Skeleton watch for £150?

RastaManBob

RastaManBob

RastaManBob

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Joined
30 Dec 2003
Posts
2,254
Hi,

I've still yet to buy a new watch (I've made threads in the past for recommendations; I'm still "owed" a watch for my 21st birthday)... Originally I loved the idea of a skeleton and I still do now, so I guess that's a good place to start...

Can anybody recommend where I'd be able to get a nice skeleton watch for around £150? I'm aware this wont get me "a lot" (Compared to those on here that can watches far in excess of this budget!) however I'm just wondering quite how good I can get for this money.

At the moment I think the best bet is this Swatch Irony Body & Soul... At only £105 for a swiss (I think?) this seems good... Anything better with a max budget of £150?

Cheers :).
 
Im like you, ive been owed a watch for well over a year. Been looking for something interesting. I have found however that a Skeleton watch thats any good is usually well over £150. Cheaper ones are either fake Skeleton, or sho you a small piece of the workings.
 
I have a Swatch Irony Body & Soul and while its a great watch its absolutely TINY. This is in comparison obviously to my Tag Heuer Carrera, but once I started wearing a "proper" sized watch I just couldn't go back to the Swatch. I assume you will try it on before buying but just thought I would chime in :)
 
Here's one I made earlier. Hand wound skeleton based around a seagull 6498. 44mm pilot case.


pillowheadon.jpg


headonlight.jpg


backlightz.jpg
 
I dont know if you are interested, but theres a nice (Rotery) Skeleton watch in the Argos Catalogue, £69.99
 
Stop it! It makes me want to buy another one Skidder, it's very cool, what is it? I just bought a watch which has it's mechanism partially exposed on the front and all exposed on the back;


Mine's a slightly different model to those.

It's beautiful.
 
AdamSee said:
Stop it! It makes me want to buy another one Skidder, it's very cool, what is it? I just bought a watch which has it's mechanism partially exposed on the front and all exposed on the back;


Mine's a slightly different model to those.

It's beautiful.
Click to expand...

RastaManBob said:
Stunning!

Obviously well over the £150, but out of interest, how much? Really tidy! :)
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Thanks guys. Actually while the movements are stunning they're based on a tried and tested workhorse that's been around since the turn of the last century so they're not that expensive. Depending on spec of hands, strap and case I can make these for around £150 in parts. Obviously not counting my time.
 
n1blo said:
How did you learn to assemble it first time??
Youtube?

That's awesome, I want to make one now! :o
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Just a lot of reading on line. I've built about 8 or so watches now, some autos and some hand winding. Also made my own brass dial on one. Just completing a new project with a wood veneer dial. Bit different but not sure how it will look yet.

You need some tools, steady hands and most importantly to do your homework as to what parts work with each other.
 
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Skidder said:
Just a lot of reading on line. I've built about 8 or so watches now, some autos and some hand winding. Also made my own brass dial on one. Just completing a new project with a wood veneer dial. Bit different but not sure how it will look yet.

You need some tools, steady hands and most importantly to do your homework as to what parts work with each other.
Click to expand...

So this is only a hobby? I always got the feeling you built watches more of a "day job".

If you have to quantify how much it costs for the "time" of making one, what number would you put on it?

Don't s'pose you've considered actually making watches for sale at any point before? Certainly, the one above looks beautiful!
 
RastaManBob said:
So this is only a hobby? I always got the feeling you built watches more of a "day job".

If you have to quantify how much it costs for the "time" of making one, what number would you put on it?

Don't s'pose you've considered actually making watches for sale at any point before? Certainly, the one above looks beautiful!
Click to expand...

It's definitely a hobby but I have made a couple of watches for other people who liked some of mine and have played with the idea of selling them.

I don't want to cross any lines by looking like I'm touting for business innapropriately (my real business is leisure eal estate consulting if anyone wants a theme park feasibility study ;)), so email in trust if you like:)
 
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