Austin, TX-based Tockr is often a source of unorthodox watchmaking, and this week the brand continued this legacy with the introduction of the new limited-edition C-47 Skeleton Automatic. As its name implies, the watch is a skeletonized version of the C-47 Radial Engine Collection first released by Tockr in 2017; we previously covered the D-Day C-47 watch, constructed from salvaged WWII aircraft parts, upon its release at the start of 2019. This new skeletonized design works to highlight the central mechanics of the C-47 collection, this version presented as a symbolic parallel to peeking under the hood of the WWII C-47 aircraft that inspires it.
The watch is available in two styles, one featuring a black-and-bronze colorway, the other opting for blue-and-metal. Each of the C-47 Skeleton watches uses a round, 42-mm brushed steel case with partially hooded lugs — an almost tonneau-like style, reminiscent of the Hamilton Fontainebleau watches of the 1970s. Aside from the interesting shape, the case is rather straightforward, with its only other “flairs” being its barrel-engraved crown and flat bezel.
Underneath the anti-reflective sapphire crystal, we discover a somewhat complex skeletonized dial. On the outer edges is a combined minute/hour ring, with small printed Arabic numerals put to use, and color highlights used for each quarter hour. Closer to the center, a stylized layer underneath recalls a turbine on an airplane engine, which speaks to the lineage of the aviation-inspired C-47 collection. This layer borders the central heart of the dial, where we find the openworked movement on display, as well as baton-style, Super-LumiNova-highlighted hour and minute hands, and a thick pointer to count the seconds.
Powering the latest C-47 models is the Caliber STP 6-15 H6, which is visible via a numbered exhibition caseback and capable of a 44-hour power reserve. STP, or Swiss Technology Production, movements are lesser known than those from ETA or Sellita, but are occasionally used by smaller independent brands like Tockr. Tockr, while it is headquartered in Texas, partners with a Swiss manufacturer on all of its watches, notably partnering with STP to source the movements for these two models.
Both C-47 Skeleton models will be limited to eight pieces each (16 total watches), and will retail for $2,300. Both models are available now directly through Tockr for pre-order, with shipping expected to begin in December.
To learn more, you can visit Tockr’s website, here.
