True ‘skeletonization’ also includes the trimming away of any non-essential metal on the bridge, plate, wheel train or any other mechanical part of the watch, leaving only a minimalist ‘bare’ skeleton of the movement required for functionality.
Back when my wife and i were dating I kept talking about wanting a skeleton watch, but I never thought to communicate what that was, and didn’t know why she was always so profoundly unenthused by something I was showing interest in, it was unlike her. She was much happier about it when my folks got me one for x-mas and she found out it it was not, in fact, a watch decorated with skeletons, lmao.
Dude what is wrong with a skeleton-themed watch
TIL there’s a fancy name for “replacing the back plate with glass.”
Clear bottom case is different from skeleton. The watchface is specifically designed for see through, as are mechanical parts.
Luxury brands have to somehow find a way to make the most mundane shit seem complex to justify their prices.
Who even wears watches anymore anyway? Oh right, people with too much money.
I’ve read that around 6 years ago many influencers bought high end watches and then the market crashed 2022. So your 80k something watch is worth 40k after that. And they didn’t wear them, straight to bank after the sale.
people who want to know the time without relying on a glass slab the size of a sandwich?
I wear a Casio prefer it to “smart watches” and sometimes you want to know the time without taking out your phone. Like when driving.
Analog watches are cheap af and don’t need to be replaced like phones. 🤦♂️
This just maked me want to bring back clear-plastic electronics.
🤩🤩🤩
As a kid my friend who owned an N64 got to use the clear-green controller. The rest of us always had to wrestle it out for the other three opaque controllers based on how fucked up the joysticks were.
I had that one 🥺
I still do :D.
Not super interesting looking except for the visible antennas and connectors.
I still think it looks interesting. But those are plastic cover panels underneath the clear plastic. You can see the screws through the back. So not quite the same.
Yeah all the components in the fairphones are modularized with no exposed electronics so it’s easy for non-technical users to swap defective parts without damaging anything. So nothing cool to see sadly, except for repairable design.
That really cool
high-end watches are crazy. this is a 500 grand jacob & co astronomia:
they have tons of these, all with free-floating three-axis tourbillions.
I never liked Jacod & Co, I don’t find their watches useful at all. Imagine walking and your hand goes on the wall.
Imagine someone with Jacob walking near a wall…
they also have ones covered completely with diamonds so they can’t be read. usability is probably not their primary concern.
If you own a watch like this, probably someone else is walking for you. /s
Just insane that thing even works. Crazy engineering.
This is not a watch you wear, this is a display watch/collectors item.
Probably a good investment piece too.
Not sure if this counts or not, but Swatch has many lovely pieces that showcase the internal components, most of which go for under $300. This one has been my daily driver for about 18 months now
I have honestly never seen a skeletonized quartz. That’s actually kinda cool.
My old (2005?) Swatch skin was similar but it had no ring to contrast the hands. It’s kind of a cheat watch since it ticks once every 15 seconds, and doesn’t carry a second hand. But I did enjoy it until the face got severely scratched. Don’t reach behind stuff with your watch hand.
On top of what has already been said, some advice based on personal experience; if you plan to wear the watch, check what the watch face material is and avoid bio-ceramic. My first mechanical watch had a few big scratches within a few months which was kind of disappointing.
I have one of the cheapest you can buy, a Relic. It’s been working great for me for over 10 years now.
This is really cool. I’m going to add it to my list for gifts.
There’s plenty to be had for under $50, actually. I had an awesome one, but broke the sapphire in it. That was like 20 years ago :-\
Metal (literally)
Now wait till they learn about Skeleton Witch.
Spooky
As a watch collector, they’re usually on the cheap side. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but they’re usually on the shitty side as well. Kind of like those weird ass knives at truck stops are basically Chinese pot metal crap, they just want someone to think they’re cool who has no idea what they’re buying.
Maybe some, but can’t you actually get one that’s made well? I’ve seen a few for a couple hundred.
I have a few. They really run the gamut. I have some very nice pieces, and a handful of extremely cheap ones from Ali Express which, ironically enough, get more road time. Jaeger le coultre is kinda infamous for their skeleton guys, although known for being some what overpriced for the quality. You want to see a really cool one where the movement itself is built into the hands? Look up ulysse nardin freak.
I’ve found plenty that are very nice quality. I mean like the decently good Bulova/Citizen kind of quality, and not the TAG Hauer / Breguet kind. But that’s a pretty long way from shitty Chinesium. Although there’s plenty of shitty watches of all kinds, too.
Have one and it’s just incredible. Rather affordable too, if you have an interest in watches. Mine is a Seiko Presage cocktail time (blue) and it’s going strong for almost 8 years now. Its very well built
could someone recommend a good cheap starter?
I’m always over stimulated by the choice and want something nice and quality for the money.
Is 200 too cheap?
I’m happy with my Seiko 5. It was like 90$ when I got it 7-8 years ago. It took a bit for it to “wear in” but now it keeps time for months without me having to set it.
Seiko makes excellent mechanical wrist watches. What is your intrigue? I’m assuming you like the idea of mechanical wrist watches and want a timepiece that is accurate and built to last. $200 is just a little below their entry price point I believe but you can always find used watches on eBay/Marketplace and the like. If you learn a little bit more about the industry then you might be able to find a bargain and get it serviced to work like new.
I got extremely lucky when I was fixated on the idea of owning or restoring a mechanical watch when I learned that my grandfather left behind a 1930’s Hamilton. Nothing super high end, but a watch that would probably go for $600 today and was my style. I find it hard to match my style today because it seems everyone is searching for a massive statement piece on their wrist. I just wanted a watch that ticks when its quiet, has character, and can be passed on to my own children.
For a skeleton watch, yes.
For a mechanical watch, also yes.
Unfortunately, prices have gone through the roof in the past few years.
Now I don’t think there are any nice quality watches left in that price range.You can still get a Vostok Amphibia for that kind of money, which is entirely hand-crafted, definitely interesting mechanically, and will last decades. But buying from Russia at the moment (on a Russian website), waiting a month for delivery, and getting the Vostok experience isn’t everyone’s cup of tea. Also, I don’t think it’s even possible to get them shipped to the US.
Even a nice Quartz watch like a solar-powered Citizen Eco-Drive will be slightly out of your budget.
If you still do want a mechanical watch, look for Seiko, Citizen and Orient. Those are the best budget offerings.
Chinese Red Star watches also fit the budget, but they’re also not for everyone.I second Citizen Eco-Drive
I have a ton of watches and I wear my Citizen Eco-Drive Primo Stingray 620 pretty much everyday.
Definitely would suggest a solar or motion powered watch. Batteries are a pain.
Thirded, automatics are only if you plan on making it your daily driver though cause their power reserves rarely are 48+hours. Solar faces are nice, but honestly, batteries will last almost half a decade and cost $10 to replace at most jewelers.
But if you want the best of both worlds, with a sweeping second hand and you don’t have to wind it or wear it everyday? Lol for one with a TMI VH31 movement.
I have an Original Grain watch that I like a lot. Not too expensive.
Some companies have mechanical watches in the 400-500€ range that can go for 200€ used. I have a Junkers that I bought used for 200€ some years ago, and it’s got a glass bottom (other models do, too). But honestly, I wouldn’t make this a criterion, because you rarely see the back, and skeleton watches can sometimes look tacky.
Y’all talk about junkers at that price‽ Lol. Let me introduce you to my $12 Hamilton knockoff!
If you’re any dexterous at all, you can build a completely custom one that you choose all the parts for~$150. And it’s the same movement they use in some $1000+ pieces.
That’s the worst advice for someone who said they have too many options and are overstimulated
Festina. Reliable miyota movements.
I’ve got one of these, and it’s the least expensive that won’t get sneers
https://www.orientwatchusa.com/collections/orient-bambino/ra-ag0002s30b
I’ve never sesn a post that made me so ready to spend money before
They aren’t too expensive really, and I think it’s a great thing for people to have something like this that doesn’t rely on anything digital at all.
I looked at a few and there’s some nice designs for <£100 (~110$), but then i realised I’m already too attached to reading the time on my digital watch so i’d never really use it.
Had one of these at one point. I enjoy the look.
Omg, where’s the nsfw tag?!? /s
unzips
So the unziping part is not sarcasm?
Correct
