What makes skeleton watches different is their watch dial design which is transparent or has a cut-out. The transparent dial or cut-out allows you to see the inner workings of the watch and see all the parts moving inside the watch in real time. These one-of-a-kind timepieces are available in multiple designs and come from the house of several well-known watchmakers.
If you are someone who is planning to buy a skeleton watch or wondering where to start then you have come to the right place. I have listed the best skeleton watches available at affordable prices under different price brackets of $100, $200, and $300.
Hence, you won’t need to look for them or scroll through hundreds of product pages. The only page you need to scroll is this one.
Quick Navigation
- Best Affordable Skeleton Watch Comparison Table
- Best Cheap Skeleton Watches Under $100
- Best Skeleton Watches Under $200
- Best Skeleton Watches Under $300
- Things To Consider Before Buying A Skeleton Watch
- FAQs
Best Affordable Skeleton Watch Comparison Table
IMAGE | PRODUCT | SPECIFICATIONS | VIEW ON AMAZON |
Best Affordable Skeleton Watch Under $100  | BENYAR Automatic |
| |
Cheapest Skeleton Watch  | A ALPS |
| |
Best Budget Skeleton Watch Under $200  | Fossil Townsman Men's Watch |
| |
Best Skeleton Watch Under $300  | Stuhrling Modena 889 |
|
Best Cheap Skeleton Watches Under $100
Let’s start the list with the most affordable skeleton watches that you can get under $100.
1. SEWOR
If you think that you would need to spend hundreds of dollars to get yourself a good-looking skeleton watch then you are wrong. Take a look at this skeleton leather watch from SEWOR.
This cheap skeleton watch features a gold skeleton dial that shows the movements of all the gears of the watch in real-time. It sports a unique type of watch hand design filled with white color and has gold-colored edges. A distinct black-colored second hand along with black-colored Roman numerals on the dial gives the watch a vintage look.
Moreover, it’s a mechanical movement watch so you will have to wind the watch periodically for it to continue working. The size of the watch dial is 40mm and it is 7.8mm thick which is perfect for medium and small-sized wrists. Furthermore, it sports a 22mm leather band that complements the gold-colored dial of the watch perfectly.
The watch is available in 4 color combinations: silver dial with a black leather band, gold dial with a maroon leather band, silver dial with brown leather, and light gold dial with a maroon color band. Regardless to say that all 4 watches look amazing.
Available at less than $30, this just might be the best skeleton watch under $100. However, it is not suitable for daily use and you should only wear it at weddings, birthdays, dates, and other similar occasions.
2. A ALPS
Looking for the best affordable skeleton watch that is also durable? Then look no further as this watch from A ALPS would be perfect for that matter. Not only this is a heavy-duty watch but also a gorgeous one to look at!
This watch sports a steampunk-inspired design which means the watch takes inspiration from 19th-century steam-powered machines. Therefore just like you can observe an axle on old steam engines, you can view gears inside this watch working in full glory. The watch looks so good that you will be put into a trance and before you would realize some time would have already passed just gazing at the watch.
Just like the previous watch, this one also is a mechanical watch that needs to be manually wounded by turning the crown 15-20 times. You won’t need to rely on the lithium-ion battery, just manually wind the watch from time to time and you are good to go.
Coming to the dimensions of the watch, it sports a 41mm watch face with 12mm thickness and weighs about 3.55 ounces. Moreover, this watch can also survive occasional splashes as it is water-resistant up to 10m.
Talking about durability, it comes with a stainless steel strap that ensures the watch can go with you on some adventures. Moreover, the face of the skeleton watch can survive occasional bumps and shocks as it is protected by mineral glass. Overall, I would say this is the best skeleton watch under $100 you can buy that is reliable and also good-looking.
3. BENYAR Automatic
This watch sports a classic dress watch look that makes it perfect for occasions like weddings, meetings, etc. So if you happen to be looking for a cheap skeleton watch for similar occasions then you are in luck.
This is a perfect gentlemen’s watch as it sports a black leather strap with a gorgeous silver watch case that complements the watch’s skeleton design. The 24mm leather strap on the watch is comfortable to wear and perfect for users who like to wear the watch all day long.
As the name of the watch indicates this is an automatic mechanical watch. Unlike other mechanical watches, you won’t have to wind the watch again and again. All you have to do is wear the watch and it will automatically wind itself using your wrist movements. You just have to wind the watch once when you wear the watch for the first time and it will take care of the rest.
However, mechanical watches are not as accurate as quartz watches since the tension of the watch spring, the user’s hand movement, and other factors can affect the accuracy of this watch. CEYADG claims that the watch can either gain (34 seconds) or lose (-40 seconds) in a day. Therefore you need to set the clock on the watch every 2 to 3 days, which is a downside of this watch and all other automatic mechanical watches.
Talking about the dimensions of the watch, it comes with a 45mm watch face and a 24mm strap. The watch case is only 15mm thick so you won’t feel that watch is too bulky on your hand. Also, the face of the watch is protected by Hardlex which is better than other types of watch glasses like mineral glass found on most cheap watches under $100. So it’s quite durable as well apart from just looking beautiful.
Moreover, you can also wear the watch while washing your hands as it is water-resistant up to 30m. Additionally, the BENYAR Automatic watch also comes with a 1-year warranty for any manufacturing issues and a 60-day return for any reason. Therefore, we would say this watch would be a nice addition to your dress watch collection if you don’t mind winding it in every couple of days.
Best Skeleton Watches Under $200
Now let’s have a look at some of the best affordable skeleton watches under $200.
4. Fossil Townsman Men’s Automatic Watch
Fossil’s Townsman Skeleton Watch is a standout timepiece that lets you peek into its inner workings through a transparent dial. Also, the bold black design, coupled with a robust case and intricate detailing, exudes strength and style.
Also, this is a self-winding watch that keeps you free from the hassle of batteries ensuring it keeps ticking effortlessly. Moreover, the watch has a durable top glass that resists scratches making it one of the most rugged skeleton watches under $200. Besides that, its waterproof feature allows you to wear it during aquatic activities.
Also, it provides you the option to swap the leather band to add a personal touch. Overall, this budget skeleton watch isn’t just good-looking – it’s like a cool window into the high-tech magic that makes watches tick. It’s not just about style; it’s a fun journey into how watches work!
5. Stuhrling
Stuhrling is an American watch company that is popular for making mid-range watches. And this handsome watch is one of the many gorgeous watches available under their banner.
This top Stuhrling watch gets its handsome looks from a polished coin edge bezel design and also the dial features a guilloche pattern meaning a single pattern is repeated across the entire dial. It gets better as the watch sports a skeletonized petal watch hand design that adds elegance to the watch without compromising the view of the dial.
The 20mm watch strap is made of genuine leather and features an artificial embossed design. This design is preferred by those who have refined taste when it comes to their watches. The buckle on the strap has the Stuhrling wings logo showing the signature of the craftsman behind this watch.
Talking about the dimensions, it is 13mm thick, sports a 40mm watch face, and weighs about 13.12 ounces.
Also, the watch won’t require any battery as it comes with automatic mechanical movement. You just have to wind this watch once and simply wear it, after that it would automatically wind the watch using hand motions. Besides that, you won’t have to worry about spilling water during parties with this watch as it is water-resistant up to 50 meters.
Overall, I would say this watch has all the factors that make it the best skeleton watch for under $150. Also, it comes with 2 years warranty so your money is in safe hands.
Best Skeleton Watches Under $300
6. Bulova Men’s Modern 3-Hand Automatic Watch
The Bulova Men’s Modern Stainless Steel 3-Hand Automatic Watch is a standout choice for those seeking a combination of style and functionality. This timepiece’s craftsmanship and aesthetics are its defining features. The watch’s design is striking, with a beautiful blue dial that catches the eye, and the open aperture offers a captivating view of the inner mechanics.
The overall build quality is commendable, reflecting its attention to detail and sturdiness. Also, the automatic movement operates smoothly and quietly, contributing to the watch’s elegance. Moreover, its ability to keep excellent time is a significant plus.
Also, I like the fact that the watch is water resistant up to 30 meters which ensures that accidental splashes or brief immersion won’t damage the watch. However, it’s important to note that this see-through watch, despite being water-resistant, might not be suitable for deep water activities like swimming or diving.
In conclusion, the Bulova men’s watch is a remarkable choice for its impressive design, reliable timekeeping, and robust construction. It’s an excellent choice for those who want style and quality in a skeleton watch under $300.
7. Stuhrling Modena 889
To finish it up I have selected the Modena 889 Automatic skeleton watch from Stuhrling. If you don’t want to spend thousands of dollars on a Tissot skeleton watch then you can go with this midrange skeleton watch under $300 from Stuhrling. This watch sports a premium look and would definitely turn some heads around.
Coming on to the watch’s good looks, first and foremost it comes with a stylish and unique onion crown design found at the top of the watch. Furthermore, the watch features a 22mm alligator embossed leather strap along with a 46 mm rose gold case that exemplifies the beauty of this timepiece. This watch features an exhibition case back with Krysterna crystal that allows you to see the inner movement of the watch.
We found this rose gold color with a brown strap to be most appealing. However, the watch is available in 9 gorgeous and unique color combinations and you can pick one that suits you the most.
Moreover, it is an automatic self-winding mechanical watch so as long you wear the watch you won’t need to wind it up again and again. Besides that, it also features the ability to set the dual timezone and also features a separate sub-dial for the am/pm indicator.
To conclude, we would say this is the best mid-range skeleton watch from a well-reputed brand like Stuhrling. Not only does the watch have good looks but also sports several unique features like dual time zone, am/pm dial, onion crown design, and so on.
Things To Consider Before Buying A Skeleton Watch
1. Mechanical Or Automatic watch
Not all skeleton watches are the same, some sports mechanical movement while others use automatic mechanical movements. In mechanical skeleton watches, you have to periodically and manually wind the watch. To save yourself from the mundane task of winding the watch every once in a while you can rather go for the automatic mechanical watches.
These types of watches need to be wind only once before wearing on your wrist after that they can wind themselves automatically using the user’s wrist movement. However, these watches are not very accurate so you can choose the watch accordingly.
2. Waterproof
If you plan to wear the watch 24×7 then it’s important to go with a water-resistant watch. Because water, sweat, and moisture can harm non-waterproof watches in the long run.
However, if you are looking for a dress watch that you are not going to wear all the time then it’s not necessary to get a waterproof watch.
3. Price
Skeleton watches can cost as low as $25 and can go as high as thousands of dollars! Therefore select a watch very carefully based on your budget and requirements.
FAQs
What Is A Skeleton Watch?
Skeleton watch is a type of watch that features a see-through window or cut out on the watch dial. It allows users to see the inner movement of the watch gears in real-time.
Why Are Skeleton Watches Expensive?
It’s not true that skeleton watches are only available at high prices. In fact, you can find several good-looking and reliable skeleton watches at affordable prices that too from brands like Fossil, Stuhrling, SEWOR, and more.
Are Skeleton Watches Fashionable?
Yes, in fact, they are considered to be one of the best dress watches you can buy. That's why you can find skeleton watches from well-known brands like Tissot, Stuhrling, etc.
