Key takeaways
- A skeleton watch has an open dial that shows the movement working inside.
- An open heart watch shows only part of the movement through a small cutout.
- Most skeleton watches are mechanical, often automatic, so there is no battery.
- Our skeleton picks: the Spine and the Prince Oak, both automatic.
A skeleton watch is a watch with an open or cut-away dial that lets you see the movement inside, from the gears to the balance wheel ticking back and forth. It turns the mechanics of the watch into the design itself. Here is how a skeleton watch works, how it differs from an open heart and how to look after one.
In this guide
Skeleton vs open heart
Both show off the movement, but in different ways:
| Skeleton | Open heart | |
|---|---|---|
| What you see | Much of the movement through an open dial | A small window, usually showing the balance wheel |
| Look | Technical, bold, a conversation piece | Subtle, a hint of the mechanics |
| Readability | Hands sit over a busy background | Easier to read at a glance |
If you want to see the mechanics in full, a skeleton dial is the way to go.
How does a skeleton watch work?
Most skeleton watches use a mechanical movement, and many are automatic. In simple terms:
- The rotor winds the mainspring. A weighted rotor spins as you move your wrist and winds a spring inside the watch.
- The gear train passes on the energy. The spring slowly releases its energy through a series of gears.
- The escapement and balance wheel keep time. The balance wheel swings back and forth at a steady rate, letting the gears move forward in tiny, regular steps.
- The hands move. Those steps drive the hands around the dial.
On a skeleton watch you can watch much of this happen. For a closer look at each component, see Parts of a watch, and for how this compares with a battery-powered watch, read Automatic vs quartz.
Our skeleton watches
The bracelet version: Spine ($149.99)
An open skeleton dial showing its NH36 automatic movement, in a 42 mm stainless steel case with hardlex glass and 30 m water resistance. 14 mm profile and a 22 mm adjustable bracelet. In Iron, Platinum, Obsidian and Gold Iron.
The sporty version: Prince Oak ($149.99)
An automatic skeleton watch on a sporty silicone strap. The NH35 automatic movement is visible through the open dial, in a steel case with hardlex glass and 3 bar water resistance. 13 mm profile and a 26 mm strap, in versions including Obsidian, Forged Obsidian, Rose Obsidian and Rose Ice.
Want an automatic without the open dial? The N948 ($250.00) is an automatic dive watch with an NH36 automatic movement, sapphire crystal and 20 ATM water resistance. Browse all automatic watches.
| Watch | Movement | Case | Water resistance | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spine | NH36 automatic | 42 mm, 14 mm profile | 30 m | $149.99 |
| Prince Oak | NH35 automatic | Steel, 13 mm profile | 3 bar | $149.99 |
| N948 | NH36 automatic | 40 mm, 13.5 mm profile | 20 ATM | $250.00 |
Automatic watches
How to care for a skeleton watch
- Keep it running. Wear it regularly so the rotor keeps the mainspring wound. If it stops, our guide How to wind an automatic watch explains how to get it going again.
- Mind the water. 30 m or 3 bar is splash resistant, not for swimming. See Watch water resistance explained.
- Avoid strong magnets and hard knocks. Both can affect a mechanical movement.
- Store it safely. A watch roll or box protects the glass.
- Have it serviced now and then. Like any mechanical watch, it benefits from a check by a watchmaker every few years.
Is a skeleton watch right for you?
Choose a skeleton watch if you enjoy mechanics, like a watch that starts conversations and do not mind a dial that is a little busier to read. If you want the simplest possible daily watch, a clean quartz dial may suit you better. Bought as a present for a watch lover, it is a gift that keeps them looking at their wrist.
Frequently asked questions
What is the point of a skeleton watch?
It shows the movement at work, turning the mechanics into part of the design. Many people simply enjoy seeing the gears and balance wheel move.
Do skeleton watches need a battery?
Most skeleton watches are mechanical. The Spine and the Prince Oak both use an automatic movement, which winds as you move and needs no battery.
Is a skeleton watch harder to read?
It can be slightly harder, because the hands sit over the movement instead of a plain dial. Most people get used to it quickly.
What happens if I do not wear my automatic skeleton watch?
It will stop after a while. Get it running again by winding or wearing it (see How to wind an automatic watch), then reset the time.
Can I return a watch?
Every DIFFRNT order comes with a 30-Day Money Back Guarantee. See our refund policy for the conditions.
