Patrimony Squelette Diamond Yellow Gold Watch 36003

Skeleton watches are everywhere now, but pieces like this remind you they weren’t always so easy to make.

Vacheron Constantin’s Patrimony Squalette ref. 36003 comes from a time when opening up a movement meant hours of handwork, not computer-guided machining. The manually wound Caliber 1006 is pierced, engraved, and finished by hand until the movement itself becomes the dial. Blackened leaf hands provide a crisp point of reference, while a brushed chapter ring with slim hour markers and a diamond-set outer minute track frames the openworked display.

At just 33 mm across and only 4mm thick, the 18K yellow gold case wears with remarkable lightness. That slim profile only makes the hand-finished movement even more compelling.

This is a pre-owned Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Squelette 18K Yellow Gold Watch 36003. It is has an aftermarket buckle, and is accompanied by a gift box.