Skeleton watches – The art of sculpting time

Cutting materials down to the smallest detail, revealing the technical secrets that punctuate the course of time, inspiring fans of pure mechanics…

Offering both a captivating glimpse of movement and a perfect alibi for refined decorative techniques, the art of skeletonizing is a specialty that first appeared in the 18th century. Having fallen into disuse for several generations before reappearing in the 1930s, this technique, often described as an art because of its delicacy, has been enjoying a veritable revival in recent years.

Admittedly, the principle still consists of eliminating the dial, opening up the plate, bridges and cock to reveal the movement in its simplest form, but the classic, even baroque style often associated with skeleton watches is no longer a must. The modern skeleton has long since thrown off the shackles of traditional canons.

The only limit imposed on this perilous exercise is the right balance between transparency, solidity and reliability of the movement.

Every detail counts

With its openworked bridges and plate, polished gears and oscillating weight reproducing the Hermès signature , the Arceau Squelette in steel offers a fine balance between modernity and classicism. Its strong point: a bird’s-eye view of the watch’s mechanical landscape, down to the smallest detail.

In praise of modern times

A skeleton movement matched by the queen of complications for Hublot and its Classic Fusion Tourbillon skeleton in King Gold. Its strong point: a racy, robust, ultra-contemporary character.

The race of time in the foreground

The quest for transparency is one of the raisons d’être of the Oris Artelier Translucent Skeleton watch. The contrast between the skeleton and the anthracite hands ensures excellent legibility.