Revealing every beat and gear in stunning detail, the Tourby Skeleton Ref. 3001.1 redefines what a skeleton watch can be. This watch offers a front-row seat to the mechanics of time—crafted by hand and limited to just ten pieces.
In the intricate world of haute horlogerie, a skeleton watch stands as the purest testament to transparency, both in design and philosophy. To skeletonize a timepiece is to lay its very soul bare—every gear, jewel, and bridge made visible, and thus, accountable to the scrutiny of true connoisseurs. The Tourby Skeleton Ref. 3001.1 embraces this concept fully, delivering an extraordinary timepiece that is as mechanically honest as it is artistically stunning.
Limited to just ten pieces worldwide, the Ref. 3001.1 is not mass-produced, nor is it the product of machine-dominated precision. Instead, it is the result of expert hands, slow processes, and a reverence for traditional watchmaking. This is not simply a wristwatch—it’s a hand-engraved sculpture of time itself.
The steel parts have been pearled, adding texture and contrast to the visual field. This interplay of materials and finishes is what gives the Tourby Skeleton such a mesmerizing presence. Whether viewed under a loupe or in natural daylight, the watch reveals new layers of detail with every glance.
• Adjusted in 5 positions, providing chronometer-level accuracy of -2/+8 seconds per day
Beyond its technical stats, the movement has been transformed visually, and it truly shines is in its finishing. Heat-blued screws and winding wheels provide brilliant bursts of color. The click mechanism, often neglected in watch finishing, has been hand-pearlized for aesthetic continuity.This level of refinement is almost never found in watches at this price point.
This is the kind of finishing typically reserved for pieces costing two to three times the price of the Tourby Skeleton.
Tourby doesn’t settle for good enough. It pursues perfection in every visible and invisible detail.
The hands are temperature-blued in the traditional way—by heating steel to just over 290°C until it achieves a rich cornflower blue hue. This process not only improves corrosion resistance but also gives the hands an unmistakable elegance. And thanks to their classic shape, legibility remains excellent against the skeletonized background.
Each screw is also heat-blued and polished, giving the movement an almost architectural symmetry. Even the strap clasp has been finished in matching stainless steel and engraved with Tourby branding—an understated yet luxurious touch.
The sapphire crystal on the front is domed and treated with anti-reflective coating, ensuring that the movement remains the center of attention in any lighting condition. Meanwhile, the display back allows for an equally stunning rear view, showcasing the hand-engraved bridges and wheels—a breathtaking reward for the true enthusiast.
And lest you miss the finishing touches: the screws are individually blued and polished, and even the stainless steel clasp is engraved, reflecting the same level of care and thought.
The watch is fitted with a genuine leather strap, custom-sized to the case and secured with a solid stainless steel clasp. The strap is soft yet durable, conforming over time to the wrist of the wearer. And with a standard 22 mm width, personalization is effortless for those who love to rotate their straps. A 22 mm genuine leather strap—supple, premium, and built for long-term wear.
Each timepiece ships in a handmade leather travel case, adding to the experience of unboxing a product that is as luxurious as it is exclusive.
Each piece is hand-assembled, regulated, and engraved by artisans who view their work as legacy. The hand-engraving alone demands an immense investment of time and skill, making mass production virtually impossible. Every single piece is a work of art, slightly different from the next—unique in character and soul. For collectors, this level of rarity combined with visual distinction makes the Tourby Skeleton a grail-worthy acquisition.
In an era of digital watch design and factory automation, the Tourby Skeleton timepiece represents a vanishing breed: the entirely human-made wristwatch.
Owning a Tourby Skeleton is not only a statement of taste but also a vote in favor of independent artisanship and mechanical purity.
Skeleton watches from major Swiss houses with comparable finishing typically retail for €10,000–€30,000 or more, and yet many do not match the level of hand-applied decoration or movement transparency found here.
Collectors will admire its rarity, while enthusiasts will relish its visible mechanics and wearable elegance. It’s also a compelling alternative to skeletonized offerings from major Swiss houses, often priced exponentially higher and lacking the same level of handcrafted detail.
If you’ve ever longed to own a watch that tells a story—not just of time, but of craftsmanship, commitment, and character—this is it.
With its hand-engraved movement, sapphire caseback, heat-blued accents, and classic proportions, this watch isn’t just worn—it’s experienced. It becomes a daily ritual, a conversation starter, and above all, a lifelong companion.
In a world obsessed with the future, Tourby dares to celebrate the past—engraved, skeletonized, and ticking proudly on your wrist.
If you’re looking for a timepiece that doesn’t just measure time, but honors it, your search may end here.
Keywords: Tourby Skeleton Ref. 3001.1, Tourby Skeleton watch review, Hand-engraved skeleton watch, Tourby ETA Unitas 6498-1, Limited edition German watch, Tourby manual wind skeleton, Tourby 40mm 43mm 45mm skeleton, Independent watchmaker Germany, Haute horlogerie skeleton timepiece, Tourby Watches 2025, Sapphire skeleton watch, Temperature blued hands watch, Collectible mechanical wristwatch, Vintage-inspired skeleton watch, Tourby handmade wristwatch.
[photo credits: Tourby / www.tourbywatches.com]
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In the intricate world of haute horlogerie, a skeleton watch stands as the purest testament to transparency, both in design and philosophy. To skeletonize a timepiece is to lay its very soul bare—every gear, jewel, and bridge made visible, and thus, accountable to the scrutiny of true connoisseurs. The Tourby Skeleton Ref. 3001.1 embraces this concept fully, delivering an extraordinary timepiece that is as mechanically honest as it is artistically stunning.
Limited to just ten pieces worldwide, the Ref. 3001.1 is not mass-produced, nor is it the product of machine-dominated precision. Instead, it is the result of expert hands, slow processes, and a reverence for traditional watchmaking. This is not simply a wristwatch—it’s a hand-engraved sculpture of time itself.
Honoring Heritage: Tourby and the Spirit of Independent Watchmaking
Tourby Watches, based in the heart of Germany’s horological region, is one of the few independent watchmakers that continue to champion old-world watchmaking values in the 21st century. Founded with a clear mission to deliver exceptional quality at fair prices, Tourby has become a beloved name among collectors who crave mechanical purity, transparency, and attention to detail.
What sets Tourby apart from other boutique brands is its dedication to in-house assembly and hand-finishing. Each component is carefully sourced, often from Switzerland, but the real magic happens in Hagen, where master watchmakers regulate, engrave, assemble, and inspect each piece by hand.
The brand’s refusal to outsource finishing or rely on automated production reflects its philosophy: true luxury isn’t about mass appeal—it’s about individual character.
Tourby’s ethos is grounded in transparency—not only literally through its skeletonized designs, but also through its pricing, manufacturing, and customer relationships. The brand doesn’t believe in inflated marketing budgets or vague heritage stories. Instead, it lets its watches speak, or rather, tick for themselves.
And with the Skeleton Ref. 3001.1, it speaks volumes.
Three Sizes, One Timeless Design
One of the most compelling aspects of the Tourby Skeleton is its adaptability. Offered in three case sizes—40 mm, 43 mm, and 45 mm—the Ref. 3001.1 caters to different wrist sizes and style preferences without compromising design integrity. Lug-to-lug dimensions vary accordingly: 48 mm for the 40 mm case, 50 mm for the 43 mm, and a substantial 52 mm for the 45 mm model.
Despite its vintage-inspired pocket-watch silhouette, the Skeleton wears with modern comfort. The case is crafted from high-grade stainless steel, fully polished to a mirror-like finish that plays beautifully with light and shadow.
It’s topped with a domed sapphire crystal, anti-reflective on both sides to reduce glare and enhance the depth of the skeletonized dial. On the reverse, the sapphire display back provides a crystal-clear view of the elaborately engraved movement within.
The case is robust enough for everyday wear, boasting 5 ATM water resistance (50 meters) and certified shock resistance (DIN 8308) and anti-magnetic protection (DIN 8309). While the Tourby Skeleton isn’t a sports watch, it is far from delicate. This is a daily wearable work of art.
This is a wristwatch that balances historical design cues with contemporary wearability, offering a comfortable 22 mm strap width across all sizes and a reassuring presence on the wrist.
Both the dial side and the caseback offer a full, unobstructed view of the movement. Unlike many skeletonized watches that retain a solid dial ring or plate, Tourby’s design is entirely openworked—a bold choice that demands flawless finishing.
The movement has been rhodium-plated, enhancing durability and adding a luminous silver sheen. Every visible component is engraved by hand with traditional motifs, giving the watch an antique yet timeless aesthetic, a rarity even in the luxury segment. No two pieces are alike—the hand-engraving process ensures that each of the ten examples is truly one of a kind. The design isn’t just ornamental—it reflects the watchmaker’s dedication to detail and tradition.
Skeletonization in Its Purest Form
Skeletonization is both a technical and artistic challenge. It involves removing just enough material to reveal the architecture of the movement without sacrificing its structural integrity. In lesser timepieces, skeletonization can feel gimmicky or superficial. But in the Tourby Skeleton Ref. 3001.1, it is authentic, balanced, and expressive.Both the dial side and the caseback offer a full, unobstructed view of the movement. Unlike many skeletonized watches that retain a solid dial ring or plate, Tourby’s design is entirely openworked—a bold choice that demands flawless finishing.
The movement has been rhodium-plated, enhancing durability and adding a luminous silver sheen. Every visible component is engraved by hand with traditional motifs, giving the watch an antique yet timeless aesthetic, a rarity even in the luxury segment. No two pieces are alike—the hand-engraving process ensures that each of the ten examples is truly one of a kind. The design isn’t just ornamental—it reflects the watchmaker’s dedication to detail and tradition.
The steel parts have been pearled, adding texture and contrast to the visual field. This interplay of materials and finishes is what gives the Tourby Skeleton such a mesmerizing presence. Whether viewed under a loupe or in natural daylight, the watch reveals new layers of detail with every glance.
Few watches offer such an immersive visual experience as the Tourby Skeleton. True skeletonization isn’t just about cutting away metal—it’s about revealing a hidden world of movement, balance, and harmony. Here, the movement is visible from both the front and the back, allowing the wearer to witness the interplay of mechanics from every angle.
This is transparency with purpose. A view into the heartbeat of a watch that is fully alive and breathtakingly honest.
Operating at 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz), the movement offers a power reserve of 50 hours and has been fine-adjusted in five positions to ensure chronometric stability, boasting an accuracy of -2/+8 seconds per day after casing.
Tourby’s interpretation of the movement, however, goes well beyond basic decoration. It has been elevated to haute horlogerie standards with a full suite of enhancements:
• 17 jewels ensure smooth mechanical operation
• 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz) gives the balance wheel a graceful, old-school rhythm
• 50-hour power reserve makes it practical for daily use
This is transparency with purpose. A view into the heartbeat of a watch that is fully alive and breathtakingly honest.
A Legendary Movement Reimagined
At the heart of the Tourby Skeleton beats a Top Grade manual-wind movement based on the ETA Unitas 6498-1 — a legendary caliber that has powered countless watches over the decades. Originally designed for pocket watches, the 6498-1 is large, stable, and extremely reliable—making it the perfect canvas for skeletonization and artistic finishing.Operating at 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz), the movement offers a power reserve of 50 hours and has been fine-adjusted in five positions to ensure chronometric stability, boasting an accuracy of -2/+8 seconds per day after casing.
Tourby’s interpretation of the movement, however, goes well beyond basic decoration. It has been elevated to haute horlogerie standards with a full suite of enhancements:
• 17 jewels ensure smooth mechanical operation
• 18,000 vibrations per hour (2.5 Hz) gives the balance wheel a graceful, old-school rhythm
• 50-hour power reserve makes it practical for daily use
• Adjusted in 5 positions, providing chronometer-level accuracy of -2/+8 seconds per day
Beyond its technical stats, the movement has been transformed visually, and it truly shines is in its finishing. Heat-blued screws and winding wheels provide brilliant bursts of color. The click mechanism, often neglected in watch finishing, has been hand-pearlized for aesthetic continuity.This level of refinement is almost never found in watches at this price point.
This is the kind of finishing typically reserved for pieces costing two to three times the price of the Tourby Skeleton.
Tourby doesn’t settle for good enough. It pursues perfection in every visible and invisible detail.
Signature Details That Set It Apart
It’s the details that elevate the Tourby Skeleton into the stratosphere of artistic horology. Consider the “Poires” hands, crafted from temperature-blued steel. Their classic shape and brilliant color offer both elegance and legibility. The hands stand out in sharp relief against the openworked dial, providing optimal readability despite the skeletonized design.The hands are temperature-blued in the traditional way—by heating steel to just over 290°C until it achieves a rich cornflower blue hue. This process not only improves corrosion resistance but also gives the hands an unmistakable elegance. And thanks to their classic shape, legibility remains excellent against the skeletonized background.
Each screw is also heat-blued and polished, giving the movement an almost architectural symmetry. Even the strap clasp has been finished in matching stainless steel and engraved with Tourby branding—an understated yet luxurious touch.
The sapphire crystal on the front is domed and treated with anti-reflective coating, ensuring that the movement remains the center of attention in any lighting condition. Meanwhile, the display back allows for an equally stunning rear view, showcasing the hand-engraved bridges and wheels—a breathtaking reward for the true enthusiast.
Luxury on the Wrist: Comfort Meets Craft
Despite its mechanical complexity, the Tourby Skeleton wears beautifully. Thanks to its carefully considered dimensions and high-quality materials, it provides both comfort and aesthetic balance. Whether you opt for the 40 mm, 43 mm, or 45 mm version, each size retains its vintage charm and modern precision.The watch is fitted with a genuine leather strap, custom-sized to the case and secured with a solid stainless steel clasp. The strap is soft yet durable, conforming over time to the wrist of the wearer. And with a standard 22 mm width, personalization is effortless for those who love to rotate their straps. A 22 mm genuine leather strap—supple, premium, and built for long-term wear.
Each timepiece ships in a handmade leather travel case, adding to the experience of unboxing a product that is as luxurious as it is exclusive.
Exclusivity Defined: A Rarity in Modern Watchmaking
Unlike luxury watches that boast limited production but produce thousands, the Tourby Skeleton Ref. 3001.1 is truly rare. Only 10 examples of the Tourby Skeleton (Ref. 3001.1) will ever be made. That’s not a marketing ploy—it’s a reflection of the time-intensive engraving process and the brand’s dedication to manual craftsmanship.Each piece is hand-assembled, regulated, and engraved by artisans who view their work as legacy. The hand-engraving alone demands an immense investment of time and skill, making mass production virtually impossible. Every single piece is a work of art, slightly different from the next—unique in character and soul. For collectors, this level of rarity combined with visual distinction makes the Tourby Skeleton a grail-worthy acquisition.
In an era of digital watch design and factory automation, the Tourby Skeleton timepiece represents a vanishing breed: the entirely human-made wristwatch.
Owning a Tourby Skeleton is not only a statement of taste but also a vote in favor of independent artisanship and mechanical purity.
The Buying Experience: Personal and Transparent
The Tourby Skeleton Ref. 3001.1 is priced at 4,500.00 Euro (NET, excl. VAT)—a figure that, considering the level of craftsmanship, represents exceptional value in haute horlogerie. Included in the price is free worldwide shipping, a 3–4 month delivery window, and personalized customer support. Buyers often engage directly with Tourby’s founder or watchmakers, adding an extra layer of intimacy and trust to the experience.Skeleton watches from major Swiss houses with comparable finishing typically retail for €10,000–€30,000 or more, and yet many do not match the level of hand-applied decoration or movement transparency found here.
Tourby prides itself on direct-to-customer service, bypassing retail markups and middlemen. This ensures not only better value but also a more personal buying experience, often including direct correspondence with the brand’s founder or watchmakers.
This is haute horlogerie without the pretension—just skill, soul, and integrity in every component.
This is haute horlogerie without the pretension—just skill, soul, and integrity in every component.
Who Is This Watch For?
The Tourby Skeleton Ref. 3001.1 is not a casual purchase—it is a connoisseur’s timepiece. It appeals to those who appreciate independent brands, understand the value of traditional finishing techniques, and crave true mechanical intimacy with their watches.Collectors will admire its rarity, while enthusiasts will relish its visible mechanics and wearable elegance. It’s also a compelling alternative to skeletonized offerings from major Swiss houses, often priced exponentially higher and lacking the same level of handcrafted detail.
If you’ve ever longed to own a watch that tells a story—not just of time, but of craftsmanship, commitment, and character—this is it.
Final Thoughts: A Wearable Ode to Time
The Tourby Skeleton Ref. 3001.1 is more than a luxury accessory. It is a celebration of human skill, a tribute to tradition, and a bold rejection of mass-produced monotony. It invites you to stop, to look, to understand the movement of time in a way that few modern watches do.With its hand-engraved movement, sapphire caseback, heat-blued accents, and classic proportions, this watch isn’t just worn—it’s experienced. It becomes a daily ritual, a conversation starter, and above all, a lifelong companion.
In a world obsessed with the future, Tourby dares to celebrate the past—engraved, skeletonized, and ticking proudly on your wrist.
If you’re looking for a timepiece that doesn’t just measure time, but honors it, your search may end here.
Keywords: Tourby Skeleton Ref. 3001.1, Tourby Skeleton watch review, Hand-engraved skeleton watch, Tourby ETA Unitas 6498-1, Limited edition German watch, Tourby manual wind skeleton, Tourby 40mm 43mm 45mm skeleton, Independent watchmaker Germany, Haute horlogerie skeleton timepiece, Tourby Watches 2025, Sapphire skeleton watch, Temperature blued hands watch, Collectible mechanical wristwatch, Vintage-inspired skeleton watch, Tourby handmade wristwatch.
[photo credits: Tourby / www.tourbywatches.com]
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