The 3 Coolest Skeleton Watches Around $300 - Mechanical, Auto & Quartz

What do the world renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano, Salisbury Cathedral, Amelia Earhart, and haute horology all have in common?
The surprising answer is skeleton style watches!
In this video I look at the best value options for quartz, automatic, and manual wind skeleton watches around $300, as well as a cheeky appearance by the cantankerous and rambunctious dinosaur of horology, the rex-father himself, Hugo Mountbatten.
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[@muhammadshafiq661]

You're the only youtuber that I look forward to watch new videos. Your content is like a watch, it keeps getting better and better with time

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you my fiend, I am deeply honored. You just made my evening :D Bes t regards, TGV

[@thierry2350]

Op Tu facts

[@EliottRobinson]

But he looks like a jame s bond baddie

[@ObsidianJayMusic]

unfortunately watches get worse over time. after 3 to 5 years they need to be serviced

[@tomgvaughan]

@@theurbangentry hey TGV are my initials

[@Aurelius556]

My personal favorite is my 1968 Bulova Accutron. It's a keeper.

[@1Rolinha]

The Rotary is my favorite. Finally , Hugo does a review!!! Thank you for another great video. TGV, the best in the business

[@irock-px8rq]

I absolutely am in love with certain skeleton watches. It is great to see how a great time piece actually works and what truly is inside the case. Another great video, and the Hugo intros keep getting better and better. Keep up the extraordinary work!!

[@theurbangentry]

Very well said, so glad you enjoy that aspect of them too. Thank you for the words of encouragement, onwards and upwards! Best regards, TGV

[@judefreeman4097]

The hugo intros are literally the funniest thing ever lmao. Thanks for another great video!

[@bnadem.panormal]

I'm binge watching them rn lol

[@blastofo]

Its refreshing to see a non comedian youtuber make a bit thats actually funny.

[@lanceuppercut7436]

“The magic of watches”. Well said TGV. I am fascinated by the movement of mechanical watches. It was one of the cool things that hooked me when i first came across your channel and you’d have a quick shot of a watch with its case back removed and the movement was ticking away. They are brilliant little machines indeed.

[@RevLev06]

Even though skeletonized watches are not my thing, I do appreciate the craftsmanship of their design and manufacture. As always a great video - I learned something new.

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you RKL! :D Best regards, TGV

[@nicocalimero]

The last rotary seems to have the seagull movement. I have a M182SK and it is just a marvel to watch. Moreover the accuracy is amazing.

[@Anthonyvo]

My old Invicta Russian diver is skeletonized. It's like 1,000,000mm wide and half a kilometer thick though. 😂

[@thatonelocalauthority2809]

man, invictas suck. cheap, bad quality precious metal, terrible movement, and in general a cheap Chinese homage of many great timepieces. I like homages if they are good quality, but invictas are not.

[@heimdyll6090]

@@thatonelocalauthority2809 no one asked your opinion

[@SSToor]

@@thatonelocalauthority2809 terrible movement? They use seiko movements lol, and they are not cheap feeling

[@heresaron]

I love the Hugo introductions! Please keep them coming- another great video 😁

[@merahchandra7405]

Thx for the review buddy. Its such a joy to hear the light review from U, I hope to hear more review in the future. 😋🙏

[@matticusmizen]

Dude, I absolutely loved the attention to detail in the list of phone conacts at the beginning. Jean-Luc Piccard. Alyssa Milano... :) Awesome! Thanks for the entertaining channel, high quality reviews and stand-up, honorable attitude!!

[@chippletown4862]

I watched this video in 2021 and I immediately went online and ordered a sea-gull skeleton. It came in the mail today and I love the watch! Thanks for the video!

[@deceptivepanther]

Hugo's the best. 🦖 Can't wait to see his Daniel Wellington review. 🤣

[@dstdrummer]

I have my grandfathers thin-O-matic masterpiece. Enshrined from his company and given to home in 1968. I love that watch!

[@codejuno]

It's always a pleasure watching this channel!

[@ChannelScottify]

I recently picked up my first ever mechanical watch, it's a Rotary Greenwich. I am more than happy with it so far. It's a standard Miyota 8N24 movement, but that doesn't seem like a bad thing.

[@samad3251]

How's the precision in terms of time keeping after 10 months?

[@ChannelScottify]

@@samad3251 Close enough I haven't noticed any problems. I will track it for a few days and let you know how it's getting on.

[@samad3251]

@@ChannelScottify Thanks 🙏

[@ChannelScottify]

@@samad3251 Averaged +2.75s per day. That's wearing it about 6 hours each day. It was about 6s a per day when I first got it, but I did some DIY and regulated it to within a second or so per day averaged over a week. It's only wondered off a little, maybe fast due to the warm weather :D

[@ShaneLindie]

I actually bought the Sea-Gull skeleton a week ago! I am amazed that it made it into your video. I value your input on watches and you give honest, quality and helpful reviews.

[@olympus35rc]

festina 6749 is the most well executed miyota 8 skeleton ever and you can grab one around today for near 100 eur.

[@swimmer751]

Bro your videos are fantastic!!! Love the intros.

[@_bach97]

Absolutely love the intro TGV its awesome to see you how much you evolved over the years!

[@jeansandjumper]

Swatch body and soul was my first own bought, non-quartz watch, back when I was 18, just found it in a drawer and will be rocking it again for the memories great to see it on the channel ❤️

[@afrog2666]

Love that intro, Hugo watching jurassic park hehe, brilliant!

[@j.t.3739]

Love Hugo! Get him; Lunch time; human contraption ..LOL Hugo crack me up each time I watch him. Hardcore Hugo fan!

[@tonycollard4185]

Another great video! I am so jealous of your Wittnauer skeleton watch. I have been collecting Wittnauer watches for over 15 years, particularly their military and doctor watches, but I had never come across one like yours before. If only I had!! A brilliant purchase! Enjoy! Best Regards, TC

[@asktonyc]

What a superior video! Hugo will have no problem giving Daniel Wellington his seal of approval.

[@oscargustavoarcosruiz8793]

Oh my God! Hugo was watching T Rex pornography!

[@needfoolthings]

So, how does a T-Rex, of all animals, jerk off?!

[@mariog7213]

@@needfoolthings 🤣🤣🤣

[@markcamacho9752]

I may be 1 year too late but what do you think about stuhrling??

[@RedwoodAggie]

Wow, I love how great that Swatch looks! I had a Swatch Jelly in the '80s. I also love that you can find all their old designs on the Swatch website.

[@Mei-rf2dz]

This is your BEST video so far in my opinion. Thank you.

[@waseemshtawa2]

That intro is just golden.

[@paulodr33]

I've been waiting for this!

[@allthestroke88]

Muppet was a little harsh. Another great video. I'm loving the history as much as the watches.

[@FRGMNTD]

October=Skeletons=Halloween=Skeleton watches.

[@leep8981]

been waiting for this for ages

[@ivanbalbontin3236]

I have a skeleton sturling watch for 3 years and it works great, most beautiful watch I have seen

[@Cactuscarlo]

Thanks in advance im about to wach your video, about time someone makes a video about affordable squeleton watches 👍

[@bobfrombrisbane1831]

The Hugo introduction was so funny. Some skeletonised watches are almost works of art. ⌚️⏱

[@JoshGransmore]

I love that you gave the history behind the watches! Very interesting to learn :D thank you

[@FALLERModellbau]

Great video TGV, very interesting topic. Love the Hugo intros, always great fun. Big fan of the Hamilton you're wearing. Keep up the great work, all the best from Melbourne, Australia.

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you JPM! Best regards, TGV

[@eusupporter8438]

I am at home with a flu at moment,😐 just thinking what a poor guy I am.😐 What can I say. I watched your video and it was the best medicine. 😃 😃😃 I am good mood and soon well again. Thank you sir. 👍👍👍

[@theurbangentry]

I am glad I could alleviate some of your suffering, get better old chap! Thank you :D Best regards, TGV

[@terry141186]

So glad you mentioned rotary. I actually own the Greenwich the all gold bracelet version. Paid £200 for it and honestly the quality is very good. It has a sapphire crystal and is powered by the bomb proof miyota 8n24 movement. People trash rotary and yes some of the stuff they produce is pretty sub par but if they know how to do something well it's how to make an attractive skeleton watch that's actually useable day to day. It bugs the hell out of me when you see these skeleton watches that you can't even tell the time on properly.

[@cooloutac]

That rotary watch he showed though is a highly copied homage that every brand does. I was much more interested in what that stuhrling watch looked like to the right of it in his screenshot lol.

[@joefernandes3255]

What an absolute coincidence! I wore my Swatch YAS 100D to work today and watched this video that just delighted me. Thanks for all the content you've been sharing over the years, I've literally got 3 watches in my collection based on your insights. I also have a really old Seiko (Hoping to share a pic some Saturday) and Orient that I got restored :D I am really Glad that The Urban Gentry pushed me to a watch collecting hobby!

[@freddy7115]

I ended up buying the Wittnauer skeleton watch you had showed in your video. It was the Ebay listing. I can't wait to receive it. Enjoyed your video!!

[@theurbangentry]

Congrats!!! I was watching it too, just out of interest. Enjoy it my friend. Thank you Freddy, please keep me posted. Best regards, TGV

[@PixelVogue]

LMAO Hugo the legend! He needs a review with an awesome John Williams intro!!

[@DaveK385]

Hugo is the star!

[@whereandbackagain7059]

It's easy to write off Kenneth Cole as a fashion watch, but I have a KC skeleton watch that is beautiful and has worked faithfully for years. For less than $200 it has solid end links and a heavily decorated automatic movement. Beautiful watch that looks even better on a black gator strap.

[@cooloutac]

what is the model?

[@cooloutac]

actually i just looked up a couple kenneth cole models and saw one with the same movement as in my fossil. Actually I think fossil manufacturers alot of watches for them and if you have that one. With the dangling chain like cutout on the left. with the balance wheel between the 6 and 7, and the spring between 12 and 1. Thats a japanese movement even though manfuactured in china. Not the best movement, since the second hand can be jittery. But it keeps time absolutely great. under +10 second average on mine. A pure japanese movement usually has the the balancewheel pin pointed on the 7 with the 6 and 8 precisioned on its borders. But if you got that chinese movement i described in your kenneth cole. I still much prefer it for the beauty and the good timekeeping. I mean every single layer of that watch has a different finish or color down to the metal parts of the mechanism so you can really percieve all the different levels of it. From the hands down to the bottom on the back.The second hand is just aesthetics and an expert watchmaker could improve it. But to me that to me is the best skeleton of all time. It shows everything. seperates every layer so the viewer can easily discern between all the parts. Its what I think a skeleton watch is and as should be if I had to explain it to someone. I said all time, but ok, my dream watch would be the Angelus U20 hahah. But keep your watch man, we won't be seeing that movement anymore. the watch industry died with covid.

[@JeffWuerth]

I love all of your videos, but I couldn't even get past the intro with Hugo to give a thumbs up.

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you Jeff :D Best regards, TGV

[@bluesriderDF]

I have a Bulova Sutton 98A166 on the way. (Related models in different finishes are the 98A165 and 98A214). I'm very excited about this one.

[@JHself]

I like your channel, you are the Kingsman of watches :D keep going Galahad !

[@matm4331]

My first mechanical watch was a skelton dial Rotary cal. R.1004.21. It was a great intro for me and kept reasonable time.

[@hectorpinto5683]

Thank u so mch for the skeleton watch video.I enjoyed it ,amazing

[@ThatKiddmg]

Couldn’t ask for better timing in terms of concept for a video! I asked for some help on this very topic in the UGWC just last week so I’m looking forward to watching this and hearing your suggestions! Keep it up T. Thanks and best regards, Oli

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you Oli, I hope this helps. Happy hunting, Best regards, TGV

[@cappy2282]

Really cool 👌. That last watch was sooo sweet lol

[@freddie8354]

Glad to see that a Swatch was mentioned, the only skeleton watch I have is a Swatch Vatel. Wonderful videos as always

[@kuokliangchin2078]

My state of the collection senses are tingling ! It’s been awhile TGV

[@theurbangentry]

How very fortuitous of you my friend, Its been exactly a year, coming soon! Thank you KLC, Best regards, TGV

[@husseinalipasha419]

great video man, learned a lot, thank you!!

[@scorerbreaker]

Hey TGV, great video as always! You should try to make a watch from parts bought from eBay(especially those China parts), really curious what style you will go to. Cheers sir.

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you Hsien, hopefully one day, sounds like a great and fun idea. Best regards, TGV

[@JuanDiaz-zw7cc]

Wow! I was literally looking for cool skeleton watches for around this price range last night! Awesome video my man

[@solo8827]

I've been watching your videos lately. i love skeleton watches. i bought the m182sk because of this video. i saw also the wittnauer. i am planning to buy one. do you have any idea where to buy it online?

[@Ruthlessbone]

Yet another great video for Tristano! I'm up 500 bucks still saving for that Rolex subby to be part of the Rolex gang! Still have a long way to go but I will eventually get there

[@mrpickal5644]

Hi TGV. I just wanted to say a big thanks. I'm so very new to the watch game and have been watching hours of your videos to help better my understanding. I used this as a vase guide to find a perfect skeleton watch for me. At first I was going to settle on the Sea Gull, but after some time looking around, found (what I think to be) a much better deal, and ended up grabbing a Bulova Automatic Skeleton watch - the 98A214 for only 379 AUS. Thank you so much for your videos, and I hope you get to read this and know you've helped out a newbie :) P.S. if you do read this, would you be keen to make a horology video on Bulova? Many thanks.

[@LorienWicck]

Wonderful that you mention Wittnauer, it's such an underrated vintage brand. Although, I will have to blame you if I get a sudden spike in competition than usual on ebay for their watches, heh.

[@melo11n]

Good quality video as always. Thanks for the brief history. Im not a big fan of skeleton watches. Do you have any experience when it comes to wooden watches. Would like for you to do similar video kinda like this one.

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you, great idea. Sadly my experience on wooden watches is very limited so it would be unfair of me to do a video, but wooden clock however is a whole different matter. Best regards, TGV

[@olivern.2454]

Should i buy The Sea-Gull or Swatch body and soul? I would appreciate ur guys opinion.

[@henryettoit897]

seagull is a better watchmaker.

[@kjeldpedersen666]

Hi TGV I’m normally no big fan of skeletonized watches (-except maybe on the back side). But that Wittnauer has something... So you’re making the honorable choice of sending the money back to Hugo. Great, don’t let that guy corrupt you😆 Keep up the good work 👍

[@michelerecinella4365]

Great video TGV, and Hugo was great as well👍😂😂

[@theurbangentry]

Grazie Michele :D Best regards, TGV

[@bubbab7792]

Love the intros as always... Hugo needs his own watch review channel or at least a partnership in your channel TGV. Bravo Sir. 😂😂😂👍

[@Texmotodad]

I subscribed at the under 100k level and really enjoy your creativity! Well done sir!

[@theurbangentry]

Thank you so much Perry, that means a great deal to me to hear that. Onwards and upwards! Best regards, TGV

[@milanpetkovic1990]

I have Jacques Lemans N-207ZC Skeleton Watch (299e). It is mechanical watch with manual wind. I must have also this Wittnauer watch. It is fantastic.

[@timsimmons9995]

Just got a Rotary, my first skeleton, and I am bewitched, as you say! I'm building a nice small watch collection. :)

[@ricardo_original]

Haha such a great video, Sir!

[@rene_falk]

Hi, I have such a Hamilton too. It was hard to find one without an engraving in a good condition. I wear it in combination with a thin and dull black leather strap, pure understatement.

[@rickewilde]

Lol.Hugo rooting for the villain,love it.Can you do more about Rotary and it's backstory.my first watch was a Rotary and I still have it today.they seem to fly under the radar but I like many of their pieces. Good work fella.

[@bingusmingus2215]

That Wittnauer… Jeez what a beautiful watch!

[@everydaypatriot1083]

Sweet little Witty. "Class with a little bling" says it all. Very nice.

[@KevW03]

Hugo has some serious connections to leave you with those fat stacks on the table! Interesting review on skeleton watches :)

[@mikeh9080]

Im not going to lie i just recently came across your channel and thought it would be another guy showing off and making me feel poor. But i definitely was wrong ive been binging your videos, amazing content!

[@olivierparedes3014]

I am eagerly awaiting Hugo's Daniel Wellington review :)

[@JustinMiles17]

Lost it when Hugo was watching Jurassic park!

[@Rog5446]

So pleased that Wittnauer gets a mention, as they do have an interesting history. Although they were one of the three makers considered for the Moon Watch and came joint second with Rolex (which everyone knows was won by Omega) a Wittnauer watch did actually get into space on the wrist of Neil Armstrong on the Gemini 8 mission. I have a good example of a Wittnauer 2000 Perpetual Calendar auto, which is nothing like any other 'calendar' watch, as it's reliant on a very simple manually operated rotating readout to get the day/month/year. I will forgive the mispronunciation (there's no 'E' after the 'T' TGV) BTW Is Kipper's Knickers the same as Dog's Bollocks?

[@PreeyenMistry]

Love my 36mm rotary skeleton watch, seagull movement inside is surprisingly accurate +/-3secs

[@danr1920]

I have the Swatch Body and Soul automatic. A very good watch for the money, lots of fun.

[@roncomfort7423]

OK. The curiosity is killing me! You're videos and many other videos always or at least most of the time seemed to display watches that are set at 10:08 p.m. - 10:10p.m.. Why? I must know why. No doubt this will keep me awake most of the night! There must be a reason.

[@adityachandrashekhar525]

I swear my watches stop working whenever I play a video of yours!! I have no idea where the minutes go...my watches seem to magically jump ahead to the exact time that has passed after I finish watching.

[@teddubois6055]

Love that Sea-Gull! Are the ones made today of the same quality? Also, I know this video is old, could you look into the Timex Unveil Automatic? Thank you for doing what you're doing.

[@hlubibtiam2329]

Bought 4 sturling originals for 100$ on facebook marketplace! Looks great can’t wait to get more these are 34mm and has 50 m water resistance

[@timschubardt]

Great video. I have never seen such a cool vintage skelletonized watch like the Wittnauer.:)

[@poozizzle]

I have an Invicta skeleton watch. I love to wind it up and watch it all start up!

[@davidmichienzi101]

Great watches TGV, the swatch is the best of the bunch 👍🇮🇹😊 Don't want to bother old Hugo lol I hope your well and always a pleasure to hear from you sir.

[@michaelmartinez6437]

Loved the Dino !!!! That was asome more like this !!!

[@junwoojang2941]

The last watch is gorgeous. Looks so elegant and refined. TGV, you got me into smaller watches. I usually wear 42-44mm watch. I now have a mechanical timex that is 34mm in diameter, and I'm having so much fun with it.

[@theurbangentry]

That is fantastic to hear, going from 44 to 34, that is quite a leap, you have my respect sir! Thank you Junwoo, you inspire me. Best regards, TGV

[@theurbangentry]

That is fantastic to hear, going from 44 to 34, that is quite a leap, you have my respect sir! Thank you Junwoo, you inspire me. Best regards, TGV

[@junwoojang2941]

@@theurbangentry cheers :)

[@khronokraze]

Great examples. I do like that Swatch you showed. I've owned many skeleton watches in my time. I still have 2 original swatches from the 80s that are skeleton. The Technosphere and Turquoise Bay. I much prefer a full skeleton to an open heart.. An open heart just looks too jarring as a hole punched out of the dial. The only exception that is like an open heart design would be for a tourbillon.

[@realsecrets1]

Would you reccomend ebay or amazon for these watches?

[@khronokraze]

@@realsecrets1 for a Swatch? Either, but you're likely to find the older or harder to find ones on ebay. Amazon is mostly newer stock.

[@busdrivermike13]

Nice, one of my favorite skeleton watch’s is An citizen late 70s model, as a kid I was Fascinated with them, I keep hoping to find a good Example to buy.

[@alexm2113]

Very cool topic TGV. I'd like to add that if you're consider semi-skeleton, or "open heart" pieces as well, the options expand even further to some very nice Orient, Citizen, and Seiko models. Also, despite being dismissed as a fashion brand, Fossil actually has a few automatic skeleton models in their line that look pretty interesting and can be had for very little.

[@danlightened]

Yes, it's marvelous, isn't it? I don't know where Fossil stands in the level of luxury fashion and its price points but I'm just glad there's a popular global brand that is affordable for people like us in poor countries, with weak currency. Can you or anyone else comment on its quality and how they're able to make it for so cheap, even most of the Swiss automatic watches seem to be above $700? And more so if they're skeleton watches.

[@Stallionfragrancereviews]

That last one is amazing , I love those old American watches , I have a few , I love swatch also I have a automatic from the 90’s

[@ryan_bitzer]

I'm surprised your Bulova Accutron never made a cameo in this video! I love skeleton watches. They're so intriguing.

[@theurbangentry]

So nearly did, but I could not find one at $300, I paid just under $400 for mine. Good thinking Ryan, it would have to be my fave under $1000, which might deserve a whole separate video. I will deffo consider it. Thank you, Best regards, TGV

[@simlinestudios7062]

You’re a great guy with a great mind

[@tynchytemper9618]

The Rotary was a jura using the seagull ST16 movement with a little work carried out by Inter T SA of Switzerland

[@namesbinge3073]

Does Mechanical suit your taste or Automatic?? Cuz I saw the rotary you mentioned at the end is automatic.