Case Backs Plain Decorated or See Though

Love a display case back. Seeing the magic happen can’t be beat.

Great question! I might be in the minority but I'd prefer solid casebacks with the exception if there is a decorated, well-finished movement. Between plain or decorated, I don't feel too strongly one way or another but I guess if I had the choice I probably lean plain just because it'd give me the option to get it engraved I suppose?

Don't get me wrong - I get that one of joys (for many other collectors) of mechanical watches is getting to see the movement do its magic but that's why I say I am probably in the minority. If they are automatics with exhibition casebacks, I just pray they have interesting rotors to dress them up if they are fairly basic movement, haha. Just my 2 cents.

I was thinking we all want to see the front but sometimes the back is a work of art. Some manufacturers are just plain we all know who and some take the case back design very seriously I have not seen this question here yet I'm sure we will get some lovely shots of the rear. 

Solid caseback for me......never been a fan of the exhibition caseback, find that it adds unnecessary girth to the size of the watch. I kindof like a sterile caseback with just a little bit of text on it the best. Love the caseback on my Pelagos.

I don't discriminate. I like all kinds of backs.

Wow that's what I'm taking about fantastic 

I kind of like all the approaches. Sure, it's fun to see the rotor spinning away, but you can't help but admire intricate engravings or the asceticism of a Rolex caseback.

I adore my Omega Speedmaster‘s and Seamaster‘s decorated back!

I guess it would depend on the movement.  A display back on a quartz would be ridiculously hilarious though…… 

Depends on the watch. If it’s a diver or any sport watch, I would rather have plain decorated. However, for dress watches I prefer see-through case back, specially if it‘s a mechanical movement or a micro rotor automatic.

It happens! I’ve seen some Seikos and Grand Seiko with that particular setup. The GS is not that bad tho! 
 

Completely depends for me. If the movement is ugly, or if the watch is truly a vintage piece, I'd rather forego a display case back, but if the movement looks nice, it's pretty dang cool to be able to see the thing ticking away. 

That actually looks ok with the tooling marks. 

Unless it's a highly decorated  patek JLC, or even GS.. lol but a Miyota or Seiko plastic movement nah.

I enjoy all types. My Seamaster 50th anny is a great embossed solid case  back, I love the clear display back of my Nomos and I recently built a Seiko mod and put a polished plain solid case back on it because the "event" is the whitebirch dial.

What I can't stand is a display back with writing, logos etc obscuring the view ...like GS does too often! 😂

exactly!!! Its such an annoying practice.. makes me want to open up the watch and scratch the paint off!! When its laser engrave etc, its even worse!

I like the see through without question.  Seeing the way the watch works to me is what makes owning a mechanical watch that much more special.  Also, to the average person, it is fun to see their expression when you show them the back of your watch with a see through exhibition. 

Exhibition of course !!

Plain honestly. I prefer quartz and I usually wear nato straps anyway, so I never even see the back of the watch.

See through!

I prefer them as thin as possible!

I love a display case back. Never been much for engraving. 

They are all amazing. From a Seiko movement still keeping time after 30 years to a Lange.

A see through case back can be a conversation starter with a non watch person- not a show off portal. Shame on us all.

solid and plain as a general rule, see-through is fine and sometimes desired, but for me only if it is a manual-wind or impressive chrono with excellent finishing

Very interesting to see the number of responses preferring plain casebacks. I gravitate towards display backs, even if they aren’t super well decorated i like to peek at the mechanics. Have had all 3 in the collection though.

Worst caseback award went to my former Breitling Averger II GMT… no one needs a confusing chart trying to show how many UK gallons translates to liters and back to US gallons, absurd…

Solid case back the the overriding reason being the save on space. I hear the transparent case back adds some mm to the thickness.

I despise solid case backs so much I even wrote about them here. https://medium.com/counterarts/an-open-letter-to-all-watch-brands-5e07ed04638b

I know it's a matter of preference but if I'm paying this much for a mechanical watch, I want to see the magic happen. 

Love solid plain casebacks the most. I can appreciate one with minimal text or engraving, but I usually can do without a giant creature or car embossed on the back. As far as display backs go, I never look at them on entry level watches but I love seeing highly decorated pieces, particularly manually wound ones 

Absolutely agree. A beautiful movement is worth seeing. A more workman like movement isn’t. My Rolex DJ & E have solid case backs. The movement’s are great but not pretty. The BB58 925 has an exhibition case back but the movement isn’t exactly a stunner!