bestn Skeleton Watch is one of the best affordable skeleton watches that you can find. It has something that very few other skeleton watches have: a luminous pointer to make it easy to read the time wherever you are, especially if your phone dies during your day, and this is complemented by a simple dial design that’s satisfying to look out, but not too overwhelming.

It is water-resistant to 30 meters and comes with a 12 month warranty to ensure any teething problems are easily dealt with. The movement is, of course, entirely automatic, but if you want to give it a little boost the day you pull it out of the box, about 20 crown revolutions should do it. If you are a fan of hiking, be sure to check out our guide to the best hiking watches. 

The Hublot Classic Fusion Classico is one that comes with an 18 karat rose gold case that immediately helps tell you what you should expect here. The 90 hour power reserve keeps things ticking, while the black leather strap is durable and matches with just about any outfit. If you’re brave enough to wear it on vacation, you can enjoy the 50 meters of water resistance, too.

At nearly $20,000 it doesn’t come cheap, but anyone who knows their stuff about watches understands that this is one heck of an addition to any collection, and if money isn’t an issue, then we see no reason you shouldn’t consider a purchase. For more stylish and quality timepieces, check out our guide to the best Luminox watches.

The Fossil Analog Automatic Self-Wind Watch is a watch that just makes you happy when you look at it. No matter who you are, no matter what you know about watches, you’ll enjoy how everything about this watch seems to fit perfectly into place.

The mechanisms are the centerpiece but are also not too obvious that it distracts from the rest of the watch. The numerals are Roman, while stick indices make the perfect border. The distressed leather band helps make it feel like a watch you can wear at any time, the water-resistance means you can feel confident wearing it, and the 40 hour power reserve keeps it accurate if you can’t wear it for a day or two. For golf fans, we have prepared a selection of the best golf GPS watches, so check them out.

Even though the Tissot T-Complication Squelette Analog Display Watch costs nearly $1,500, it’s still easily considered one of the cheaper options in the grand scheme of things, and this could be the gateway for people who like watches, but still aren’t sure if they love them just yet.

The luminous hands make it easy to check the time at any, um, time, while the stainless steel case is secure and durable. This case also blends beautifully with the leather strap to give you the best of both worlds, and the scratch-resistant sapphire crystal ensures it looks as good as it feels not only the first, second, or third time you wear it, but every time. Be sure to also check out our guide to the best tactical watches for some versatile timepieces you will love.

Simple but still stylish, the Swatch Automatic See-Through Dial Crystal Watch is an excellent choice for anyone who needs a reliable everyday watch that offers a little more than your standard digital or analog options. The automatic movement is precise, while the mineral crystal ensures the face is protected from scratches and knocks.

The coolest feature, though, whether intentional or not, is the spring tightness, which helps you gauge how much power the watch has left before you need to rewind it. This can ensure you never run out of power and can ensure everything continues to tick over whether you’re at work or enjoying a great evening out. Our guide to the best Victorinox Swiss Army watches features some of the most amazing products by this remarkable brand, so check them out.

For those who like to collect or just show off the finest skeleton watches for men, the Audemars Piguet Millenary Watch will be a fine addition. At nearly $30,000 (not a typo) at its cheapest, it’s one of those things that doesn’t just claim to be a luxury purchase, it absolutely is one.

But what a purchase it will be. The case is 18 karat gold and inside has classy Roman numeral markers which are accentuated by the seconds subdial. There’s a 60 hour power reserve to keep it running, even if you’re too scared to wear it out, and it’s also water resistant to 20 meters if you want to wear it while doing laps in your Olympic-sized home swimming pool. For more excellent timepieces like this, check out our guide to the best field watches.

If you’re a watch-lover who prefers busyness over modest design, the Tag Heuer Carrera Calibre Skeleton Dial Watch is the ideal watch for you. It contains 3 chronographs and a date window to keep the organization to the highest quality, while the sapphire crystal window ensures durability from rough housing and everyday wear.

Of course, the self-winding movement ensures battery-free convenience, and the analog display is excellent for those who prefer the traditional operation. The mechanisms aren’t as clear as others, but this is where Tag have blended the traditional with the modern and executed it perfectly. For all the sportsmen and athletes out there, we have prepared our selection of the best sports watches, so be sure to check them out.

With genuine alligator leather, the Stührling Original Skeleton Watch delivers luxury right into your hand (or wrist, really). It boasts superb automatic movement that is both reliable and powerful, while the comprehensive warranty, an international one at that, ensures you can fix any issues immediately no matter where you are.

It’s comfortable, and the face is something that makes you realize how complex watchmaking actually is. It gives you a peek into the artistry behind every watch, and the chronographs offer something different to your standard experiences. It blends patterns with functions, and it does so seamlessly. You may also be interested in some of the best watch winders, so be sure to check out our list of the best ones on the market.

Our final and also choice for the best value option of the best skeleton watches is the GLEIM Skeleton Watch brings style and luxury with something that is always appreciated no matter what you buy: affordability.

It boasts the automatic watch movement you expect along with a casual leather band that makes it suitable for all occasions. It’s water resistant to 30 meters and also offers a 12 month warranty following the purchase. While it self-winding, you can get the most from it by turning the crown around 25 times before putting it on to give it a nice power boost so you can step out in style.