The Rolex Forums   The Rolex Watch

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Old 13 January 2020, 09:23 AM   #1
calh22a
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 802
Openwork watch recommendations

Wanted to add an openwork watch to the collection. There’s something mesmerizing to me about looking at the working mechanical movement. Budget $20k or less. All suggestions welcomed. Anyone with an openwork in their collection they really like? Pics greatly appreciated.
calh22a is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 January 2020, 09:27 AM   #2
locutus49
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2014
Real Name: John
Location: La Jolla, CA
Watch: Platona
Posts: 12,194
At that price I don't know. Try googling on skeletonized watches and see what pops up.
locutus49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 January 2020, 09:28 AM   #3
texasmade
"TRF" Member
 
texasmade's Avatar
 
Join Date: Feb 2017
Real Name: Robert
Location: Lone Star State
Watch: AP RO 15400, FOIS
Posts: 2,384
Maybe a used Cartier?
texasmade is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 January 2020, 09:38 AM   #4
_speedmaster_
"TRF" Member
 
_speedmaster_'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Earth
Posts: 2,443
Highly recommend the Breguet Tradition line. Impeccably finished, a modern icon and you can see the entire transfer of power from the mainspring to the wheel train to the escapement.

__________________
Blancpain | Chopard LUC | Grand Seiko/King Seiko | Grönefeld | Laurent Ferrier | Moritz Grossmann | Omega | Trilobe | Urban Jürgensen


instagram.com/ct_watch_guy
_speedmaster_ is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26 January 2020, 06:08 PM   #5
Justindo
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2017
Location: California
Posts: 2,176
Quote:
Originally Posted by _speedmaster_ View Post
Highly recommend the Breguet Tradition line. Impeccably finished, a modern icon and you can see the entire transfer of power from the mainspring to the wheel train to the escapement.

This.
Justindo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 January 2020, 10:00 AM   #6
Russell996
2024 Pledge Member
 
Russell996's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: UK
Posts: 4,271
Not within budget but worth stretching for. First use of silicon in any watch, carousel tourbillon and a Freak!




Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Russell996 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 January 2020, 10:42 AM   #7
benlee
"TRF" Member
 
benlee's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2012
Real Name: Ben
Location: SIN & JKT
Watch: Rolex, AP, PP
Posts: 9,874
Maybe this? Have not seen it irl but it appears to be well rated.

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/oris...-x-calibre-115

Alternatively, a Zenith Defy chronograph which is also open-dial. I got one.


__________________
Follow me on Instagram : benlee789
benlee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 January 2020, 12:55 PM   #8
RTG
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
RTG's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2018
Location: USA
Watch: YM42 Ti
Posts: 2,645
Quote:
Originally Posted by benlee View Post
Maybe this? Have not seen it irl but it appears to be well rated.

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/oris...-x-calibre-115

Alternatively, a Zenith Defy chronograph which is also open-dial. I got one.


This blue Defy 21 is stunning in person. Great depth and clarity that isn’t captured in pictures.
__________________
Official Member "WIS-CON" Las Vegas International GTG 2019
RTG is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 04:07 PM   #9
teflonchest
"TRF" Member
 
teflonchest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 56
Openwork watch recommendations

Quote:
Originally Posted by benlee View Post
Maybe this? Have not seen it irl but it appears to be well rated.

https://www.wired.co.uk/article/oris...-x-calibre-115

]

Also this. Those who dare to wear oris exude class
teflonchest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13 January 2020, 04:42 PM   #10
Ny325
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2019
Location: Traffic
Watch: DW-5600BB
Posts: 2,890
Ahhhh, not for me.
Ny325 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 12:55 AM   #11
ap1
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: usa
Posts: 19,537
Cartier santos, the blacked out version
ap1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 02:18 AM   #12
PJ S
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 3,990
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton (Blue LE version), and add the titanium bracelet to give option between it and the blue leather strap.

Girard Perregaux Laureato in full ceramic (likely to require a budget stretch) or stainless, if preferred.
G-P Neo Bridges

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda

Jacquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet One or Franck Muller Vanguard Skeleton 7 Day or Yachting Anchor (possibly over budget like the G-P).

A real fond favourite of mine though, is the Arnold & Son Nebula.
PJ S is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 02:23 AM   #13
locutus49
Banned
 
Join Date: May 2014
Real Name: John
Location: La Jolla, CA
Watch: Platona
Posts: 12,194
GP Laureato is a great watch and very close to high horology. That would be a good choice.

Quote:
Originally Posted by PJ S View Post
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Skeleton (Blue LE version), and add the titanium bracelet to give option between it and the blue leather strap.

Girard Perregaux Laureato in full ceramic (likely to require a budget stretch) or stainless, if preferred.
G-P Neo Bridges

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda
locutus49 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 15 January 2020, 01:29 AM   #14
PJ S
Banned
 
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: UK
Posts: 3,990
Quote:
Originally Posted by locutus49 View Post
GP Laureato is a great watch and very close to high horology. That would be a good choice.
To be fair, all the ones I mentioned are fully in the realm of haute horlogerie.
PJ S is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 03:15 AM   #15
calh22a
Banned
 
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: California
Posts: 802
Thanks for all the great suggestions. Have definitely opened up some options for me. Can also stretch the budget. Was thinking $20 was a comfortable start but willing to spend more for the right piece
calh22a is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 03:57 AM   #16
DoxaDavid
"TRF" Member
 
DoxaDavid's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2008
Real Name: David
Location: Minneapolis, Mn
Posts: 3,271
Depending on what your goals are for having an open work/skeleton face watch, one doesn't have to spend a lot of money to add one.

Like you, I like the look of an openwork watch and always thought one day I would find one to add to the herd.

A few summers ago, I found myself at a large art fair in AZ and met a retired watchmaker. He had spent over 30 years working for several AD's and had his own shop for awhile. Over that time, amassed a ton of parts and movements.

He decided to resurrect some of the interesting movements and create art pieces as a hobby. He had a lot of different watch related art from necklaces, to rings and sculptures.

One of his favorite things was to take a pocket watch movements and add them to wristwatch cases or modify the existing case so it could be worn as a wristwatch. Many had the original faces of the pocket watch and there were all sorts of different sizes and shapes.

This one caught my eye. It has a nicely finished movement in an openwork with a display case back. I really liked the Panerai Luminor styled case which gave it a modern look. Not all his pieces were vintage as was the case with this one. Some, he just made because he liked the look. I don't recollect which movement this one is but I liked the simplicity and can actually read the time on it. lol

It was not expensive and a fun addition.

Good luck with your search.





__________________
DOXA-AFICIONADO

"It has been my experience that folks who have no vices have very few virtues. " Abraham Lincoln 1809-1865
DoxaDavid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 07:17 PM   #17
Rogdogg
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Rogdogg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 6,124
That's very cool
__________________
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
Rogdogg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 07:18 PM   #18
Rogdogg
2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member
 
Rogdogg's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2012
Location: Bangkok
Posts: 6,124
[QUOTE=DoxaDavid;10286833]Depending on what your goals are for having an open work/skeleton face watch, one doesn't have to spend a lot of money to add one.

Like you, I like the look of an openwork watch and always thought one day I would find one to add to the herd.

A few summers ago, I found myself at a large art fair in AZ and met a retired watchmaker. He had spent over 30 years working for several AD's and had his own shop for awhile. Over that time, amassed a ton of parts and movements.

He decided to resurrect some of the interesting movements and create art pieces as a hobby. He had a lot of different watch related art from necklaces, to rings and sculptures.

One of his favorite things was to take a pocket watch movements and add them to wristwatch cases or modify the existing case so it could be worn as a wristwatch. Many had the original faces of the pocket watch and there were all sorts of different sizes and shapes.

This one caught my eye. It has a nicely finished movement in an openwork with a display case back. I really liked the Panerai Luminor styled case which gave it a modern look. Not all his pieces were vintage as was the case with this one. Some, he just made because he liked the look. I don't recollect which movement this one is but I liked the simplicity and can actually read the time on it. lol

It was not expensive and a fun addition.

Good luck with your search.


Sorry, I mean this is very cool!
__________________
Nil Satis Nisi Optimum
Rogdogg is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 01:50 PM   #19
nicky77
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Chicago
Posts: 225
The Ulysse Nardin Freak X also seems cool.
nicky77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 02:03 PM   #20
Slider817
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2011
Real Name: William
Location: New York
Watch: Journe, AP & Lange
Posts: 868
Cool Panerai clone, not a huge fan of skeleton watches, just find it hard to read the time. I quite enjoy the aesthetics.

I really like the AP Millenary, very cool watch. As said previously, Breuer makes a great watch in their La tradition line as well.
Slider817 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 04:03 PM   #21
teflonchest
"TRF" Member
 
teflonchest's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Bay Area
Posts: 56
Raymond weil Maestro. You might need to check about the waiting list. Get on either julianas or macys whichever list is shorter

Name:  IMG_1265.JPG
Views: 250
Size:  47.6 KB
teflonchest is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 04:11 PM   #22
watchucallit
"TRF" Member
 
watchucallit's Avatar
 
Join Date: Nov 2014
Location: San Fran
Posts: 2,218
At the stated price point, I like the Zenith Benlee pointed out
watchucallit is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 07:00 PM   #23
ansharma
"TRF" Member
 
ansharma's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: UK
Watch: Lange 1 Moonphase
Posts: 1,916
I just got my AP Millenary 4101 and absolutely love it. Stunning piece in all respects and wears a lot smaller like a 40mm Rolex. The large size lets you appreciate the movement and the very best finishing as expected from AP.

Very easily in your budget with plenty to spare in steel, you could even get the rose gold one which is equally spectacular.

Some pics of mine...










Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
ansharma is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 07:13 PM   #24
Krant
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: EU
Posts: 63
Ulysse Nardin Skeleton X also great choice.




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Krant is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 08:18 PM   #25
mspeed76
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: United States
Watch: AP, RM
Posts: 613
cartier santos noctambule
mspeed76 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 14 January 2020, 08:57 PM   #26
nicky77
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: Chicago
Posts: 225
The Arnold & Son Time Pyramid is an interesting one as is the Arnold & Son Nebula
nicky77 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23 January 2020, 06:46 AM   #27
Reign
"TRF" Member
 
Join Date: Oct 2018
Location: USA
Posts: 1,206
I love openwork watches and got this Santos in 2019 which is a killer one.

Have been trying to add an AP and have also gotten insanely close to get the Bulgari Octo openwork in black ceramic as well

Reign is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump

Wrist Aficionado

My Watch LLC

WatchesOff5th

DavidSW Watches

Takuya Watches

OCWatches


*Banners Of The Month*
This space is provided to horological resources.





Copyright ©2004-2024, The Rolex Forums. All Rights Reserved.

ROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEXROLEX

Rolex is a registered trademark of ROLEX USA. The Rolex Forums is not affiliated with ROLEX USA in any way.