Open vs. Closed Caseback

I feel that glass peekaboo backs are just lazy (and usually ugly too). Sort of like modern "flashcube" glass box buildings. Also, metal never feels as nasty on the skin as glass does, especially if they emboss enough.

I agree with @PoorMansRolex, closed all the way. It’s usually a little thinner, feels nicer on the skin and the brand can get creative with it. On most watches I feel like a display caseback doesn’t offer anything special.

Is there an Emergency Code for telling your bosses to go to hell?

It’s a party trick to see the movement. Otherwise, no one cares.

When you have a watch caseback with an engraving of Bill Murray why would you want to see the Russian Vostok mechanical movement?

Imho you don't get better looking mass produced than this 😍 (do love the Hippocampus tho)

Another vote for closed casebacks

Closed casebacks normally mean a thinner watch, so closed for the win.

Display backs are a novelty and a good tool to attract newbies to the world of mechanical watches.

Knowing whats under the hood instead of seeing it is fine for me

Whatever makes the watch thinner. So closed.

That’s a really cool caseback.

The case back is never a deciding factor for me. The most enjoyment I get from an exhibition back is showing it to other people. I have gotten quite a few into watches that way.

I'll add exhibition when I get the chance, but some of my closed have cool designs which I wouldn't swap out.

Well, it all depends on what kind of watch you’re talking about. The movement can be absolutely beautiful, which makes the open caseback make sense.

See my comment on @poormansrolex 👍🏼

True. However, I’d love to see a Patek or Alange movement over the face of Bill Murray any day. 😂

Absolutely. I love being able to see a well-made movement versus closing it off.

It really does not affect any decision for me about a watch unless a closed caseback version is available at considerable savings.

It is an added bonus so to speak but not a motivator for purchase or must have factor in any way.

As a nerd I like looking at the exhibition caseback of my Seiko 5 and wondering how it works. But I also understand why you would want a closed caseback, personally I prefer closed casebacks only if there is something like a design on it like this land tortoise.

I prefer closed back with a design, then open and then closed with no effort. I say as I am looking at a very boring tudor BB39 car back. ☹️

I’m pretty indifferent. The underside of a watch is covered by the wrist the majority of the time, as it should. The rest of the time it’s obscured by something else. Still, I often forget which of my watches have open or closed casebacks. Now if we’re talking Lange, Journe, the like … then I’d prob wear the watch bottoms-up 😂🤙❤️

Caseback is only interesting for the honeymoon phase. I was debating that when I bought my Moonwatch pro. I ultimately decide on caseback as the engraving it's just awesome

If the movement is unique, or nicely decorated, i would prefer to see it through an exhibition caseback, but if its just a normal off the shelf selita/eta, closed all the way

My priority would go to the movement if it’s a gorgeous, then I agree with what @rphl.lii

I think it's cool when entry-level watches and highly decorated movements come with clear case backs. For anything really sporty or tool-sy I'd prefer a screw-down back

I like open but if it’s closed do something interesting. I.e., Engraving, special script, etc.

100000% Agree

Totally agree!

Unless it’s a Patek or Alange 😉

😉

I’m glad Ihave display backs on a few watches. Going forward my preference will be closed because I think they are a little thinner

I'm indifferent, but some great comments to help me learn.