This article is available in French only.
A skeleton watch has an open-worked dial, and often an open-worked movement, so you can see the gears, bridges and balance wheel at work. On an automatic skeleton watch, you also see the rotor wind the mainspring as you move your wrist. The trade-off is legibility: choose contrasting hands and a clear chapter ring. Affordable skeleton watches often use the Seiko NH70, a skeletonized automatic movement.
Skeleton vs open heart
- Skeleton: most of the dial is removed and the movement is cut away to show as much of it as possible.
- Open heart: the dial stays full, with a single opening, usually over the balance wheel.
An open heart is easier to read and more discreet; a skeleton is the more spectacular choice.
Is a skeleton watch easy to read?
Less than a full dial, because the hands cross a busy background. Three details make a real difference: polished or lumed hands that contrast with the movement, a solid chapter ring for the minutes, and a crystal with anti-reflective coating. Try reading the time at a glance on the product photos before you buy.
The movement behind it
The Seiko NH70 is the skeletonized version of Seiko's NH-family automatics: open bridges and rotor, 24 jewels, about 41 hours of power reserve, hacking seconds and manual winding. It is as robust and serviceable as the NH35, which our NH35 guide covers in detail.
What to look for
- A see-through caseback, so you can watch the rotor and balance from both sides.
- Sapphire crystal on both sides, for scratch resistance.
- Clean finishing on the visible parts: on a skeleton, the movement is the dial.
- Water resistance stated clearly. Skeleton watches are rarely made for swimming.
Our ORBIT collection includes an automatic skeleton watch on the Seiko NH70. Every caliber is named on its product page.
Frequently asked questions
What is a skeleton watch?
A watch whose dial, and often movement, is open-worked to show the mechanism inside.
Are skeleton watches automatic?
Many are, but not all: some are hand-wound, and some cheap ones use a quartz movement behind a decorative open dial. Check the caliber.
Are skeleton watches fragile?
No more than any other automatic. The movement is protected by the case and crystal; avoid hard shocks, as with any mechanical watch.
