Philipp Plein The Skull PWAAA2324 Men's Watch Grey Dial Silicone Strap

The $kull PWAAA2324: a rose gold skull on a gunmetal background

The Philipp Plein The $kull PWAAA2324 watch reinterprets the brand's emblem in a cooler palette than usual. Its 44 mm round case in steel receives an IP gunmetal treatment, a deep anthracite grey that shifts in tone depending on the light. At the centre of the guilloché grey dial, a faceted 3D skull in rose gold draws the eye without ever shouting: this is the most understated version of this Philipp Plein skull watch, designed for those who find gold too showy.

• Case: round, 44 mm, IP gunmetal anthracite grey steel.
• Bezel: knurled, engraved with PHILIPP PLEIN and THE $KULL.
• Dial: grey guilloché, faceted 3D rose gold skull.
• Movement: Seiko Y121 quartz, hours, minutes and seconds, no date.
• Strap: grey silicone, pin buckle.
• Glass and water resistance: mineral, 50 m (5 ATM).
• Warranty: 2 years, brand new and authentic watch.

Gunmetal, full black or gold: placing the PWAAA2324 within the Skull family

The Philipp Plein Skull collection comes in several looks using the same 44 mm case. The PWAAA2324 occupies the place of the nuanced tone-on-tone style: grey on grey, with a single warm note provided by the rose gold skull. The PWAAA0721 takes the concept to full black, black skull included, while the PWAAA0221 plays maximum contrast between a yellow gold case and a black dial.

• PWAAA2324: gunmetal and rose gold, the compromise between discretion and signature style.
• PWAAA0721: all black, studded bezel, for a stealthy look.
• PWAAA0221: yellow gold and black, the most eye-catching version.
• Common features: quartz without date, 44 mm, 5 ATM, 2-year warranty.

Another detail that sets it apart: the knurled, engraved bezel replaces the studs found on most other Skull watches. The rim thus appears more technical, almost mechanical, and the two inscriptions PHILIPP PLEIN and THE $KULL read directly around the crystal, affirming the brand without adding ornament to the dial.

On the wrist: knurled bezel, anthracite grey and outfits

The engraved knurled bezel frames the dial like a crown, giving the 44 mm diameter a visual presence above average. On a wrist of 17 cm or more, the overall look remains balanced; on smaller wrists, the watch becomes the centrepiece of the outfit. Anthracite grey has a practical advantage: it works with denim, black and grey, and shows fine scratches less than a gold or mirror-polished case.

• Casual outfit: raw denim, black t-shirt, leather jacket or bomber.
• Smart casual: heather grey jumper or anthracite shirt, the rose gold skull ties in with a belt or copper-toned rings.
• Evening: the guilloché dial catches the light under ambient lighting.
• Avoid: knocks against door frames, as the knurled bezel is the first point of contact.

Caring for the guilloché, the knurled bezel and the grey silicone

The relief of the knurled bezel and the faceted skull traps dust more than a smooth case. A soft, dry toothbrush is enough to clear the knurling and edges without risk to the IP treatment. The grey silicone strap, lighter than a black one, shows marks more readily: regular cleaning keeps its original shade.

• Bezel and skull: soft brush, dry, then microfibre cloth.
• Grey strap: lukewarm soapy water, rinse, dry flat, once a month.
• Stubborn stains: avoid alcohol and stain removers, which dull silicone.
• Battery: replacement by a watchmaker, with seal check to maintain the 5 ATM rating.

Delivered brand new, authentic and with a 2-year warranty, the PWAAA2324 is an ideal entry point into the The $kull universe for those who prefer nuance to flashiness.