4 Seiko Skeleton Watch Recommendations by Gnomon Watches

Seiko is one of the renowned Japanese watch brands with a history dating back to 1882. To this day, the brand still consistently crafts countless timepieces for every occasion. While Seiko is primarily known for its quartz watches, it has other impeccable creations that stay true to its brand’s identity. One such creation is the Seiko skeleton watches.

Started as a clock shop in Ginza, the first wristwatch registered under the brand Seiko finally launched in 1924. As a Japanese watchmaker, Seiko solidifies its place in the watchmaking industry by keeping innovation as its core motive. Since its beginning, Seiko consistently released varying collections, including the first releases in the 1950s to 1960s: Seiko Marvel, the Seiko Gyro Marvel, and Grand Seiko.

A Seiko skeleton watch, however, is not often heard of. Though it’s a rare occasion for the brand to release timepieces with skeleton dials, some of the released ones feature intriguing specifications to inspect. Before deciding on your Seiko skeleton watch, let’s dive into the brief information about a skeleton watch and every Seiko brand below!

What Is a Skeleton Watch?

A skeleton watch is a timekeeping device with a reduced dial that exposes the inner mechanism. In other words, a skeleton design intentionally leaves out certain parts, which results in a seemingly incomplete dial. Essentially, a skeletonized dial reduces certain components until the crucial parts are left. The gaps allow the wearer to see through the inner machinery.

Skeleton watches naturally have eye-catching designs that elevate the intricacy of the inner timekeeping device. Crafting a skeleton watch requires impressive attention to detail and precision engineering. The exposed movement should be able to operate properly.

In addition to impeccable craftsmanship, skeleton watches usually utilize premium materials. Combined with prestigious craftsmanship, a skeleton watch made of high-quality material can be a good investment with increased value over time.

A Close Look into Every Seiko Brand

Before diving into the latest version of the Seiko skeleton watch, take your time to delve into some of the widely known brands under the Seiko flagship below: 

1. Astron

Meet the world’s first GPS solar watch, Aston. This Seiko brand can draw all the energy from the light. Hence, there’s no need to change batteries like it requires in quartz watches. For a change of the time zone, connect the watch to the GPS network.

2. Prospex

Sports enthusiasts can explore the Seiko Prospex to find the right timepiece for adventurous outings. The Seiko Prospex consistently releases innovative creations for those actively participating in land, water, or sky sports. Since its first diver’s watch was released in 1965, Seiko’s in-house technology has significantly made an impact on global standards and ensured safety for recreational and professional diving activities.

3. Presage

What happened when the Japanese aesthetic met the traditional watchmaking skills? The combination birthed the Seiko Presage. It’s the collection that prioritizes long-lasting quality, performance, and beauty in its true identity of the brand.

4. Seiko 5 Sports

Mechanical watch enthusiasts may find a reliable and durable timepiece at an affordable price in Seiko 5 Sports. The big 5 represent the authentic key features of Seiko watches: automatic movement, water resistance, day-date display, durable material, and recessed crown. Presented in new looks, the Seiko 5 Sports boasts innovative creations and an extensive collection for all outdoor activities.

Read also: 13 Most Classic Seiko Watches of All Time from Varied Ranges 

5. King Seiko

Released in 1961, King Seiko led the advancement of premium mechanical watchmaking in Japan. Its revival in 2022 sparked a new interest in the industry and among watch enthusiasts. This flagship collection effortlessly pushes Seiko to the big stage of the global contemporary watch manufacturing world. The name “King Seiko” has never been more fitting for a high-grade timepiece collection from the renowned Japanese brand with a long history in watchmaking.

6. Grand Seiko

Grand Seiko offers exclusive and masterfully crafted timepieces from Seiko. It’s a collection of watches made of high-grade materials and exceptional movements, different from the previous collections mentioned above.

Though the Grand Seiko’s description sounds extravagant, the brand maintains simple forms which, in turn, gives off understated elegance. Since its first release in 1960, Seiko’s luxury brand consistently strikes the perfect balance between functional beauty and design that bears the long history of Japanese watchmaking.

Introducing The Latest Grand Seiko Skeleton Watch

In October 2022, Seiko introduced a new milestone of the Grand Seiko’s line. For the first time, the collection introduced the first timepiece with a mechanical complication called the Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon. Its innovative movement combines a tourbillon and a constant-force mechanism on a single axis for unprecedented stable accuracy.

Named Kodo, the Japanese word for heartbeat, the watch’s unique appearance delivers the message in earnest. Additionally, the classic ticking sound elevates the vitality of the creation. This stunning realization can be achieved through the open-work design and sapphire case back.

The constant-force technology and the tourbillon feature work hand-in-hand to make a harmonious design, perfectly aligning with the Grand Seiko’s identity. Its technical mastery elevates the elegant and functional encasing that binds every aspect of the timepiece as a whole entity.

At $365,000, the stunning Seiko skeleton watch flaunts an airy, open-worked dial construction. The condensed tourbillon and constant-force mechanism help eliminate extra components, allowing the watch to slim down to the 43.88 mm diameter case of mirror-polished platinum and hard titanium. Beyond the appearance, this skeleton watch also has heightened precision and performance, assuring the best functionality.

What powers the magnificent Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon is the caliber 9ST1. It comprises 340 components specifically designed, engineered, and examined to build a small-sized but highly accurate and stable movement.

Read also: 5 Best Skeleton Watches for Men: Watch Your Timepiece Ticking

Recommended Stunning Seiko Open-Heart Watches

The Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon continues to capture every watch enthusiast’s attention, but there are other equally stunning Seiko skeleton watches to explore. Some of the choices Gnomon Watches curate below are aimed at everyday watch wearers who seek stunning timepieces with skeletonized dials below $5,000. Pick whichever catches your fancy among the following recommendations:

1. Seiko Presage “Style60’s” Series Open-Heart White

Vintage Seiko watch collectors probably take interest in the reinvented Seiko's 1964 Crown Chronograph, Seiko Presage “Style60’s” Series Open-Heart White. This Seiko Presage skeleton watch features a solid retro aesthetic and the signature modern Japanese watchmaking precision.

At a glance, the white dial enclosed by the delightful 40.8 mm case displays the open-heart carving precisely at 9 o’clock. This crucial part displays the inner workings of the Japanese watchmaker’s in-house automatic movement.

To add to that, the chronograph feature comes in the form of a 24-hour sub-dial between 10 and 11 o’clock. Its presence gives a dash of complexity to the reimagined retro piece, adding an entirely functional chronograph function to the otherwise reliable time-telling device.

Through the open-heart carving, the wearer can see a crucial fragment of the in-house caliber 4R39 movement through the dial. It has an approximately 41-hour power reserve and 21,600 BPH. From the see-through case back, the Seko’s custom gold semi-skeletonized rotor can also be seen.

Price: $542.00 USD

2. Seiko Presage Automatic Sharp Edged Open-Heart Aitetsu Blue

Sneak a fragment of the 6R5J caliber that powers up the Seiko Presage Automatic Sharp Edged Open-Heart Aitetsu Blue. At exactly 9 o’clock position, you can locate the carefully designed open-heart dial which provides an unobstructed view of the magnificent in-house caliber operating at 21,600 BPH with a power reserve of 72 hours.

Just like the previous Seiko skeleton watch on the list, the intriguing blue dial watch boasts an open-heart design. To add to the beauty of the half-skeletonized area at 9 o’clock, the 24-hour sub-dial is located at the 6 o’clock position. The open heart reveals the beauty of the constant mechanical movement ticking under the stunning blue dial with the hemp leaf motive.

While bearing the Presage brand, this sporty and elegant mechanical watch has an uncanny resemblance to the Grand Seiko. With a 40.2 mm diameter and a thickness of 13.5 mm, the slim case is paired with the stainless steel material fitting for everyday wearing. The case and bracelet come in the same stainless steel material, ensuring comfortable wear even in the harshest conditions.

Price: $1,194.00 USD

3. Seiko Presage Classic Series Open-Heart Grey

Excellence in design and watchmaking has become the signature of Seiko Presage. While staying true to the classic Presage style, the Seiko Presage Classic Series Open-Heart Grey features necessary modern refinement, which allows it to shine among the stunning timepieces in the market today.

At the 9 o’clock position, the open-heart design showcases the part of mechanical movement that powers the grey dial watch. Above the intricate machinery, the wearer can inspect the multi-layered dial and the gradation colors that signify high-quality craftsmanship.

The added 24-hour sub-dial at the 6 o’clock position is put harmoniously to enhance the timepiece’s functionality beyond time-telling. To accentuate the perfect synergy and ensure comfortable wear, the case and the bracelet are made of stainless steel.

Price: $1,196.00 USD

4. Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Open Heart Aisumi Blue

The 316L stainless steel watch features an open-heart design to complement its stunning indigo blue dial. At 40.2 mm in diameter, the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Open Heart Aisumi Blue suits any wrist size. The wearer can see the oscillating balance wheel and moving escapement through the open-heart carving at the 9 o’clock position.

An anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal covers the dial, allowing optimal scratch resistance and better readability in harsh lighting conditions. While the hemp-leaf motive dial may indicate that this piece serves well as a dress watch, its push-pull crown and screw-down caseback allow it to have a 100 m water resistance.

Through the exhibition caseback, the in-house 6R38 movement can be spotted easily. It has 21,600 BPH and a reliable 70-hour power reserve. To give a sense of contrast and comfort, the open-heart blue Seiko Presage timepiece is paired with a calf leather strap.

Price: $882.00 USD

In Conclusion

Like many skeletonized timepieces on the market, the Seiko skeleton watch offers sophisticated designs and incredible craftsmanship true to the Japanese watchmaking identity. The Grand Seiko Kodo Constant-Force Tourbillon gives a glimpse of the luxury skeleton timepiece powered up by the trusted in-house movement.

Beyond the fully skeletonized design, options in the Seiko catalogue vary. Watch collectors may explore and engage in the idea of the open heart design in the Seiko Presage collection. Gnomon Watches provide a closer look at recommended open-heart watches that boast not only carefully crafted dials but also refined Japanese timekeeping technology underneath them.

Read also: Skeletonized Movement Watches: Exploring the Intricate Beauty