Skeleton Pocket Watches

Skeleton Pocket Watches have an open-worked dial, so you can see the gears and the balance wheel moving while the watch keeps time. Most are hand-wound mechanical and sit inside a full hunter or half hunter case, in silver-tone, gold-tone, brass and black finishes. They suit anyone who wants the movement to be the feature.

What is a skeleton pocket watch?

A skeleton watch has parts of the dial cut away, so the working parts are on show. On a mechanical piece, what you see is the movement doing the work: wind the crown and the balance wheel starts to swing.

Does a skeleton pocket watch need a battery?

Almost every piece in this range is mechanical, wound by hand using the crown, with no battery. The movement is listed on each product page. For a battery watch, see Swiss Pocket Watches.

Which case protects a skeleton dial?

A solid cover keeps the open dial safe in a pocket, while a window lets you check the hour without opening it. Compare Full Hunter Pocket Watches and Half Hunter Pocket Watches, or browse all Vintage Style Pocket Watches.

Who is a skeleton watch a good gift for?

It makes a strong first mechanical watch and a talking point at a wedding, graduation or retirement. Add a chain from Pocket Watch Chains so it can be worn on the day.

Frequently asked questions

Is a skeleton pocket watch harder to read?

It can be, because the movement sits behind the hands. If reading the time at a glance matters, look for designs with contrasting hands and numerals, such as white numerals against a dark case, or gold-tone hands over a silver-tone movement.

How often do I wind a skeleton pocket watch?

Wind a mechanical skeleton watch once a day, ideally at about the same time. Turn the crown gently until you feel resistance, then stop. Never force the crown past that point, as overwinding strain can damage the mainspring.

Can I see the movement with the cover closed?

On a full hunter, no: the solid cover hides the dial until you open it. A half hunter window shows part of the dial and the hour hand. An open face skeleton shows the movement all the time, with no cover to lift.