【F】 A Big Year For Skeletonized And Openworked Watches

Skeletonized watches and openworked dials seem to be everywhere this year. From subtle cutouts that reveal just a hint of mechanics to fully open displays that showcase the entire movement, brands across price segments are leaning into transparency. Whether driven by aesthetics, technical ambition, or simply a desire to stand out, it’s a trend that’s hard to ignore. In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho is joined by Thomas and Lex to discuss what feels like a particularly strong year so far for skeletonization and openworked designs. The trio explores why brands keep returning to this idea, what separates a good execution from a cluttered one, and whether these watches work as daily wearers or remain statement pieces. But first, it’s time for a quick wrist check.

Wrist check

Thomas is wearing the Kiwame Tokyo Mune Usuki, a minimalist Japanese watch with clean lines and a restrained aesthetic. It combines an eggshell dial with applied Breguet numerals and an index inspired by a traditional Japanese roof at 12 o’clock. Completing the dressy look is a blued seconds hand with a luminous counterweight pip evoking the shape of Asakusa Kaminarimon in Asakusa, Tokyo. With a relatively affordable price tag of around €700, it’s certainly an eye-catching option.

Lex has opted for his Omega Speedmaster Broad Arrow “Replica.” This is a late-1990s reinterpretation of an early Speedmaster design, centered on its characteristic handset and steel tachymeter bezel. Lex has opted to pair it with a Serica rubber strap, leaning into the retro vibes.

Nacho is wearing his recently acquired Doxa Sub 300T Professional, an unmistakable orange-dial diver with a late-’60s design, a cushion case, and a distinct presence on the wrist. There’s no mistaking a Doxa, especially when it leans into what is undoubtedly the brand’s most distinctive colorway.

Fratello Talks: A Big Year For Skeletonization And Open-Worked Dials

Whether subtle or fully transparent, skeletonization and openworking are clearly having a moment. Such designs are appearing across the board, from high-end independents to more accessible brands. In this episode, Nacho, Thomas, and Lex discuss recent executions and mention examples of the ones that work, the ones that don’t, and why this trend seems particularly strong right now.

What do you think? Are skeletonized and openworked watches becoming more wearable, or are they still mostly statement pieces? Let us know in the comments below, and tune in next week for another episode of Fratello Talks!