The Valjoux-powered Scheletrato is back in the Arsène Lippens collection for a time-limited drop.
Available in two colourways – iron grey and powder blue – the Scheletrato Opaco measures in at 39mm.
The order window is open between the 23rd of February and the 3rd of March, 2026, and the watch is priced at CHF 4,350.
Celebrating the success of their limited collaboration with Italian streetwear brand Forget About Me, Arsène Lippens is taking another stab at the Scheletrato, their skeletonised, Valjoux-powered chronograph. This new edition, the Scheletrato Opaco, is pretty much identical to its predecessor, save for the lack of F.A.M. branding on the dial and a change from blue leather to a sailcloth strap. Granted, Arsène Lippens does now offer a second colourway, tweaking the colour wheel ever so slightly to a powdery blue for the dial and sub-dial surround.
Let’s start with a closer look at those dials. Immediately, it’s obvious that Arsène Lippens wanted to show off that skeletonised Valjoux calibre as much as possible, reducing the visual weight of the four sub-dials as much as possible. A curious feature of this Valjoux variant is that it features a date sub-dial, rather than a date window, a change that’s most welcome in a layout like this. Whether you go for the blue or grey “dial”, the constant is that legibility is really quite poor… But that’s not really the point of a watch like this, anyway. The stick hands are finished well, with a pleasant polished curve, but they get completely lost against the light grey sandblasted surfaces of the movement.
The 39mm steel case is an example of many well-considered design choices. Starting with the double-stepped bezel – it’s become a brand signature shared across all of its collections – it also does a great job of reducing the unavoidable bulk that comes with the territory of a 7.9mm thick movement. Overall, the case measures 13.5mm thick, which is as thin as it gets with an automatic Valjoux, and, combined with a 45.5mm lug-to-lug length, will make for a decent wearing experience.
While fully polished throughout, I really do like how the case has been designed. The finishing is in line with its 1940s origins, and small details like the indent on the inside of the lugs that gives them a more accentuated curvature are pleasant (and at this price point, expected). While Arsène Lippens doesn’t position this as a sporty watch, the Scheletrato Opaco still has 50 metres of water-resistance, which is plenty for what it’s meant for.
A quick word on the strap/bracelet variants: Arsène Lippens offers the new Opaco with either a dial colour-matching sailcloth or a multi-link beads-of-rice bracelet. I’d most certainly opt for the latter purely because of the looks, though the former is equipped with (very slightly) curved spring bars – another considerate design choice.
We’ll spend the most time talking about the drawcard of the Scheletrato Opaco, which is, without a doubt, its movement. For a (really) long time, the Valjoux/ETA 7750 was a ubiquitous choice when it came to chronographs, with its many variants featured in everything from $500 Swiss Army monsters to respected IWC and Omega chronos. With supply being effectively wiped out, prices climbed, and the rise of challengers like the Sellita SW500 and La Joux-Perret L100 offered better consumer-facing specs like higher power reserves and a column wheel, most brands understandably moved away from the 7750.
This meant that if you want to make a somewhat approachably priced Swiss chronograph with a skeletonised movement, you’d be in trouble, as neither of the aforementioned Valjoux alternatives offers that. Sure, you could go the Norqain route and have something Sellita make you something custom-designed, but the SW562 base is not really in the spirit of classical skeletonisation. You’re left with the few 7750 skeleton variants out there, which have skyrocketed in price – a single unit goes for ~A$2,000, some four times more than an SW500.
The result? A well-designed watch with a legendary movement, but at a price that makes you scratch your head a little. Don’t get me wrong, the Valjoux is a legend for good reason, and even though its architecture is aging, is still a valid alternative when it comes to on-paper specs. While this example is fairly industrially finished, Arsène Lippens has at least given it a pretty rotor to help top up a 48-hour power reserve.
Arsène Lippens Scheletrato Opaco pricing and availability
The Arsène Lippens Scheletrato Opaco is a time-limited release, with the order books opening on the 23rd of February and closing on the 3rd of March, 2026. Find out more here. Price: CHF 4,350
Brand
Arsène Lippens
Model
Scheletrato Opaco
Reference Number
0764-BO
0764-GO
Case Dimensions
39.5mm (D) x 13.5mm (T) x 45.5mm (LTL)
Case Material
Stainless steel
Water Resistance
50 metres
Crystal(s)
Box-domed sapphire, AR-coating
Dial
Open, grey or blue highlights
Lug Width
20mm
Strap
Grey or blue sailcloth, curved spring bars, steel pin buckle
Beads of rice steel bracelet, butterfly clasp
Movement
Valjoux 7750, automatic
Power Reserve
48 hours
Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds, date sub-dial, chronograph
Availability
Limited order period between 23/02/26 and 03/03/26
Price
CHF 4,350