They're completely on-par with the competition at the same price-class.

I'd also cross-shop Fossil because their warranty is a little better/a little easier to use if you have a retail location nearby. Rotary's probably worth a look as well, but essentially everything in the <$150 price class is Chinese.

Be mindful that contrast and readability on a skeleton watch can suck, so look for something where the hands are easy to read against the background of the skeleton dial.

 

What's your budget??

 

My maximum that I would wish to spend is $400-500.
I'm not really concerned with readability on a skeleton; I'm primarily getting it as a "show" piece

 

I reckon that Sea-Gull have some decent looking watches.

 

So I haven't noticed this question in a long time.

Here are a few threads that list the common contenders:
https://www.watchuseek.com/f71/looking-nice-skeleton-watch-under-500-euros-1730018.html
https://www.watchuseek.com/f71/best-skeleton-watch-under-200$-1084891-2.html
Need advice on a skeleton watch!https://www.watchuseek.com/f72/looking-suggestions-cheap-but-good-skeleton-watch-808509.html
looking for affordable skeleton watch
Clean, Affordable Skeleton?
re: Looking for an affordable skeleton watch
Birthday watch from the wife
https://www.watchuseek.com/f71/affordable-skeleton-watch-931234.html

If your budget is $500, then you might be able to get the Hamilton Viewmatic.

Not a full skeleton, but you get to see the cool parts, and it's easier to read (and of course well made, since it's a Hamilton).

 

I bought this Caravelle skeleton at World of Watches for $25. No issues with it so far.

https://www.amazon.com/Caravelle-Bulova-45A120-Display-Automatic/dp/B00IS4OKI8

 

Looking into the same this here. Have you checked Wilk watchworks?
Wilk Watchworks - Custom Handcrafted Watches

you can have one built with Asian (hangzhou) movement and sapphire crystal for about 480 USD.

 

Tissot is a good one

 

yeah I would love a Tissot T-Complication squelette, but it's out of the price range by far.

 

I like my Caravelle too.

 

Everyone gets one free, what are you talking about??

 

There is the full skeleton version of the Kirkwood. It was originally released under the Accutron brand, but was later switched to Accu-Swiss. It comes in a few different variants, including leather and stainless straps. I think there is a gold version, too.

This one is $391 at Jacob Time...

https://www.jacobtime.com/Bulova-Ac...EBRD9lfno2dek0tsBEiQAWVKyuNzx0bFOfxEcrwXlIAvGq6QAxuU9if0pNeSHChEbZGMaAsK48P8HAQ

They also have the stainless model for $485...

https://www.jacobtime.com/Bulova-Ac...EBRD9lfno2dek0tsBEiQAWVKyuIC_bnyeA7deDaUOESZrsnWGdr7CYrM9bSYuPDLtphIaAnYt8P8HAQ

I'm not saying you cannot find better prices with a little looking. That is just what I found with a quick Google search. I know that The Watchery and World of Watches often have the Kirkwood on sale.

 

Also, you didn't bother to put your location in your profile, but if you are near a TJ Maxx, you may want to check there for a Fossil skeleton watch. TJ Maxx had them in stock around the holidays for about $80; you may still be able to find one.

 

I remember being in Macy's pre Christmas and there were automatic skeleton watches that weren't terribly expensive.
Personally you almost couldn't give me a skeleton.

 

Armitron offers a modestly priced skeleton automatic.

Invicta offers a large number of skeletons in various sizes and aesthetic treatments, but if you want a showpiece, the 1090 'Russian diver' model gets a special mention. This hand wind measures an astounding 51.5mm diameter across the case. We don't judge and you're welcome to find this watch either breathtaking or gasp inducing.

And actually, you can go Swiss for under $150USD with the Swatch Uncle Charly and Body&Soul skeletons. These watches have Swiss-built ETA 2841 automatic movements and measure a traditional Swiss man's dress watch 37mm.

$500 budget for a showpiece skeleton? For $700 you can have a tourbillon!

 

The caravelle, akribos, sturhling, all use similar chinese movements (sea gull). So if you're nkt sure about sturhling, then tge same should apply to tge others.

The bulova uses a miyota auto AFAIK.

You can also check out fossil. The new fossil open heart/skeleton "Grant" also uses a miyota 21 jewel (japanese). Tgat should offer some difference to the sturhling.

 

The bulova uses a miyota auto AFAIK.

Newer Bulovas use Japanese movements. The Accu Swiss line, like the Kirkwoods above, uses Swiss movements, generally ETA or Sellita, depending on the model. It's not always easy to find the exact movement.

Accu Swiss has been discontinued, and is available for pretty big discounts from list on ebay and some of the discount sites.

 

Great suggestions everyone, kind of leaning towards a tourbillon now lol, predictably enough.

 

Hi all,

I've been meaning to add a skeleton watch to my collection, but am on a budget. Anyone have some suggestions?

If you can wait 6 months to take delivery, check out Griffin Emblem. I just happened to see this earlier today and I'm very intrigued. They might not be a true skeleton but some models show components of the movement from the front. I think they just look cool. Might be my first venture with a start-up.

KICKSTARTER: Griffin Emblem; Watches With A Personal Approach - watchuseek.com

 

I'm ruined for skeleton watches. I read some of the watch magazine/bloggs on the interweb. When you've seen how beautifully finished the movement on a luxury skeleton watch, Angelus, ALS, etc. You can't then go back to looking at the 'unfinished' movements in affordable skeletons.