A lot of people wonder what is happening inside their watches. Skeleton timepieces are unique models that help reveal this mystery by displaying the mechanisms hidden inside. No one can resist the beauty of the moving gears that mark the passage of time.
Usually, the high price is the biggest issue with this type of watches. It took more than 40 hours to analyze budget options of skeleton timepieces and compile this review for you. With the list of top models that combine an outstanding appearance, functionality, and a good price, you can find the best Skeleton watch under 500 dollars.
Top 10 Skeleton Watches Under 500 Dollars
Review | Name | Type | Features |
---|---|---|---|
![]() | Men's Stuhrling Menai (906.02) View Details | Automatic movement | 47 mm steel case 165 ft of aqua resistance Dual time zone Krysterna crystal lens 24 mm leather strap 2-year warranty |
![]() | Men's Stuhrling Luciano (371B.02) View Details | Automatic movement | 47 mm steel case 165 ft of aqua resistance Dual time zone Krysterna crystal lens 23 mm stainless steel bracelet 2-year warranty |
![]() | Men's Bulova Classic Sutton (98A214) View Details | Automatic movement | 43 mm steel case 100 ft of aqua resistance Mineral crystal 22 mm stainless steel bracelet 3-year warranty |
![]() | Men's Bulova Automatic (96A187) View Details | Automatic movement | 43 mm steel case 100 ft of aqua resistance Mineral crystal 22 mm stainless steel bracelet 3-year warranty |
![]() | Men's Bulova Maquina (98A179) View Details | Automatic movement | 46 mm steel case 330 ft of aqua resistance Sapphire crystal 26 mm stainless steel bracelet 3-year warranty |
![]() | Men's Relic by Fossil Cameron (ZR12110) View Details | Automatic movement | 42 mm steel case 165 ft of aqua resistance Mineral crystal 22 mm stainless steel bracelet 2-year warranty |
![]() | Men's Relic by Fossil Damon (ZR77241) View Details | Automatic movement | 50 mm steel case 165 ft of aqua resistance Mineral crystal 22 mm leather strap 2-year warranty |
![]() | Men's Stuhrling Executive (133.33151) View Details | Automatic movement | 44 mm steel case Second hand sub-dial 165 ft of aqua resistance Krysterna crystal lens 22 mm leather strap 2-year warranty |
![]() | Men's Kenneth Cole New York (10030812) View Details | Automatic movement | 40 mm steel case 165 ft of aqua resistance Mineral crystal 12 mm stainless steel bracelet 2-year warranty |
![]() | Men's Reef Tiger Artist Métiers D'Art (RGA1917) View Details | Automatic movement | 40 mm steel case 165 ft of aqua resistance Sapphire crystal 22 mm leather strap 3-year warranty |
Men’s Stuhrling Menai Automatic Watch (906.02)
Gaze into the miracle hidden inside the Menai model! This stunning 2019 watch offers a mesmerizing spectacle of the working movement thanks to a skeletonized dial and a see-through caseback.
This automatic model is great for avid travelers since it features a dual time zone. It comes with a separate GMT sub-dial and has a sun/moon indicator.
The watch is rather large due to its 47 mm case, but it doesn’t look massive. The black leather band hugs a men’s wrist with security and comfort.
- The onion-style crown includes a guard
- Kinetic energy keeps the self-winding mechanism active
- Keeps accurate time
- Water-resistant to 165 ft
- Available in 4 color variations
- A masterful and outstanding design
- Big for small wrists
Men’s Stuhrling Luciano Watch with Metal Band (371B.02)
Another model from Stuhrling is an automatic watch, which strikes by its unique design and functionality. Its skeletonized dial features a second time zone and an animated AM/PM sub-dial. The manufacturer puts everything on display: the transparent back cover allows wearers to see the mechanism at 360°.
The watch comes with a 47 mm stainless steel casing and is finished with a steel bracelet. The Krysterna crystal protects the polished beveled bezel.
- Aqua-friendly to 165 ft
- Charges through arm movements
- Comes in 4 color variations
- A new model released in 2019
- Shows dual time
- It may be large for thin wrists
- A little heavy
Men’s Bulova Classic Sutton Watch (98A214)
This automatic watch inspired by Bulova features a two-tone palette – silver and gold. Three gold-tone hands and hour indices go well with a silver-tone display. The awesome skeleton style at both sides of the watch allows users to monitor the movement marking the time. You may get lost looking at the ticking mechanism!
The stainless steel design looks very solid. The material for display protection is a mineral crystal. The timepiece comes with an affordable price tag, so there is no surprise that it features lower water resistance.
- A durable construction
- Reveals the inner mechanism
- A classic design and combination of colors
- Due to a hidden deployment clasp, the bracelet looks seamless
- Comes with only 100 ft of water resistance
Men’s Bulova Automatic Watch (96A187)
This masterpiece from Bulova gives its owners a gentle tease into the process going on behind the dial cover. On a silver dial, you see elegant Roman numerals performed in blue and can enjoy the amazing motion of the gears at work. The time is easy to read.
The 43 mm stainless steel case with mineral crystal protection offers aqua resistance of 100 ft. Along with a 5-link steel strap, the watch looks as if carved out of a single block.
- Has an exhibition back cover
- A sturdy design built to last a lifetime
- A seamless deployment closure
- A new model released in 2018
- The crown is protected
- The additional construction elements around the bezel add a massive look to the watch
- A low level of water resistance
Men’s Bulova Maquina Sport Style Watch (98A179)
The Maquina sport model is made of gunmetal stainless steel and has a sleek appearance. The 46 mm black steel case houses a sapphire crystal, which is anti-reflective. The interiors are partially visible, but a transparent caseback provides a better view of the mechanism. The crown is off-centered and comes with a guard.
With 40 hours of power reserve, you can enjoy ticking even during long nights.
- Comes in 3 color executions
- Can be used for swimming thanks to decent water resistance (330 ft)
- Suitable for formal events as well
- An awesome color
- A little heavyweight
Men’s Relic by Fossil Cameron Watch (ZR12110)
This 2014 model from Fossil is a mixture of skeleton and dive styles. The timepiece is performed in black, and the complex skeleton interior stands out on the monochrome dark background.
Both the case and the bracelet are manufactured of high-quality stainless steel. The 3-hand display comes with a nicely textured outer dial.
Due to 165 feet of aqua resistance, the timepiece can be used in a shower.
- The packaging is awesome
- Manufactured in 2 color variations
- Looks stylish
- The crown is protected
- Some wearers complain that the watch is gaining
Men’s Relic by Fossil Damon Dress Watch (ZR77241)
This 2013 model is designed for men with large wrists. It features a remarkable 50 mm case performed in a gold tone. The brown outer rim of the dial goes well with a brown leather band that is croco-embossed. The gold-tone ribbed crown is also worth mentioning as a part of the masterpiece.
The watch has a fashionable appearance. After you strap it to your wrist, you will never forget it. In addition, the piece is rather heavy and allows you to feel the weight of the beauty.
- Self-winding
- Aqua-resistant to 165 ft
- Segmented minute scale
- An affordable price
- Allows wearers to see the mechanism from both sides
- A large and thick case for thin wrists
- The hands are the same color as the background mechanism and make it difficult to read the time
Men’s Stuhrling Executive Skeleton Watch (133.33151)
Here is another model from Stuhrling where quality stands without rival. The timepiece integrates a stainless steel case, which is round and protected by a Krysterna crystal. The watch looks stunning with flume-styled hands and hour indices shaped like shark teeth. There is an additional sub-dial at 6 o’clock to keep track of seconds. The piece is equipped with an automatic mechanism powered by kinetic energy.
The black strap of genuine leather offers premium comfort to wearers.
- Available in 2 color executions
- Waterproof to 165 ft
- A new 2019 model
- An exhibition caseback
- The time is hard to read
Men’s Kenneth Cole New York Automatic Watch (10030812)
The design of this watch is not very common for modern timepieces. The thing is tonneau-shaped. With 40 mm in diameter, the case is made of stainless steel, including a crown. The automatic movement is kept safe under a mineral crystal cover.
The 3-link metal band is also made of brushed stainless steel and looks solid.
- Available in gold and silver variations
- A transparent back cover
- A durable construction
- Suitable for recreational swimming with 165 ft of water resistance
- Heavy and massive for small wrists
Men’s Reef Tiger Artist Métiers D’Art Accurate Watch (RGA1917)
The design of this watch adopts the baroque style. To show the beauty of the mechanism, the manufacturer uses carving technology and traditional art deco.
Every detail is made to impress a wearer: arc lines of the bezel, a pumpkin-shaped crown, diamond-like hour markers, leaf-shaped hands, and other design elements.
The automatic mechanism is securely protected by a sapphire crystal. The black band of genuine leather feels very comfortable, and besides, the lugs have a special construction to connect the strap.
- A unique design
- 165 ft of water resistance
- A display caseback
- Anti-reflective and scratch-resistant display protection
- The time is difficult to tell
Men’s Kenneth Cole New York Watch (KC50917001)
There are a hundred reasons to fall in love with this timepiece. Performed in all black, the model looks gorgeous. In fact, Kenneth Cole New York is a part of Geneva Watch Group, so wearers can be sure this mechanism will work flawlessly.
The manufacturer encased the quartz movement in hypoallergenic stainless steel. The 44 mm two-hand case rests along an incorporated steel bracelet.
The timepiece offers an opportunity to track 2 time zones, so the wearers can check their business partner time zone without opening a clock app.
- Made of steel that is safe for the wearer’s skin
- Can be worn in casual and formal settings
- Withstands splashes due to 100 ft of water resistance
- Comes with a second time zone sub-dial
- Features moon/sun animation
- Has no second hand
- Requires a battery
Fossil is known to manufacture timepieces with precise attention to every detail. This 2016 model is not an exception. It is performed in 2 colors – rose gold and blue. On the 44 mm dial, there is a calendar that indicates the date and days of the week and 2 chronographs (60-minute/24-hour).
With the Townsman, wearers are allowed for 165-feet underwater adventures, but its leather band is not recommended to be immersed in water.
The 22 mm calfskin strap attaches via a tang buckle clasp and gently rests on the wrist.
- The strap can be interchanged
- Features the calendar and stopwatch functions
- Time-keeping accuracy of the 3-hand quartz movement
- The selection of colors is successful
- Requires a battery to operate
FAQ
If you have any questions concerning this type of watches, you may find some answers below. This section covers the most typical information interesting to people who are planning to buy a skeleton model.
What Is a Skeleton Watch?
Skeleton watches are standard timepieces, except they allow wearers to see ? the fascinating world of gear movement. With these fantastic pieces, you can enjoy a mesmerizing interior mechanism in motion. Possessing such watches is more about style. They attract attention and strike conversations.
Are Skeleton Watches ⌚ Good?
This is a common misconception that skeleton watches are more fragile than regular timepieces. In fact, all these models are the same good. They feature the similar case material and dial window cover. The only thing that differs them from traditional watches is that they lack a dial back, but this construction element doesn’t actually provide any additional strength to the timepiece.
What Happens If You Don’t Wear Skeleton Watch?
Skeleton watches include mechanical movements that require winding. If you don’t wear a watch of this type every day, it may stop. To initiate the power reserve, wind the crown manually ✋. After that, the mechanism will run on its own. The mainspring in automatic watches winds automatically due to the wearer’s arm movements.
Where Can I Buy ? the Best Skeleton Watch Under 500 Dollars?
A skeleton watch can be purchased from official websites of the manufacturer or by visiting the company’s or authorized dealer’s store. This variant will work if you know exactly which model you’d like to obtain.
If you cannot specify your choice, try various internet sources like eBay, Amazon, Bloomingdale’s, Costco, and others. Online shopping allows you to narrow down your choice using special filters. This is very convenient since you may filter any parameter you need: the type of case, strap, mechanism, price, etc.
Conclusion
With so many brands and outstanding models of skeleton watches, it will not be easy to determine a particular model. The choice on this list is overwhelming! All the mentioned manufacturers are renowned for reliable and quality skeleton-style timepieces that blend supreme functionality and beauty at a reasonable cost.
Whatever your style or taste, you’ll find a model that fits you perfectly. It will also fit into your budget without leaving a dent in your wallet.
References
- Skeleton Watch – https://en.wikipedia.org/
- What Do You Think of Skeleton Mechanical Watches? And Why Are They So Cheap? – https://www.quora.com/
- Why Are Skeleton Watches Generally More Expensive? – https://www.reddit.com/