The Breitling Watch Source Forums

I have been thinking of adding a skeleton watch to my collection for a while now, ever since I sold my Hublot Aero Bang, I regretted it and missed that watch immensely, I have even thought about buying another one but I would like to change things up and try something new. The skeleton watch I was looking for would have to be something sporty and with a large case size, similar to the Aero bang. After scratching my brown dial itch with the Zenith I started searching and looking around and I stumbled on this excellent Harry Winston:



The watch has allot going for it, it is made of a unique material, looks great with that Fusion inspired design, and the HW chrono module is beautifully skeletonized, while the ETA base caliber is hidden away (nothing to see there), even the price is reasonable for this caliber of watch at around 21K street price. The only problem I have with the watch is that the skeletonized movement is covered by smoked glass, which means that the dial would look totally black in some light, gray in other light, and show the movement in other light. Not sure how the effect might be in real life, and this is one watch I definitely have to see in person before actually buying.

Of course, my dream watch in this category is the JLC Extreme Lab 2 in rose gold, what a magnificent watch! If I could find it for under 45K I would have to seriously consider it, but at its current asking price I am hesitant. The Richard Mille watches are fantastic and have amazing movements, but I am not crazy about the case designs and for that kind of scratch the JLC is a better option.

What other watches in this category would you recommend? Anything I am missing?

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Certified watch nut.

I like skeletons and have some experience with them. Legibility is usually OK as long as there is a contrast between the hands and the 'dial', otherwise it can be a pain.

Not necessarily what you were looking at, but my preference with a skeleton is to look at the skeletoniser rather than the brand, and for me the two giants are Armin Strom and Jochen Benzinger. Of course the JLC 8 day perpetual skeleton is an exception to that

A member here has a Hublot aero bang that you used to own and is considering selling it to fund a Pam 372. The JLC Extreme Lab 2 is by far the nicest skeleton watch in that price range. I prefer the titanium model since I think RG pieces should be dressy as opposed to sporty.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

Youve ruled out both of my would-be suggestions already, so ive got nothing right now. I agree with serge 100% though, that the extreme lab 2 in titanium would be a no-brainer if it meets your criteria.

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-RJ

How about the AP RO skeleton?

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z

I happen to know exactly where you can find an excellent skeletonized watch: http://breitlingsource.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?f=3&t=40516

Seriously, though, it is a hard watch to beat for the money, although admittedly the Perrelet brand might be too run-of-the-mill for your tastes, and it is "just" a 7750 (that said, I find the skeleton 7750 fascinating to look at because it is so complex, but I am a functionality geek).

I second Roff on the JLC Master 8 days perpetual skeleton. It seems like the quintessential skeleton to me. If you are looking more for atristry, then Benziger might be the way to go. Hublots skeletons are nice in pictures but I find them a little boring in person...I think they lack the three-dimensionality that a lot of skeletons have.

///M

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There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness." --Dave Barry

I was thinking that and the AP Milenary but they don't fit his sporty criteria.

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"I don't own any watches, I just lease them"

The Milenary is dressy but the RO can be pseudo-sporty in a way. Maybe he can get a rubber strap for it?

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"I don't got the bright watch I got the right watch" -Jay Z