The 10 Best Gold Skeleton Dial Watches at European Watch Company

Who doesn’t love a watch with a skeletonized dial? Being able to see the inner workings of a watch’s movement dial-side instantly makes it a conversation piece. And what’s better than your typical openworked watch? Well, an openworked watch with a gold case. In this guide, we thought we would take a look at 10 of our favorite gold watches with skeletonized dials.

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Skeleton Ref. 4300V/120R-B642

Price: $170,000-$180,000, Case Size: 41.5mm, Thickness: 8.1mm, Lug-to-Lug: N/A, Lug Width: N/A, Water Resistance: 50M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Rose Gold

The Vacheron Constantin Overseas is probably best known for being a (non-Genta designed) alternative to the Patek Philippe Nautilus and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. But it really stands on its own, especially when you get into complications. One of our favorites is the Ref. 4300V/120R-B642. This piece not only has a perpetual calendar complication, but the dial is completely openworked. Mixed with a rose gold case and bracelet, this gives the watch a decidedly modern look. And we love it. 

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton 8-Day Ref. 103667

Price: $38,000-$43,000, Case Size: 40mm, Thickness: 5.9mm, Lug-to-Lug: 46mm, Lug Width: N/A, Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manually Wound, Material: Rose Gold

A modern icon, Bulgari really turned some heads when they first released the Octo Finissimo in 2014. And the Octo Finissimo Ref. 103667 is a beautifully executed skeletonized take on the collection. The watch’s dial is completely openworked, but also incredibly legible. This is because the bridges have been PVD-coated. Oftentimes, skeletonized watches are hard to read. But you won’t have any problem with the Octo Finissimo Ref. 103667. Coming in rose gold and with an 8-day power reserve, it really is hard to beat. 

Patek Philippe Minute Repeater Tourbillon Ref. 5303R

Price: $1,290,000-$1,300,000, Case Size: 42mm, Thickness: 13.12mm, Lug-to-Lug: N.A., Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: None, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manual Winding, Material: Rose Gold

Patek Philippe doesn’t often wade into skeletonized dial watches, but when they do you can be assured that it will be something truly special. And this is definitely the case with the Ref. 5303R. The watch not only features a tourbillon, but a minute repeater complication as well. If the complications weren’t enough, Patek Philippe beautifully combines steel and gold bridges and components to create one of the most visually interesting skeletonized dials we have ever seen. Truly a grail piece from a grail brand.  

Read our full review of the Patek Philippe 5303R Minute Repeater Tourbillon here.

Patek Philippe Ultra-Thin Skeleton Ref. 5180/1R

Price: $70,000-$80,000, Case Size: 39mm, Thickness: 6.9mm, Lug-to-Lug: 45.8mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Rose Gold

Yes, we said that Patek Philippe doesn’t make many skeletonized watches. But we had to include the Ref. 5180/1R on our list as well (as perhaps, a more accessible option from the brand). The Ref. 5180/1R is a lot more traditional in its design, including in the beautiful decoration of the movement’s components. Skeletonized dial watches tend to look a little more modern, so the traditional aesthetic of the 5180/1R really stands out. 

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked Perpetual Calendar Ref. 25636BA.0.0344BA.01

Price: $195,000-$205,000, Case Size: 39mm, Thickness: 9mm, Lug-to-Lug: N.A., Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: 20M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Yellow Gold

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is one of the most iconic watches around and their openworked perpetual calendars are in a class of their own. The Ref. 25636BA is a prime example of this. Like the Overseas featured earlier, the watch is a perpetual calendar, but instead of a rose gold case, this Royal Oak gets the classic yellow gold treatment. On top of everything, this watch is a first series, making it even more rare and special. A skeletonized dial with perpetual calendar complication, all packaged in a Royal Oak case. What more could you ask for?

Omega Seamaster Diver Skeleton 50th Anniversary Ref. 2931.80.00

Price: $45,000-$50,000, Case Size: 41.5mm, Thickness: 13.9mm, Lug-to-Lug: 53mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Water Resistance: 300M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Yellow Gold

Besides the Rolex Submariner, the Omega Seamaster might be the most popular dive watch currently on the market. And I don’t expect we’ll see a skeletonized Submariner any time soon. And so an openworked Seamaster is the next best thing. All kidding aside, this watch is really special. Created for the 50th anniversary of the Seamaster, it features an extensively decorated skeletonized caliber 2400 movement. And with a yellow gold case, you might not expect it to join you on your dives, but it is still packed with 300 meters of water resistance.

Cartier Crash Skeleton Ref. WHCH0006

Price: $245,000-$55,000, Case Size: 21.2mm, Thickness: 9.62mm, Lug-to-Lug: 38.5mm, Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manual Winding, Material: Rose Gold

We admit, the Cartier Crash is having quite the moment right now. And not just the re-iusse of the original. Every variation of the Crash seems to be a hit. And the rose gold iteration with skeletonized dial is no exception. This piece features the iconic asymmetrical case with the Roman numeral hour markers acting as bridges for the movement. If we had to pick a Crash to add to our collection, this just might be the one.

Cartier Privee Collection Tank Asymetrique Skeleton Ref. WHTA0011

Price: $65,000-$75,000, Case Size: 26.2, Thickness: 9.2mm, Lug-to-Lug: 47.15mm, Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manual Winding, Material: Rose Gold

Cartier is king of asymmetrical watches, so why not include another on our list. The Tank Asymetrique is a unique take on Cartier’s iconic Tank watch. Interestingly, in this piece, 12 o’clock is off-centered to the right of where you expect it to be. You might have to turn your head a little to tell the time, but its definitely worth it on this stunning piece.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph Ref. Q389257J

Price: $36,000-$40,000, Case Size: 29.9mm, Thickness: 11.14mm, Lug-to-Lug: 45.6mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manual Winding, Material: Rose Gold

Is a watch considered a skeleton dial watch if only one of the two dials are skeletonized? We would argue yes, and so we included the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Chronograph in rose gold on this list. While the main dial has a classic black sunray finish, flip the watch over and you are greeted with a skeletonized dial featuring the chronograph function (and the time of course). This watch is the perfect combination of subtlety on side and conversation started on the other.

For more, check out our 31 favorite skeleton dial watches.