Display cases, why should I care?

I used to want that display back but its changed now. My alpinist is a nice watch from the front butba display back is just pointless and adds unnecessary bulk to it.

I added one to a vintage king seiko and this I like because it has the history of being a hand built movement but the rest are just undecorated mass produced movements. Like you all about dials now

I don't really care about them but I find they are a cool magic trick to show to civilians if they ask about my watch. "Wowwwwww...."

I’m cool with a display case back, as long as it doesn’t cost any more than a solid case back. Then again, I was able to talk to my 5 year old today about how a watch works without batteries so there’s that advantage.

I hope you aren't final in your decision... as display casebacks are awesome to do macro shots of. 😉

Its not a dealbreaker to me if a watch doesn’t have a display caseback, but i sure do like them more when they do. Im a simple man, i like having the option to look at the movement. Its just an added bonus I appreciate.

If a thinner case back is without the display crystal i'd get that.

There isn't a single display case that can compete in awesomeness with that:

I like displaycases. Although im into watches a few years i still love it to put my watch off the wrist to look at the mechanics from time to time.

I am a firm believer of “form follows function”, so if a watch’s design goal is , for example, as a pilot watch, a dive watch or a chronograph going to the moon, then a display case back is not only unnecessary but might also make the watch too thick or comprise its anti magnetic or water proofing capabilities.

On the other hand, if the design goal for the watch is a grand complication or a showcase for the unique feature for its movement by the watch maker, then a display back is not only desirable but also necessary to achieve that design goal.

I personally enjoyed a good display back as well. It challenges the manafacturer to pay more attention to their watches. Not just about the dial and case but also on their movements too.

I’m the same. I have no interest in looking at a watch’s movement.

I couldn’t even tell you off the top off my head which of my watches has a display caseback

Hehe, ok then, your mind is made up. 😜

Will just leave these here hehe...

*Photos not mine.

@nooski and @Rarias also have a good number of cool macro shots of their watch display caseback. 😉

My nicest watch, Seamaster 300 (heritage) I bought specifically because it's pretty innocuous from the front but has arguably the best mass produced movement and it can be seen through the display caseback. 🤓

Not a deal breaker but I sure prefer display case backs. I have the habit of taking the watch out and playing with the rotor and looking at the case back when talking on the phone.

I tend to gravitate towards watches with display casebacks. Don't know but when I look at the solid casebacks on some of my pieces, I keep wondering what or how it looks underneath, if that makes sense. 😁

Personally, I find what's inside as interesting as what's on the outside. At the high end there's as much, if not more, artistry in finishing the movement as there is in finishing the dial. If an artist has spent hours creating something beautiful then why hide it?

To be honest I find all movements have a beauty, even the workhorse stuff. But then again, I spend most of my spare time with my nose 3 inches from a Seiko 7005 (etc) so I'm not normal.

I enjoy looking at display casebacks. To me it is what make the mechanical watch so magical. When discuss my watches at work, people are amazed when they see how the watch actually works. That being said, an engraved watch for a special occasion is even more special. Interesting topic.

My Oris Pointer Date has a functional reason: power reserve indicator 😅

See through caseback is only cool when you first get into watches, if you get a high end well finished movement, or if the movement itself offer functions like power reserve

I am no lover, especially as you can't see them when they are the wrist. On dive watches it's just daft. The only one I really appreciate is on my Seagull 1963

I ADORE an exhibition caseback. Especially when it comes to Chronographs! I love seeing the column wheel, lateral clutch/vertical clutch, balance wheel & gear train, etc. I love learning how things work and the display case-back helps me do that. But it doesn’t prevent me from owning a watch with a solid case back. I have plenty of watches with no exhibition backs. And I love them dearly. Perfect example is my Daytona. I’m absolutely smitten with the thing but no way to see the movement. But I will say that I put my name down immediately for the new Platinum version with its exhibition case back. I’m hoping Rolex decides to put their new open exhibition design on the rest of their Professional Series watches. The one watch I own that spanks the rest of em is my Grand Seiko SLGH005 White Birch with their new 80 Hour Hi-Beat 9SA5 movement. The movement finishing can keep up with the best in the business like JLC. Especially when you consider the sub $10k price point.

I'm with you, all my watches are display back free... I think they only reason for a display back is if it's something really special and beautiful like A.Lange, Patek calender or complicated, if it's a plain Rolex or ETA or selita they are pretty boring and ugly, it's equivalent to having a fidget spinner, just to see the rotor move around

Well it all comes down to movement. F.i. I would love to see my Alpinist with nice SS caseback instead of saphire as looking at that 6R movement hurts my eyes. On other hand having closed caseback on ALS Datograph would be just stupid and wrong

On a dress watch, I NEED a display case back. Half of the reason I pick a dress watch is movement finishing. On anything else, I’d probably rather not have one to keep the case thinner.

I didn't care until I saw this puppy 😅

I certainly understand people’s preference either way. I’m in between. I like my dive watches to always have a solid back. My U50 wouldn’t feel right with a display back. Otherwise, it depends on the movement. I don’t want to see a Seiko 4R/6R but a nicely finished 2824 or Peseux 7001 is nice to look at in my opinion. I do find myself glancing at my movements from time to time and I enjoy the view.

Relevant story: The original owner of my Sinn 256Ty requested a display back when he bought it and Sinn did it for him, throwing on a 356 display back (256 was always a solid back). Hence, this 256 model has a 356 serial number. I think it’s the only 256Ty with a display back. I wish I had a better picture. Sinn did a nice job on this 7750.

I think it really depends on the case back . . .the Nomos is nice, but there are def some case backs that are equal to or perhaps even outshine the dial . . . I think some companies like Glaushutte Original recognized this and offered the inverse, which flips the watch on its head. And that's just GO . . . move up a tier horology wise and I'd wear my watch backwards all day long.

You want thinness? 😛

That’s because seagull movements are very nice looking.

An exhibition caseback is a plus for me. I like looking at the movements and their operation.