Tockr Limited C-47 Skeleton Watches

Tockr is a relatively new watchmaker that launched its first models, the C-47 Radial Engine Collection, in 2017. The watches paid homage to the WWII era C-47 aircraft with a radial engine motif, a plane that founder Austin Ivey’s grandfather flew during the war. Both Austin and his father became pilots as well, and all of the brand’s watches have a pilot theme. There are many design innovations within Tockr’s portfolio, such as the Air-Defender Lume series that feature luminescent hydro-dipped cases (an industry first). Tockr is now launching its first skeletonized C-47 variants in a very limited run of eight, making them both exclusive and visually complex. 

Skeletonized watches are nothing new, of course, but Tockr has maintained its signature aviation look while tastefully flaunting a Swiss automatic on both sides. The cushion-shaped case is 316L stainless steel and a reasonable 42mm in diameter. The angled knurling on the crown gives it an almost turbine appearance and water-resistance is rated at 50 metres. A machining of the case slopes inward to the front crystal and acts as the bezel, and both the front and rear crystals are sapphire with anti-reflective coatings. The caseback is secured with four screws and each edition is numbered from 1 to 8. The strap is hand-stitched calf leather with a second silicone band, and both have steel, signed pin buckles and quick release levers. 

There are two models with either a blue or black and bronze perimeter ring and inner grid. The perimeter ring has Arabic hour numerals and the inner grid continues the turbine-like aesthetic seen on the crown. The large central section displays the skeletonized automatic. Both models have matte grey hour and minute hands with white Super-LumiNova inserts, while the seconds hand has a red tip on the blue model and matching bronze tip on the black and bronze model. The movement in the black and bronze model has unique blacked-out bridges and a black open-worked rotor. The blue model has a more conventional gunmetal treatment on the front. The overall style reminds me a bit of the Oris Artix Skeleton (particularly with the black movement). 

A calibre STP 6-15 H6 automatic from Swiss Technology Production powers the watches, a slightly lesser-known alternative to ETA and Sellita. It has 26 jewels, beats at 28,800vph (4Hz) with a 44-hour power reserve. Functions include central hours, minutes and hacking seconds, and the movement is fully skeletonized. Seen from the caseback, the custom openworked rotor features Côtes de Genève with either a black coating or in steel. 

Both the blue and black and bronze models are limited to eight watches each and retail for USD 2,300, although there’s a discounted pre-order price of USD 1,599. Not bad for a well-executed skeletonized series with such limited production and Swiss automatics. For more information and to place an order, visit Tockr’s website.