It amazes me how much time and money companies invest in developing superior mechanisms for their watches. This can involve years of extensive research and engineering to improve efficiency and performance. On that basis it is only right that these incredible movements are visibly showcased to their full potential. Here are five exquisite Skeleton Watches that perfectly illustrate this point.
Rpaige Wrocket “Spaceview”
Richard Paige is an exceptionally talented watchmaker based in Honolulu, Hawaii. His company Rpaige specialises in producing limited edition and custom made watches including the magnificent Wrocket “Spaceview”. This amazing timepiece is a well proportioned 44mm x 14mm excluding the lugs and crown. The case is constructed from lightweight titanium weighing only 67.3 grams. I love the skeleton dial with selected cut out areas and white ‘Art Deco’ hands. The watch is equipped with a 15-jewel Elgin antique American pocket watch movement dating back to 1901. This amazing timepiece is one of a kind and made to the customers specifications.
Hublot Big Bang UNICO King Gold Ceramic
Since its release in 2005 the Big Bang has been one of the most successful series of watches in Hublot’s 33-year history. The sensational Big Bang UNICO King Gold Ceramic is one of four exciting new timepieces recently unveiled at Baselworld 2013. With a well-proportioned diameter of 45.5mm the watch should appeal to most buyers. The satin-finished 18k gold case exudes refinement and gives the watch a luxurious appearance. Personally I feel the attention to detail on the skeleton dial is magnificent and the black ceramic bezel oozes charm. The watch is equipped with a complex in house developed movement, which consists of 330 hand finished and assembled components.
Zenith Academy Christophe Colomb
Zenith SA is a high-end luxury watchmaker that is currently owned by the prestigious LVMH group. Ultimately the company is known for producing incredibly accurate timepieces including the sublime Academy Christophe Colomb. This beautiful watch measures 45mm x 21.40mm and is encased in beautiful platinum. The dial is composed of three sapphire counters and is absolutely mesmerising. All the brilliance of the phenomenal mechanical movement is clearly exposed via a large aperture positioned at 6 o’clock. Functionally the watch features hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve indicator and a Self-regulating Gravity Control module.
Speake-Marin Triad
English born Peter Speake Marin started his career as a watch restorer in a prestigious antiques house. He used this extensive experience to establish his own company manufacturing a range of quality timepieces. The Triad is the first piece in a beautiful new range of watches called the Mechanical Art collection. Ultimately the name of this piece is derived from the musical term meaning three notes. The sophisticated façade is composed of numerous mechanical wheels displaying triple hour and minutes. I love the blue hands that perfectly contrast with the circular-grained, rhodium-plated central dial. This fantastic timepiece is encased in stainless steel (with an 18k red gold bezel) and is limited to only 88 pieces.
Sarpaneva Supernova
Stepan Sarpaneva is a small independent watchmaker based in Helsinki, Finland. I recently wrote a detailed editorial featuring his sensational Korona 1 and am a huge admirer of his unique talents. The Supernova is one of his earlier models and definitely one of my favourites. Dimensionally the timepiece measures a modest 40mm x 11.5mm, which is pretty small by modern standards. The skeletonised dial is outstanding and is composed of multiple layers. Ultimately the attention to detail on this timepiece is superlative and incredibly well finished. The watch features a modified ETA 2824-2 movement that comprises 27 jewels and oscillates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). Only 10 pieces were ever produced of this amazing timepiece.
