A Sci-Fi Engine for Your Wrist -The Berny AM198MNY Skeleton

The watch world can sometimes feel a bit repetitive. If you walk into any high street jeweller, you will likely see rows of the same classic round cases, minimalist dials, and traditional hands. While there is certainly a place for classic elegance, sometimes you want something that breaks the mould entirely. This is where futuristic, avant-garde watches come into play.

These timepieces abandon conservative aesthetics in favour of bold angles, asymmetric layouts, and industrial elements that look like they belong in a sci-fi film. They do not just tell the time; they serve as a piece of kinetic art on your wrist. Wearing a futuristic watch is an expression of individuality, showing that you appreciate complex engineering and modern design. It is a refreshing departure from the ordinary, offering a visual excitement that standard watches simply cannot match. For those who love technology and cyberpunk aesthetics, these watches are the ultimate wrist companion.

To appreciate this watch, we first need to look at the brand behind it. Berny was established back in 1995, and over the last few decades, they have built a solid reputation for delivering highly spec’d watches at incredibly competitive price points. Based in China, Berny has evolved from producing simple quartz watches to creating highly creative automatic pieces. They are particularly well known in the watch community for using premium materials like titanium and sapphire crystal while keeping their prices accessible to everyone. They are a brand that loves to experiment, often blending rugged utility with striking, unconventional designs.

This brings us directly to the Berny AM198MNY, a watch that completely embraces this futuristic philosophy. When I first laid eyes on this model, I was immediately drawn to its unapologetic aesthetic. It is a timepiece that refuses to blend in, boasting an open-worked skeleton design that looks like a miniature engine block strapped to your arm.

This particular model represents a daring step for Berny, moving away from safe, traditional designs and diving headfirst into the world of cyber-mechanical styling. It is loud, proud, and designed to get people talking. In this review, I want to take a closer look at how this watch is constructed, how it behaves in everyday life, and whether this sci-fi look translates into a comfortable daily wear. Let us dive into the details of this eye-catching machine.

The specifications

Let us start by breaking down the specifications and the design of this striking piece. The case is constructed from 316L stainless steel, which gives it a robust and premium feel. In terms of dimensions, the case measures 42mm in diameter, with a lug-to-lug distance of 50mm and a thickness of 12.5mm. While these numbers might suggest a large watch, the clever case geometry helps it sit beautifully. Protecting the face of the watch is a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal lens, which is an outstanding feature at this price point.

The real star of the show is the dial, which features a mesmerizing Marrs Green colour. This turquoise shade is incredibly vibrant and contrasts beautifully with the industrial elements of the skeletonized design. Looking through the dial, you can see the intricate gears and moving parts of the Japanese Miyota 82S0 automatic movement. This open-work style offers an unusual way to display time. Instead of a standard layout, it uses a unique triangular index arrangement that gives the face a real sense of depth.

The hands are bold and filled with high-intensity Super Luminous material, ensuring that you can read the time easily in the dark. Under normal light, the markers remain quite subtle, but they emit a sharp, long-lasting glow once the sun goes down. Turning the watch over reveals an exhibition caseback, allowing you to admire the movement from both sides. The Miyota 82S0 movement itself is a reliable workhorse, featuring 21 jewels and supporting both self-winding and hand-winding. To wrap up the physical specs, the watch offers 50 metres of water resistance, meaning it can easily handle rain, splashes, and the odd accidental dunk without any issues.

On the Wrist

Now, let us talk about how this watch actually feels on the wrist. I have a 6.25-inch wrist, which is on the slimmer side, so I was initially a bit apprehensive about the 42mm case and the 50mm lug-to-lug distance. However, I was pleasantly surprised by how well it wears. Because the lugs curve downwards elegantly, the watch hugs the wrist nicely without looking ridiculously oversized. It has a great presence, feeling rugged and substantial without being overly heavy. The 90-gram weight is distributed evenly, making it easy to wear all day long.

The watch comes fitted with a lightweight nylon strap that is designed for active wear. This strap is fantastic because it is breathable, quick-drying, and prevents that sticky feeling you often get with leather or rubber on hot days. It makes the watch feel incredibly sporty and ready for action. If you want to change the look, a great alternative would be a thick, matte black leather strap with matching Mars Green stitching. This would instantly dress the watch up, highlighting the cyber-mechanical elements of the dial while making it suitable for a smart-casual evening out.

As for where to wear it, this watch feels right at home in casual, urban environments. It is the perfect companion for a weekend outing, a tech meetup, or just hanging out with friends. Wearing it makes me feel incredibly stylish and a bit rebellious. It is a real conversation starter, and I constantly find myself looking down not just to check the time, but to watch the balance wheel spinning away. It brings a sense of fun and mechanical appreciation to the daily routine, making even the most mundane days feel a little more futuristic. It is a watch that injects a bit of sci-fi energy into your wardrobe, and I love the confident vibe it projects.

Concluding Thoughts

To wrap things up, we must address the incredible value on offer here, which is the price. This watch retails for around £107, which is frankly astonishing. When you consider that you are getting a reliable Japanese automatic movement, a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, and a highly detailed skeleton dial, the value proposition is off the charts. Many microbrands charge three times this amount for similar specifications, and they rarely offer a design that is this daring. It proves that you do not need to spend a fortune to get a high-quality mechanical timepiece.

So, who is this watch actually for? I think it is perfect for watch enthusiasts who are tired of the same old dive watches and want something unique to spice up their collection. It is also a fantastic choice for fans of sci-fi, cyberpunk culture, or industrial design who appreciate seeing the inner workings of their gear. It is probably not the best choice for someone looking for a discreet, formal dress watch, but that was never the intention here. This is a watch designed to stand out.

Ultimately, it is incredibly refreshing to see a company like Berny pushing the boundaries of budget watchmaking. Instead of playing it safe with another boring Rolex homage, they have created something original, futuristic, and genuinely exciting. The AM198MNY is a testament to the fact that affordable watches can be incredibly cool. It is bold, it is fun, and it is a brilliant example of modern watch design done right. Berny has created a real winner here, and I cannot wait to see what they design next.

For more information please visit: https://www.bernywatch.com/en-gb/products/mens-skeleton-mechanical-watch-automatic-luxury-timepiece-am198mny

Technical Specifications

• Movement:MIYOTA 82S0 AUTOMATIC

• Case Material:Stainless Steel

• Case Diameter:42mm

• Lug to Lug Distance:50 mm

• Case Thickness:12.5mm

• Caseback:Exhibition

• Strap Material:Genuine Leather

• Strap Width:22mm

• Maximum Wearable Length:

• Lens Material:Sapphire

• Luminous Level:Super

• Water Resistant:50Meters(5ATM)

• Weight:90 g