These Halloween watches feature some of the most precise cuts, unique materials, and ever-popular skull motif.
As adults dress up and children collect sweets, the excitement of Halloween leaves its dark past in the shadows.
History tells us that Halloween originated from Samhain, a Celtic festival where people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. Today, we see costumes recreated in every shape and form, and the world of watches is not left behind.
Dare we say, these five pieces have retained some of the mystery and delightful horror that makes All Hallow’s Eve spook-tacular. These Halloween watches feature some of the most precise cuts, unique materials, and ever-popular skull motif seen on Swiss wrist-pieces.
Chopard L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit Of ‘La Santa Muerte’
A tribute to the Latin American patron saint of death, the Chopard perpetual calendar tourbillon lies behind an intricate mask reminiscient of Day of the Dead celebrations. In fact, look at the 'moustache' above that mother-of-pearl grimace to find the tourbillon bridge, to go with perpetual calendar counters in the eyes. Also rather impressive is the nine-day power reserve. The Mexican Calavera skull on the 18-carat gold dial is hand-engraved, of course, with a deep black varnish to bring out rose gold patterns that match its case. It's one of a kind. W chopard.com
Speake-Marin Crazy Skulls
What do you get when you cross a 60-second Flying Tourbillon with a Minute Repeater Carillon? Add in a fascinating dual-dial animation of skulls opening, and we'd be talking about the one-of-a-kind Speake-Marin Crazy Skulls. It combines a Piccadilly case, with bezel and case back fashioned from 18K red gold. Delicate heart-shaped steel hands carry a similar hue, tying the dark, elegant look to its heart of rebellion. Estimated price: RM 2,591,724. W speake-marin.com
Bell & Ross BR01 Laughing Skull
Designed to animate when winding, the mandible of this metal skull move back to flash you a wide grin. Bell & Ross' bit of Jaquemart magic marks the fifth version in its flagship Skull series. The case carries Clous de Paris guilloche finish, while metal-applique skull looks like it is floating above the case. Finally, a skeleton watch with an actual skeleton - one that stays with you for 100 metres underwater, at that. W bellross.com
Richard Mille RM 52-01
Though Jolly Roger is the clear focus, it does not dull the rest of this Richard Mille work-of-art. This 2013 release is an oldie but a goodie, and a goldie at that. Admirably, this isn't even what we love most about the RM 52-01. It could be the highly scratch-resistant TZP in the bezel and case back that gives it that gorgeous grainy sheen, or the carbon nanotude-black polymer bond creating the light-weight (yet incredibly durable) centre. Might we add that the torque crown is specially designed to prevent over-winding, or that it goes 50 meters underwater? No wonder this 30-piece line went for over RM 2.5 million each. W richardmille.com
Fiona Krüger Petit Skull 'Eternity'
Having spent time in Mexico as a child, Fiona Krüger remembers the vivid colours and festivities of Dia de Los Muertos (Day of the Dead). One could say that the Petit Skull line is an ode to that. Ladies would particularly revel in this slim, multi-coloured skull, which contains seven colours of precious stones and diamonds. Lacquer brings out the brilliance of the triple-layer dial, which transforms into a luminous superluminova skull outline by night. The eyes are the windows to the moving balance wheel and delicate mainspring. 'Eternity' goes for an estimated RM 93,841. W fionakrugertimepieces.com
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Related: Bell & Ross BR01 Laughing Skull arrives just in time for Halloween
Images: Respective brands