8 of the best skeleton dials of 2020, from $340 to more than a million

Zach Blass

Skeleton dials are not necessarily everyone’s cup of tea, but the gearheads and engineers among us go crazy for the transparent aesthetic. They allow the wearer to see the internals of their watch throughout the day without having to flip the watch over to take a peek. When done right, it becomes a fascinating city of gears beneath the crystal that is sure to raise intrigue with any eye it catches. This year has had some pretty neat skeleton releases, so we have compiled 8 of the best skeleton dials of 2020 for your pleasure.

Swatch x 007 ²Q

While the transparency of a skeleton dial can command high price tags, the Swatch x 007 ²Q is a welcome exception. This will appear in the upcoming No Time To Die film this April on the wrist of Q, who is the man behind all of 007’s amazing gear and tech we see the agent use throughout the film. As a character who serves as the developer and keeper of techonolgy bestowed upon Bond it makes sense he would wear a skeletonised watch – as well as wear a cost-effective one at that, considering all the shenanigans and gear tests going on at HQ. The Swatch x 007 ²Q is the most affordable upcoming Bond watch and is sure to be a hit among budding and experienced watch collectors alike. Price: $340 AUD

BR05 Skeleton Blue

The BR05 Skeleton Blue is the second limited edition of 500 that deviates from the original limited edition model by one component: its sapphire crystal. A seemingly small change makes a world of difference, giving new colour and breadth to the BR05 skeleton line with a blue-tinted sapphire crystal. Equally as transparent but ever more vibrant, the skeleton blue stays true to B&R’s priority for legibility with raised white hands and markers that contrast very well against the blue backdrop. The Sellita movement inside has been modified to truly provide a window into the watch’s heart, a treat for all fans of horology and reliability. Price: $6900 USD

Rado True Square Automatic Open Heart

Rado has proven itself time and again to be an industry maestro when it comes to working with ceramics. While many brands tend to skew towards similar and conventional profiles, Rado designs stand out with distinct shapes and forms – and the True Square Automatic Open Heart is no exception. The square 38mm case and integrated bracelet are fashioned in a black gloss ceramic reminiscent of a fine piano. The movement is on full display, front and back, giving the wearer plenty of heroical eye candy to marvel at. Price $3675 AUD

Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Meca-10 Black Magic

Hublot flexes their manufacturing might with the Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Mecca-10 Black Magic. Beneath the dial is a factory of gears, executed with a very industrial feel and tone. Considering it has a whopping 10 days of power reserve, this horological factory on the wrist definitely means business. Sure, you won’t see any Geneva stripes or perlage on the in-house caliber HUB 1223, but this watch is finished to a superior degree, though with a stealthier overall aesthetic. It is meant to be anything but conventional. Hublot, always experimenting with evolution and defying expectations, through industrial sorcery has really created a timepiece that holds true to its name: Black Magic. Price: $38,000 AUD

Zenith Defy Classic Carbon

The Zenith Defy Classic Carbon takes the eminently handsome DC case, and overlays an intriguing skeleton dial pattern that disappears perhaps more than the previous version, which had it more noticeable in contrasting steel. This is a very compelling option also seeking the intense lightness of being that the carbon material brings to the wrist.

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton

This may very well be the most prestigious watch on this list, as the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton won the GPHG prize for Calendar and Astronomy. Just 8.1mm thick, this incredibly complicated watch required hours of hand finishing and assembly to bring to fruition. While a very luxurious watch, it is highly versatile as it can be paired with its precious bracelet as well as two bundled straps in rubber or leather. With a quick-release style tab on the back of each bracelet or strap, it is incredibly easy to swap between the trio – and all without the help of a watchmaker. Astoundingly, so long as the watch is wound continuously, the perpetual calendar will not need adjustment or intervention until March 1, 2100! Price: upon request but circa 127,000 CHF

Richard Mille RM 27-04 Tourbillon Rafael Nadal

As both a horology and tennis fan, I am extremely impressed with this watch and its really neat nod to the sport. The incredibly lightweight watch is 38g of the brand’s TitaCarb and wears 38.4mm across, 47.25mm lug to lug, and 11.4mm thick – making this watch more compact than a Rolex Submariner. The manual-wind tourbillon movement is supported by steel cables anchored to the movement via the two visible red turnbuckles. So why steel cables? And why in this manner? It is meant to evoke the strings of a tennis racket and, believe me, even at macro scale it really does resemble it. It is a very fitting tribute for the 10th anniversary of their partnership with the legendary Rafael Nadal, and I can only imagine how pleased Rafa was when he found out he was going to strap yet another masterpiece to his wrist. If only I could win the lottery, then I might stand a fighting chance to own one of the watches in this 50-piece limited edition. Price: $1,050,000 USD 

Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph

It is no secret that upon its initial release, the Code 11.59 did not necessarily get the warmest welcome from the watch community. As experts have noted, however, neither did the Royal Oak back in 1972 – and as the Code 11.59 collection continues to evolve it is clear the watch has found its footing among collectors. Case in point, the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph is a masterclass of fusing traditional watchmaking with a futuristic and modern composition. This is Holy Trinity watchmaking at its finest, and on full display thanks to the skeletonisation of the dial. The entire movement is exquisitely bevelled and hand finished, while also made of titanium and nickel silver – again tradition meets innovation. It really stands up to the collection’s motto: before you break the rules you must master them. Price 240,000 CHF