It goes without saying: 2020 was far from an ideal year for most of us. Looking back, however, it was also a year that brought many noteworthy watch launches despite the huge obstacles posed by the pandemic and its effects on the world economy. As we look ahead hopefully to 2021, it’s time for our annual look back at some of those timepieces, in various popular categories. Today, we showcase the most head-turning skeleton watches that launched in 2020.

Angelus traces its origins to 1891 but its most recent revival began in 2015, after a long post-Quartz Crisis hiatus. Its U23 models ? eight unique pieces, with openworked flying tourbillon calibers housed in high-tech carbon-titanium cases and featuring colorways inspired by classic cocktails ? will make you want to raise a toast. They’re equipped with the skeletonized Caliber A-250, noted for its prominent flying tourbillon and mainplate made from a composite material called Carbon Thin Ply (CTP), and feature skeletonized, PVD-treated titanium bridges, each in colorful executions intended to evoke a popular cocktail (pictured is the “Tequila Sunrise” edition). The 42-mm cases combine a case middle and back made of CTP with lugs made of titanium. The movement holds a 90-hour power reserve in its openworked barrel, placed unconventionally at 12 o?clock, while the flying tourbillon at 6 o?clock, sans an upper bridge, appears to float freely in its large window. Discover all eight of the Angelus Cockt...