Four watches with skeleton dials

Skeleton dial watches are now appearing in the hands of many collectors around the world. Skeletonization, which is created by removing material from the dial and other non-essential parts of the watch, is one of the trends in modern watchmaking. Many brands release skeletonized models every year, and the ways in which they are expressed are truly diverse. Here we introduce four timepieces that currently allow you to enjoy this beautiful finish.

ベル＆ロス

　In early fall 2019, Bell & Ross unveiled a new flagship collection based on the concept of "urban luxury." Among the various variations available, including color, case material, and dial finish, is a model featuring a skeletonized movement, a rare find outside of experimental timepieces. The BR05 Skeleton, limited to 500 pieces worldwide, is equipped with the BR-CAL.322 movement based on the Sellita SW300. The openwork rotor, reminiscent of a gear, rotates across the entire width of the movement, creating a spectacular sight. This is a rare attempt at skeletonization, as skeletonization has previously been limited to certain high-end models, such as the BR-X2 Tourbillon.

Ulysse Nardin

　The allure of the 44mm Executive Freewheel is defined by its revolutionary movement, developed entirely in-house. Not only do the gear train and bridges appear to float above the dial, but the movement also boasts a 7-day power reserve, displayed on an indicator at 4 o'clock. The manual-winding caliber UN-176 is also noteworthy, featuring an anchor flying tourbillon with a constant escapement. The Executive Freewheel is available in four limited edition models, each featuring a dial crafted from osmium, the rarest and densest element, as well as aventurine, straw marquetry, and carbonium gold. Each model comes with a black or blue alligator strap.

Maurice Lacroix

　This unconventional addition to the sporty "Icon" family is based on the philosophy of "the rapid fluidity of time" (hence the name "Mercury") and employs an unprecedented "freehand" system. When worn normally, the hour and minute hands dangle without indicating the correct time, but as soon as the wearer tilts their wrist to look at the time, the hands instantly return to their correct position. This unique display system is said to have taken three years of development, and features two snail-cam mechanisms on the back of the openwork dial, one for the hours and one for the minutes, which use gravity to move the hands.

Chronoswiss

　Chronoswiss is not shy about bold color combinations, much like the designs of its regulators. 2019 saw the launch of a stunning lineup, including the limited-edition Flying Grand Regulator Skeleton, featuring apricot orange hands and baby blue accents. This new model, limited to just 30 pieces worldwide, features a 44mm stainless steel case with a satin-finished and polished finish. The case is characterised by Chronoswiss's iconic coin edge and a vintage-inspired onion-shaped crown, while the silver-coloured openwork dial offers a view of the mechanism. Powering this movement is the manual-winding caliber C.677S, with its carefully skeletonised main plate, bridges, and gears. The dial features a multi-layered construction, including a mortar-shaped subdial for displaying the time. Poire Stewart hands mark the hours, minutes, and seconds on the main and subdials, respectively.