Many watch brands have at least one skeleton watch in their collection, but only a few have actually introduced skull watches — timepieces with skulls on their dials, some with a horological headbone actually incorporated into the movement itself. Here’s a heads-up on four recently released skull watches.
1. Richard Mille Tourbillon RM 052 Skull
The skull is also integrated into the movement: the upper and lower “jaws” hold the ruby of the tourbillon cage, and the back of the skull is also the movement’s center bridge. The four bridges that connect the movement to the case also a form a skull-and-crossbones pattern. All details about the watch here.
2. HYT Skull Pocket
3. Bell & Ross BR 01 Airborne
The BR 01 Airborne from Bell & Ross features a glow-in-the-dark skull on its dial. The BR 01 Airborne was developed in honor of the courageous soldiers who fought during World War II, particularly the paratroopers of the U.S. Airborne divisions.
The skull was one of the emblems they wore on their uniforms as a symbol of courage in the face of death.
4. Speake-Marin Crazy Skulls
The dial of the Crazy Skulls from Peter Speake-Marin‘s eponymous watch brand features not one but two skulls. While the space between them forms a heart in the watch shown above, one can activate the watch’s minute repeater with a slider on the left side of the case, which activates the repeater and also makes the skulls reveal the usually hidden tourbillon at 6 o’clock, as shown below.
The first time Speake-Marin placed a skull on a watch dial was 10 years ago, on the Cabinet des Mystères model. More details about the Crazy Skulls watch – which was released at SIHH 2017 – can be found in this article.
This article was originally published in 2014 and has been updated.
Never understood fascination with death and skulls in watch design. Ugly and morbid.
HYT Skull Bad Boy needs to be in the list!
What about the Bomberg “Day of the Dead” inspired pieces?
Fiona Kruger, who’s done some work for Speake-Marin, has her own line of (cran)ometers, which you’ll find at fionakrugertimepieces.com
I am so very disappointed with you all… you didn’t include the SKULL watch that basically started the trend of high-end Swiss watches sporting this “bad boy” symbol. Back in 2004, CORUM had Severin Wunderman at the helm as CEO. He was into some really off-the-wall designs and came up with the first Collector’s Series, the JOLLY ROGER. It featured a large luminous skull in the center of the dial with luminous bones for hour and minute hands. The sweep second hand was a sword… specifically, a pirate cutlass. All of this was housed in the strange but cool “Bubble” case, which was 45mm… as rocking the extra large case had become popular around that time.
I have the 45mm chronograph version with automatic movement… it keeps time perfectly and is really cool to look at (I get loads of compliments… and strange looks) as it is different in all respects… I have the s/s mesh bracelet too which I fine more appealing than the leather or rubber strap.
Maybe someday, you could give this particular watch it’s due… as it does deserve recognition.
Chrono – Ref: 285.140.20 a limited edition of 500 pieces.
Diameter: 45mm
Strap: Corum stainless steel mesh bracelet
Dial: Black with luminous “Jolly Roger” skull / Luminous “bones” hands / “Cutlass” chrono sweep hand / Luminous hour markers and red chrono and minute hands
Year: 2004
Comment: Quite Rare / The first of the “Collector Series” Jolly Roger XL Bubble case / Automatic movement with chronograph module, limited edition of 500 pcs.
Are these the only watches you have with the skulls. Couse i have one trying to find out wht its worth and these are no WHERE. Near what mine is ….
I will try and send a pic for you.. lol
But my watch is silver. And the skull is dimno studed and covers. The face of watch and also spins you cn lift it to open and view the fce of wstch or you can view though the skull and cross bones…
I know it doesn’t have an in-house movement and cost as much as a car but you’re not going to find a cooler skull watch than the Helson Blackbeard. Here’s the lume: https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-73cJuVNNFIg/U0DlQ82onrI/AAAAAAAAGRw/at4qG_ISbBc/s640/C360_2014-03-30-11-30-00-166.jpg
Several of the “related watches” links are going to this page – https://www.watchtime.com/watch-database/wempe/chronometerwerke/yellow-gold – instead of the page they should go to. This is happening on several pages for different watches.
We’ll look into it. Thanks!