Skeleton watches have a certain charm to them. They show the beauty, elegance, and complications of their interior movements.
Design-wise, watchmakers can choose which parts of the movements they could show, adding variety to skeleton watches. Through this, they become not just timepieces but also pieces of art.
This list consists of the best skeleton watches under $500 for men, tailored to make your buying efforts a little easier and simpler. They include multiple watches with unique styles that fit people’s different tastes. These are all bestselling models chosen from hundreds of customer feedback, watch blogs, and reviews, so you can rest assured that these are all highly rated.
Stuhrling Original Men’s 371.01 Legacy Automatic Watch
Pros:
- An elegant and luxurious look
- Attractive, seeks attention, and dress-worthy
- Stylistic dial and hands
- Water resistance of 50m
Cons:
- May be too big for some users
- The leather band may initially be a bit stiff
A relatively young yet robust company, Stuhrling offers a unique and charming skeleton watch in the form of the 371.01 Legacy Watch. It immediately impresses with its looks and is easily noticeable.
The design of the 371.01 Legacy is eye-catching. It demands attention and shows off its elegance through its four windows. The color scheme is silver for the dial, and the stainless steel case with blue for the watch hands exudes luxury and vibrancy, t. A brown leather strap finishes the look and completes the timepiece set.
A reliable 22-jewel automatic movement powers the watch. For the dial, a durable and relatively sturdy Krysterna crystal protects the timepiece as it shows off its interiors. These crystals are used on the front and back side of the timepieces, emphasizing the beauty of the skeleton watch.
Features:
| Stuhrling Original Men’s 371.01 Legacy Automatic Watch | |
| Case Diameter | 46mm |
| Case Thickness | 15mm |
| Dial | Krysterna Crystal |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Band Material | Leather |
| Band Width | 24mm |
| Movement | 22-jewel Automatic |
| Caliber | ST-91011 |
| Bezel Function | Stationary |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
| Clasp | Buckle |
Is it for you?
If you want an attention-seeking timepiece that is unique yet elegant at the same time, then the Stuhrling Original Men’s 371.01 Legacy is perfect for you. It is a dress watch that can complete a style you’re going into. The watch fits formal and semi-formal occasions with its design and tones.
It is also quite a large watch, so anyone who prefers this type or those with larger wrists may find this very fitting. Its features also fit its price tag, which is priced in the middle range for watches.
Stuhrling Original Delphi 730.02 Men’s Automatic Watch
Pros:
- A simple and luxurious looking timepiece
- Dress-worthy and perfect for formal events
- Overall look is complementary and fits most outfit choices
- Water resistance of 50m gives it some durability
Cons:
- Contrast may not be sharp enough to distinguish the time and markers
- For those who are sensitive to sound, it might be a bit noisy
Another offering from Stuhrling is the Delphi 730.02. This is another excellent skeleton watch from the brand. This particular timepiece is a more organized design with clear time markers and the skeleton shown at a concentrated opening in the middle.
For its design, the Delphi 730.02 features a stainless steel case, rose-toned hands, and markers for the time. The band is made out of leather as well and is brown-toned. Overall, it provides a simpler style compared to the 371.01 Legacy and is more formal in its looks. It is organized and is easy to read.
The ST-90050 caliber, a 20-jewel automatic movement, powers the Delphi 730.02. It gives the timepiece a relatively reliable movement for timekeeping. The outer minute dial has 24-hour markers for showing military time. Krysterna Crystal protects it for a sturdier watch.
Features:
| Stuhrling Original Delphi 730.02 Men’s Automatic Watch | |
| Case Diameter | 42mm |
| Case Thickness | 13.5mm |
| Dial | Krysterna Crystal |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Band Material | Leather |
| Band Width | 22mm |
| Movement | 20-jewel Automatic |
| Caliber | ST-90050 |
| Bezel Function | Stationary |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
| Clasp | Buckle |
Is it for you?
If you aim for a simple yet classy-looking skeleton watch, the Stuhrling Original Delphi 730.02 is an excellent choice. With an overall pleasant, complementary, and elegant look, this timepiece attracts ample attention to its unique details and features.
It provides a fresher, earthier color scheme that shies away from the usual blue, black, and silver tones. It is an excellent combination of brown, black, and silver. As a dress watch, it is perfect for formal and semi-formal gatherings.
Invicta Men’s 1088 Russian Diver Skeleton Watch
Pros:
- A rugged yet also classy timepiece
- Dress-worthy and perfect for informal and outdoor events
- Simple color tones make it generally easy to match with most outfits
- Water resistance of 50m provides a level of protection
Cons:
- May be a bit too big for others
- Some find its size and fitting uncomfortable
- The crown sticks out too far
An offering from Invicta, the 1088 Russian Diver’s Watch is an example of a rugged and stylish skeleton watch. It is well-designed and takes the form of an athletic timepiece, which can also be used on daily travels or informal events. Its design is also very aesthetically unique, effectively making it an eye-catching watch.
The design of the 1088 Russian Diver Skeleton Watch follows two tones for its overall looks. The black tones, featured on the watch’s band and located at the dial markers and hands, create stark contrasts that make time easier to check. The stainless steel case and its metallic interiors finish the complementing looks.
The 1088 Russian Diver Skeleton Watch is powered by 10-jewel Sea Gull 3600K for its movement. It is a reliable caliber that runs accurately and can match Swiss-made standards. A durable synthetic sapphire crystal protects the dial and the skeleton of the timepiece.
Features:
| Invicta Men’s 1088 Russian Diver Skeleton Watch | |
| Case Diameter | 52mm |
| Case Thickness | 16mm |
| Dial | Synthetic Sapphire crystal |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Band Material | Polyurethane |
| Band Width | 26mm |
| Movement | 10-jewel Automatic |
| Caliber | Sea Gull 3600K |
| Bezel Function | Stationary |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
| Clasp | Buckle |
Is it for you?
If you’re into the rugged looks of a timepiece and want a simple color scheme for a skeleton watch, the Invicta 1088 Russian Diver’s Skeleton Watch is a great choice. Mixing the complexities of the interior of the timepiece and the simplicity of its design makes the watch unique and interesting. It fits most outdoor activities and informal events, making it a great go-to watch.
Fossil Men’s ME3041 Townsman Automatic Skeleton Watch
Pros:
- An elegant and bare timepiece
- Dress-worthy and perfect for semi-formal to formal events
- Simple design and color tones make it easy to pair on clothes
- The emptiness of the dial gives a very interesting design cue
Cons:
- Resetting time may be inconvenient for some users
- The empty parts of the dial are a little hard to clean and dirt may accumulate
An actual skeleton through its looks, Fossil’s ME3041 Townsman is a fine and sophisticated timepiece to look at and wear. It builds up its looks on its deconstructed form and bares its interior works to create a beautiful and eye-catching design.
The look and feel of the ME3041 Townsman are very classy and bare. It hides nothing and emphasizes its interiors through its mineral dial window. It has slight color tone variations, with silver for the stainless steel, rose pink for its hands, and black for its leather band, all coming together for a complementary look. The emptiness of the dial’s sides is filled with markers for the time.
Featuring a 20-jewel movement, it provides a reliable automatic movement that is also seen through its internal design. This transparency is made possible by the protection and cover of a mineral crystal. Its bezel is stationary without any design, further emphasizing the beauty of the timepiece’s skeleton.
Features:
| Fossil Men’s ME3041 Townsman Automatic Skeleton Watch | |
| Case Diameter | 44mm |
| Case Thickness | 12mm |
| Dial | Mineral crystal |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Band Material | Leather |
| Band Width | 22mm |
| Movement | 20-jewels |
| Caliber | Mechanical Automatic |
| Bezel Function | Stationary |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
| Clasp | Buckle |
Is it for you?
If you opt for a bare yet elegant-looking skeleton watch to bring to critical social affairs or semi-formal events, then the Fossil ME3041 Townsman Skeleton Watch is for you. It features a transparent design and a silver tone, giving attention to its dial. This bareness, coupled with the complex interiors, make it an eye-catching, more interesting timepiece to use.
Bulova Men’s 96A135 BVA Series 120 Automatic Watch
Pros:
- A classy and sophisticated timepiece
- Excellent for any occasion, informal or formal
- Simple color tones make it dress-worthy and fitting of any style
Cons:
- Leather band may be stiff at first
- The design may be a bit too simple or too old-style for some
An elegant and sophisticated skeleton watch, Bulova’s 96A135 BVA Series 120 is a classy timepiece that exudes an air of royalty with its design and color scheme. This timepiece shows its interiors with an open heart in the middle to allow transparency while retaining a level of design for the dial.
The overall look of the 96A135 BVA is heavily influenced by the dial, with black and silver tones in different areas. A stainless steel case and a black leather strap complete the timepiece. This is a watch that is perfect for casual to formal events. It is also relatively easy to pair up with. As it sports neutral colors, it can fit any style you may have.
The movement for the timepiece is at 21-jewel mechanical automatic, which is relatively reliable. The dial is protected by a mineral crystal, giving it some resistance against scratches. The bezel is stationary and adds character by giving focus to the dial.
Features:
| Bulova Men’s 96A135 BVA Series 120 Automatic Watch | |
| Case Diameter | 41mm |
| Case Thickness | 12mm |
| Dial | Mineral crystal |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Band Material | Leather |
| Band Width | 22mm |
| Movement | 21-jewels |
| Caliber | Mechanical Automatic |
| Bezel Function | Stationary |
| Water Resistance | 30 meters |
| Clasp | Deployment clasp |
Is it for you?
The look and design of the Bulova 96A135 BVA Series 120 are essentially classy and elegant, bringing a sense of style to any clothing you wish to wear. This timepiece is excellent for you if you like that flexibility and feel. Because of its color tones and simple dial design, it fits most style options and is rarely hard to pair up with.
Seiko SSA231K1 Automatic Watch
Pros:
- A classy and simple watch design
- Excellent for everyday wear
- White, silver, and brown make complementary colors fitting most clothing
- Reliable movement and caliber from Seiko
- The classic style of the timepiece exudes elegance
Cons:
- Leather band may be stiff when first used
A simple yet classy timepiece, the Seiko SSA231K1 is an everyday timepiece. It can be bought on a lot of daily trips. Its charm lies in this simplicity that makes it easy to match regular clothing. A skeleton watch that exudes a simple look is an attractive and complementing accessory. Please note that it’s an open-heart timepiece. It just shows a tiny part of the movement inside.
This watch’s design and overall look lie in its essence as a classy and simple timepiece. This character is expressed through the silver case and white dial, perfectly matching the brown leather strap accompanying it. The Roman numerals combined with the white tone of the dial give it a classic look and an air of elegance. Together, they make a combination that harmonizes with most style options.
The Seiko SSA231K1 has a 24-jewel movement from the 4R39 caliber, ensuring reliable and accurate timekeeping. The dial is protected with a Hardlex crystal, durable against scratches. The bezel, it is stationary, a fitting choice that lets the user focus more on the overall look and the dial instead.
Features:
| Seiko SSA231K1 Automatic Watch | |
| Case Diameter | 41mm |
| Case Thickness | 13mm |
| Dial | Hardlex |
| Bezel Material | Stainless steel |
| Band Material | Leather |
| Band Width | 20mm |
| Movement | 24-jewels |
| Caliber | 4R39 |
| Bezel Function | Stationary |
| Water Resistance | 50 meters |
| Clasp | Buckle |
Is it for you?
If you want an everyday watch that you can bring anytime and on any occasion, this is the perfect timepiece. The Seiko SSA231K1 Automatic Watch is a simple, classy timepiece that complements everyday clothing.
It can be brought on any occasion as it has neutral colors, so any style or color you prefer would be matched effortlessly.
How to choose a good skeleton watch that won’t break your bank?
Skeleton watches for men have taken style to the whole new level. This kind of wristbands focus only on the essential parts and reveal them through the front section.
Gears, bridges, wheel perform, nothing is hidden from the owners!
A good skeleton watch can cost a fortune depending on the design and features. However, there are ways to pick a good one without breaking your bank!
Here is the secret.
Features
Features are the first and foremost element you should look at when you want to buy a good skeleton that won’t break your bank. Why? By selecting carefully which features you need and which you don’t, you can save a bit of money.
Most skeleton watches will include automatic movement, compass or chronometer. Some will even have advanced functions such as night-vision, distance measuring and more.
Style
Skeleton watches are divided into different forms. Each is suitable for different financial condition and social occasions.
Here are what you need to know when it comes to styles.
- Size: Skeleton watches come with different sizes. Remember that size could make a significant difference in your overall look. Your task is to find a watch with a suitable size.
- Shape: Again, skeleton watches offer different shapes, such as round, oval or rectangular. Use the form that speaks your personality.
- Material: The most affordable and durable material is metal, for example, stainless steel or titanium.
- Color: The idea that men should only choose black watches is out of date. There are more cool colors to choose from nowadays!
- Strap: I would recommend mental straps for skeleton watches.
Budget
This is the last warning. Skeleton watches could be expensive. Therefore, it is always better to have a fixed budget in mind before shopping.
Having a fixed budget helps you navigate your search easier. Take Amazon for example. You can find skeleton watches as cheap as $15 and some as expensive as $10.000. How could you narrow down the list if you don’t start with your price?
So start with a price you can afford. Maybe if you stumble upon a model that is a less wallet-friendly, you will be able to restrain yourself.
Verdict
These affordable skeleton watches are the best for the buck. They are not expensive that only a few would be able to afford them, and also not cheap so that the quality and its craftsmanship might suffer. You can also count on them that they are from trusted brands, ensuring that you can wear them with confidence that whatever you choose here is surely a well thought up choice without the need to overspend.
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