Spooky Season is upon us! Before we strip away the skeletons and don the Christmas hats, allow me to take you on a journey through all the very best monstrous mash-ups of horology and horror!
1 – Spinnaker x seconde/seconde Fleuss ‘Fifty Phantoms’ & ‘No Apparitions’
Arguably the best Halloween-themed watch out there, Spinnaker has joined forces once again with seconde/seconde! For those who don’t know, seconde/seconde (AKA Romaric André) has built up a reputation from becoming a self-proclaimed ‘watch vandal,’ delighting in decorating vintage watches with a non-serious flair, and creating watch concepts on his Instagram page informed by current events.
André’s work nowadays is beloved by the watch community, having materialised in an innumerable amount of collaborative efforts between the likes of Timex, Squale, Airain, Christopher Ward, and even Australian brand Bausele!
One of his best works to date is his longstanding partnership with Hong Kong-based microbrand Spinnaker. This resulted in the creation of the wildly successful Fleuss ‘Fifty Phantoms’ watch last Halloween (A pun on Blancpain’s ever-popular Fifty Fathoms). So successful, in fact, that the Spinnaker website and pre-order emails completely bricked due to traffic, prompting both the brand and seconde/seconde to issue an apology, as well as a new pre-order window for a non-limited blue version of the watch.
This year, Spinnaker’s Fleuss ‘Fifty Phantoms’ makes its spooky return! It’s got a new Halloween-appropriate purple/orange paint job, and is releasing alongside a new version titled ‘No Apparitions.’ This new piece is complete with the signature adorable Fifty Phantoms on the bezel and a crossed-out yellow ghost, paying homage to the dive watches of old – particularly that of Tornek-Rayville.
Both watches stand at a universally wearable 40mm, and uses a reliable no-date Seiko NH35 movement and rated to 150m of water resistance. It’s a timepiece that is absolutely worth looking into, as the previous versions sold for just about USD$445 (approx. AU$700). That is, if you were quick enough to get into the pre-order window…
Availability: Available for pre-order until Oct 30, 8:00 PM AEST. Find out more at Spinnaker’s Official Website.
2 – Mido Big Date Commander ‘Circulo de Luz’
If you’re from Mexico, South America or Spain, then you may have heard about Mido and their watches. Founded in 1916 in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, the reputation that Mido has in the Latin/American market is almost similar to that of established brands in other countries. It seems that in Mexico is where Mido has found the most success, as annually since 2020 they have released incredible watches that celebrate Dia de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.
Celebrated on November 1 and 2, those who observe Dia de Los Muertos dress up as the dead and celebrate in the streets similarly to Halloween. However, beneath the amusing tone lies a sense of deep remembrance as celebrants pay tribute to the departed, whether that be losses in the family, close friends, or locals and other respected figures.
To commemorate the occasion for this year, Mido paid tribute to the traditional holiday once again with the Commander Circulo de Luz, or Circle of Light. Since its conception in 2018, the 40mm Mido Commander has proven to be an ideal candidate for all occasions, making it perfect as a carrier for the Circulo de Luz’ many design features. Included with the Mido Commander framework is a modified date disc, a black-PVD case, and the Swatch Group’s Powermatic 80 movement – an affordable juggernaut in the Swiss watch industry.
However, the star of the show here is obvious: the brightly coloured Calavera (Sugar Skull) that adorns the dial of every Mido Dia de Los Muertos release. At night, however, is when the real show happens, as the watch has been filled to the brim with multiple colours of lume! For those that wish to celebrate the Day of the Dead, look no further than Mido to be your horological weapon of choice in this matter.
Availability: Limited to 777 pieces, International RRP CHF1,400. Find out more at Mido’s International Website.
3 – Schaumburg Watch ArtiSculpt MooN Werewolf
You’ve probably heard me go on ad nauseam about the quality of German watchmaking, but I wouldn’t be saying it if it wasn’t true. Proof of this is the very criminally underrated Schaumburg Watch, who are based in the titular district of Lower Saxony. Though they aren’t at the calibre of more popular legends like A. Lange & Sӧhne or Lang & Heyne, the body of work that they have built up whilst using third-party movements is practically unheard of among other similarly sized watch brands.
The MooN family of watches are a particular standout in the Schaumburg Watch lineup, exemplifying the unique design and precise craftsmanship that is prevalent throughout the German brand. Their Master Perpetual MooN series, for example, only uses either meteorite or aventurine in its dials to ensure that every watch has been made to a high artistic standard.
Related Reading: What Is A Moonphase Complication, And How Does It Work?
Where they have truly outdone themselves is in the use of hand-engraved 925 sterling silver, resulting in the limited edition ArtiSculpt MooN Werewolf timepieces. The watch, standing at 43mm case diameter, is about as scary as a watch can get! The engraved dial sports the visceral depiction of a crazed werewolf, backed by a golden moonphase complication complete with the engraving of a giant bat.
Even when limited in the movement department, Schaumburg Watch has strived to go the extra mile to dazzle all manner of watch enthusiasts with the MooN Werewolf. Though rather pricey for a relatively under-the-radar brand, if you’re looking to tantalise and terrify at your next watch meetup, then perhaps consider picking this one up.
Availability: Limited to 25 pieces, International RRP €9,105 incl. VAT. Find out more at Schaumburgwatch.net
4 – Sarpaneva Supermoon
Speaking of left-field brands and moonphase complications, another watch that ticks off both boxes is the Supermoon collection from Finnish brand Sarpaneva. While not strictly a Halloween watch, I decided to include Sarpaneva for two reasons.
The first reason is their horological prowess. Sarpaneva and sister brand S.U.F. Helsinki were both founded by Stepan Sarpaneva in 2003/04. This would come after he had spent extensive time working under incredible brands such as Piaget and Parmigiani Fleurier, as well as legendary master watchmakers Vianney Halter, Christophe Claret and fellow Finn Kari Voutilainen.
The noveau-Gothic design of the Sarpaneva Supermoon would first come about in the Korona K3 collection, which the Supermoon pays tribute to in both aesthetics and function. Both the K3 and Supermoon use an engraved golden double moonphase complication, sitting below a uniquely skeletonised dial, and encased in a distinctive 42mm wide, 46mm long, 11.4mm thick case. The Sarpaneva Supermoon is powered by the Swiss-made Soprod A10 automatic movement, which also includes the in-house moonphase complication also designed by Stepan.
That brings us to the other reason why I included it: It’s creepy! I absolutely adore Stepan Sarpaneva’s unique approach to watch design, but I have to admit – that engraved face of the moon gives me a bit of the chills. It’s like an artistic depiction of that Moon from Majora’s Mask, constantly watching you before it annihilates Clock Town.
At the end of the day, though, while it’s not a Halloween watch per se, the Sarpaneva Supermoon collection is available for the watch enthusiasts of a particular taste. The design is singular among other independent watch brands, and stands alongside horological heroes like Kari Voutilainen as part of a small yet prominent Finnish force in the watchmaking industry. Just don’t get caught staring at that moonphase for too long, though – it’s definitely staring back.
Availability: Limited to 12 pieces per colour (blue/grey), International RRP €23,845 incl. VAT. Find out more about it on Sarpaneva’s official website.
5 – M.A.D. Editions M.A.D.1 S
Again, this watch isn’t strictly Halloween themed, but I’m sure you gave me a pass for covering the Sarpaneva too, right? Okay, thanks! I’m just assuming you did.
Anyhow, M.A.D. Editions was founded from the mind of MB&F’s Maximillian Büsser in 2021, as a response to the frustrations that not everyone could afford their incredible – and incredibly expensive – ‘horological machines.’ As part of the M.A.D. Gallery, a self-described ‘universe of kinetic art,’ the M.A.D.1 series was launched the same year to provide the wonder of MB&F’s insane mechanical know-how at a more accessible price point.
Related Reading: MB&F – Forward Motion at the M.A.D Gallery
The four editions of the M.A.D.1 were met with almost universal acclaim by the watch community, which perhaps motivated MB&F to release an all-new version at the 2024 Geneva Watch Days, equipped with a slimmer frame and a Swiss-made La Joux-Perret G101 movement.
Related Reading: MB&F’s M.A.D.1 is Now Slimmer & Swiss!
The driver’s style time display in conjunction with the free-spinning, triple battleaxe automatic rotor make for a menacing, alien design that’s both strangely familiar and extremely fun to wear. Trust us, we know: Chamath and Sam both got ones for themselves at Geneva Watch Days, and Sam even wrote a hands-on review about the piece.
Related Reading: REVIEW: Hands On With The M.A.D.1 S
Additionally, I definitely didn’t snatch up Chamath’s one for myself to enjoy over the weekend, which gives me the confidence to say that it’s surprisingly wearable and incredibly distracting. As a kid that grew up around fidget spinners, the M.A.D.1 S is exemplary of how we never lose the enjoyment of playing with toys when we grow up – the toys we love just get more expensive. I wouldn’t know anything about that, though, as I definitely do not have Chamath’s one on my wrist right now.
Availability: Available only by timed raffle, International RRP CHF2,900. Find out more at the M.A.D. Gallery.
6 – Hublot Spirit of Big Bang x Depeche Mode
You’re probably not surprised to see that Hublot has made it to this list, but you’re probably surprised that it took me this long to talk about them. The masters of extremes, the Nyon-based brand has done it all, from using a beat-up photo of Bernie Ecclestone in their advertising to even making a watch out of denim jeans.
However, today’s main focus is the second collaboration between the LVMH brand and the Electro/Dance-Pop band Depeche Mode. Assembled as Composition of Sound in 1980, Depeche Mode would go on to help define the landscape of 80s English electronic and synth pop with songs like Just Can’t Get Enough and Enjoy the Silence reaching global success.
Since 2010, the band has maintained a longstanding partnership with Hublot, who have released collaborative limited-editions to accompany every single Depeche Mode tour since then. Together, they have raised over USD$2.3 million for charities such as The Teenage Cancer Trust and charity:water thanks to their collective efforts.
While audacious in its own right, the newest Spirit of Big Bang x Depeche Mode is rather minimalist. Standing at 42mm in case diameter, this watch is powered by the classic HUB1710 movement with a 4Hz (28,800VpH) beat rate and a 50-hour power reserve.
It has also been constructed entirely out of sleek black ceramic, sporting a bezel of black ceramic pyramid studs, accompanied by a similarly studded black rubber strap. Similarly to Mido, the star of the show here is the black skull embedded into the watch’s dial.
This is where the Halloween themes kick in, as the watch had been made as a nod to their latest album, Memento Mori. An edgy album name requires an equally edgy design to back it up, so for both the watch and the band to use the Latin phrase ‘Remember to Die’ is definitely an intense choice. It’s pretty metal for a pop band, if I say so myself.
Availability: Limited to 100 pieces, Australian RRP AU$50,800. Find out more at Hublot’s official website.
7 – Bell & Ross BR-01 Cyber Skull Bronze
Bell and Ross in recent years has progressively come out of the woodwork. While they still produce timepieces inspired by onboard flight instruments – a style as utility-driven as it is campy – the brainchild of Bruno Belamich and Carlos Rosillo has begun to produce more contemporary timepieces of a futuristic flair. Even as recently as 2024 have the Parisian brand delved into this aesthetic, as demonstrated when Matt got his hands on the BR-03 Cyber Ceramic watch.
Related Reading: REVIEW: Hands On With The Bell & Ross Cyber Ceramic
However, there exists a collection within Bell & Ross that is somehow ever more ostentatious than the one Matt got to take for a spin.
Half Halloween, half Terminator, with a touch of Pimp My Ride: the BR-01 Cyber Skull Bronze is a shoo-in for your next Halloween celebration, albeit far into the future. The skull motif has been present in Bell & Ross timepieces as far back as 2015, with the ‘cyber’ element not being factored into the watch’s design until the end of the 2010s.
And that’s a good thing, too, as the original skull watches felt a bit too campy for my liking. The Cyber Skull aesthetic ironically helps to restrain the watch, allowing it to extend beyond being an expensive Halloween accessory. The bronze case, while not as illustrious as gold, adds a sense of refinement and class to an otherwise crazy statement piece.
Meanwhile, the in-house BR-CAL.210 movement offers some horological meat to the bones of the BR-01 Cyber Skull (pun fully intended). The skull, seemingly laughing in the face of death, is a stark reminder of the wearer’s inevitable fate. Yet, even with its spooky subtext, it is quite adorable, and has the propensity to be thoroughly enjoyed by its wearer before their time is up.
Availability: Limited to 500 pieces, Australian RRP AU$18,100. Find out more at Bell & Ross’ official website.
8 – Konstantin Chaykin Wristmons Joker Clown
Finally, I’ve saved the best for last. Russian watchmaker, inventor and all-around madman Konstantin Chaykin has been making headlines as of late, which is absolutely deserved should you know his reputation. His most recent horological transgression (in the best way!) was smoking both BVLGARI and Richard Mille in the race for the world’s thinnest watch, thanks to the introduction of the ThinKing at Geneva Watch Days 2024.
Related Reading: GENEVA WATCH DAYS: Konstantin Chaykin’s ThinKing About Breaking a World Record! (Live Pics)
However, what is likely his most popular invention is that of the Wristmons collection – a zany series of hour/minute/moonphase watches that take on the form of goofy cartoon faces. If you want a functioning mechanical watch that looks like a Zebra, a Dia de Los Muertos Calavera, DC’s Joker, or even a Despicable Me Minion, Konstantin Chaykin has you covered.
For Halloween, though, it felt most appropriate to pick the limited edition Wristmons series that Chaykin created in synchronicity with the 2017 movie adaptation of Stephen King’s IT. The 42mm diameter, 13.7mm thick watch was delicately designed to resemble horror icon Pennywise the Clown, as played by actor Bill Skarsgård in what would be my personal favourite book-to-movie adaptation of all time. Everything from Pennywise’s appearance in the film was taken into consideration, from his garish yellow eyes to the unsettling red smile that stretches above his eyes.
Granted, the watch version of Pennywise is far less menacing than how he was in the film, but additional details were also taken in consideration, lest the wearer forget who exactly they were dealing with. The closed case back, for example, features a single balloon, Pennywise’s weapon of choice to lure unsuspecting children to their doom; and production was limited to just 27 pieces, indicative of the years it takes for Pennywise to return to Derry, Maine and continue his reign of terror.
This is by far my favourite watch on this list, both horologically and from a design standpoint. It’s taken my favourite book-to-film adaptation of all time, and visualised it in a way that it has effectively become my favourite book-to-film-to-watch adaptation of all time. Not confusing at all, I’m sure. On a sidenote: if you haven’t seen or read IT, I would highly advise you give the film a watch and the book a read – that is, if you can stomach horror movies, or the absolute filth that occurs near the end of Chapter 21…
