Tockr is a relatively new watchmaker that launched its first models in 2017, the C-47 Radial Engine Collection. 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 silicon 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 case back, the custom open-worked 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.