Display casebacks on mid-tier watches. What do you prefer?

Slimmer solid caseback. I really don't know why exhibitionist case backs are deemed requisite instead of twee novelties. There really isn't all that much to see, and even if there were I just don't go around looking at the backsides of things that often.

Add emphasis for watches that are on a bracelet or are likely to be put on a strap. 

most mid-tier pieces do not require a display back, but its not a deterrent for me either way ✌️

Great space to show the character of the watch and once again the"Cool Factor"strikes. If its the movement that tells the story it needs to be admired for its beauty and engineering awesomeness. Nothing special about the movement?? Then add something to the case back like an informative engraving or an octopus, puffer, turtle or shark of whatever kind is left out there, even a ring life preserver for non-swimmig desk divers, you could literall do just about anything with the space, so do it!! 

Don't really see the need to worry about it unless your going to be looking at the back often? People go on about how cool or whatever they are to see the movement but if that floats your boat great if not just admire the front when you wear it instead

if its not a diver i like display caseback even if its a utilitarian movement. i just love to see the rotor and balance wheel do some action 😂. also im using it to explain to my friend about how mechanical and quartz watch different

I only like display backs on high end watches with well decorated movements, preferably manual wind or with a micro rotor. Pointless when you have a basic movement and can make the watch thicker. 

I always like to see a movement in action. High end decorated movements are beautiful to behold, but even a humble, undecorated movement is still a marvel of engineering, and fascinating to observe in motion. As far as I'm concerned, a movement doesn't need hand finished cotes de Geneve and perlage in order to be worthy of display. Engravings on casebacks are also nice to admire if done well. Neither is a deciding factor in any of my purchase decisions.

Pretty much exactly what I think as well. 

I know for most of us it’s not a big deal anymore, but try to remember the first time you saw a mechanical movement. Even if it was crappy, you didn’t know any better and it was mesmerizing. I think display casebacks, on mid and even lower tier watches, bring a lot of people into this hobby. So I vote for keep ‘em coming!

I'm a man that appreciate both the front view & back view. 

unless they’ve pimped out with perlage, Geneva stripes and maybe a skeletonmixed rotor - just keep it thin and closed.  Seeing a blank wall of metal behind an open case back  is like looking out your living room window at the side of a building 10 feet away 

Pointless feature.

I think this is the wrong audience to ask that question. Most of us have seen a ton of mid-tier movements, so we don't really care. For the majority of people who buy these watches, it will be their only watch, and seeing the movement is pretty cool, the first time you see one.

I think for the target audience (not us), they are very well received and desirable. 

I would prefer not to have one unless the movement is finished to a higher than usual standard 

I think to say its pointless is a little odd. Everything about most watches is pointless when you look at it this way because these days you can do all those essential things a watch does way cheaper. 

I think it is cool to see the movement and explain to the children what is going on with a movement. It makes no odds to me whether or is decorated or not which to be honest in my opinion is just embellishing to add to the perceived value.

Don't get me wrong high end movements look splendid and all that but I'm just as happy to see a workhorse one ticking away!

Very well said!

The description is the wrong way around. 

For me a see through caseback is quite nice to have but if the movement is rather plain and mostly obscured by a rotor anyway, a nice steel caseback like that of the longines can be very beautiful, too. Sometimes even better. 
On my Nomos, I opted for the sapphire caseback because I think the movement is so beautiful, that I want to flip the watch over and look at it from time to time. 
I personally don’t have to look at an undecorated sellita movement anymore. My appreciation of these has faded as I progressed with nicer movements. 
So for my Aquis I wouldn’t need the sapphire caseback anymore. But if you’re able to appreciate the mechanics and want to see it do its work that’s totally fine. 

Really up to preference but be aware that preference can and will change.

Good question! I like them, even in lower-end watches, but I do not have a strong preference. If the movement is decorated, even if only a little, like in the case of Oris models, I’m mostly a fan. 

I will say that having a display caseback on my Grand Seiko SGBW231 and my NOMOS Club definitely were influencing factors! 😁

I prefer an exhibition back -- that said, having a solid case back didn't stop me from buying my BB GMT.

So, just to clarify, the whole watches are technically pointless argument is one of the reasons why exhibition casebacks are a good thing?

Ok… it’s effectively scorched Earth, but if the whole concept is pointless we can do what we like. Watches are pointless; pretty, but pointless.

Weird; I usually have strong preferences when it comes to watch attributes, but I seem to be completely ambivalent about this. 🤔 

Watches have a point and that point is timekeeping above all else. Sure we have mobile phones which it seems the majority of people rely on to tell them the time but a sizeable minority still wear watches and more than a few collect them and enthuse about them.

I can see the argument for a closed back but personally I really like them and the first one I saw I found fascinating (sadly).

Yes and lots of watches are pretty as well as useful!

I prefer the display back.  My Timex Marlins all do and the movements are basic Miyota movements.  Still love looking at them, but I'm a basic guy with basic needs.  These watches cost $269 so maybe they aren't even mid-tier.

In my case, I generally don't like all polished case but I particularly hate polish case back. And if the color of the case is different than the color of the case back, It's also blocked me.

As a beginner in this hobby, I tend to like exhibition case back. It will probably change in the futur.

Did I mention that I'm not a fan of a plane of glass being pressed against my flesh? Embossed metal offers more chance of heat and moisture escaping.

They definitely serves a purpose for those who love to see the movements. Adds character to the piece from an “art” standpoint. Someone worked hard putting those movements together, every single incredibly small part meticulously placed together. I think they all deserved to be looked at, marveled by & admired. But, rather the watch have it or not is not a deal breaker for me. It’ definitely about the dial as well, history, story. What the watch speaks to you when its on your wrist & you’re staring down at it…

Display- if it is worth it. Not many are.. 

a beautiful well made and even familiar regular case back is preferable, for me.

These days, having experienced a good number of watches, I mostly prefer a closed case back. For example, the hippocampus on the case back of my Railmaster is pretty close to ideal (despite the fact that Omega's movements are actually fairly attractive).

That said, when I first started to take an interest in watches, it was genuinely fascinating to me to be able to see the movement in action. It would have been unthinkable to spend thousands of dollars on a mechanism I couldn't see, during that phase of burgeoning watch appreciation.

So I agree with some earlier posts that I'm all for it, even if my personal tastes have evolved. Show those movements! Get people hooked, and keep this hobby growing and healthy!

They’re neat, but I don’t give much of a hoot one way or the other. I have a couple of watches with display casebacks and almost never look at them anymore. That said, if it’s a particularly beautiful movement, that could be a different story. I don’t really care about seeing the movement inside a Seiko 5 field watch, though.