There’s something wonderfully contradictory about skeleton watches. They strip away the mystery of mechanical movements while simultaneously making them more intriguing. The folks at Aerowatch, tucked away in Switzerland’s Jura region, have been playing this game brilliantly with their Lady Automatic Skeleton collection since 1942. Now, the Bolzli siblings are back with a fresh iteration that proves their family motto right: “Fashion lasts a season – design lasts forever.”
The latest additions come dressed in dusky rose and white with raspberry pink accents. It’s a color palette that feels both contemporary and timeless, which is exactly the tightrope walk Aerowatch intended. The 35mm stainless steel case hits that sweet spot where it’s substantial enough to showcase the mechanical ballet inside, yet delicate enough to suit any wrist size.
Speaking of that mechanical ballet, let’s talk about what makes skeleton watches so captivating. The skeletonized SW 200-1 movement isn’t just visible through the dial – it’s the star of the show. Every gear, every wheel, every component of this 26-jewel calibre is on display, ticking away at 28,800 vibrations per hour. It’s like having a tiny mechanical theater strapped to your wrist.
The blue hands are a masterstroke. Against all that exposed metalwork, they pop with surprising clarity, making time-reading actually practical rather than a geometric puzzle. Three diamonds punctuate the display ring at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, adding sparkle without going overboard. The onion-shaped crown gets a black onyx embellishment, and for those who want to lean harder into the jewelry aspect, there’s an option with a diamond-set bezel.
The transparent case back is almost redundant here – you’re already seeing the movement from the front – but it does let you appreciate the rhodinated finish and pearl decoration from another angle. The 38-hour power reserve means you can take it off Friday evening and pick it up Monday morning without resetting.
Despite all the visual drama, this watch remains wonderfully wearable. The soft calfskin strap matches the dial colorway, and Aerowatch deserves credit for their commitment to avoiding protected animal species. The 50-meter water resistance won’t survive a swimming session, but it’ll handle daily splashes without complaint.
At its heart, this is a watch that celebrates mechanical watchmaking while refusing to take itself too seriously. The skeleton movement could be intimidating, but Aerowatch presents it as something joyful and accessible. It’s technical enough for enthusiasts to appreciate the craftsmanship, yet approachable enough for someone simply looking for a beautiful timepiece with personality.
The Lady Automatic Skeleton proves that you don’t need complications stacked on complications to create something compelling. Sometimes, just showing your work – literally – is statement enough.
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