Is an open caseback important to you?

I would agree to spend a little extra for an open caseback on the condition that it doesn't increase the watch thickness. Unfortunately it almost always does, so I prefer a thinner/closed caseback.

I'd pay extra to get the solid case back. Metal is more comfortable and I still don't believe anyone looks at these rear windows after the first few days.

They can look nice but are very low on my priority list.

I love to see the mechanic, so yes, I'd pay some more bucks for a saphire back.

But only if it's a manufacture calibre. I mean, just to see an ETA or Selita I wouldn't... well... maybe... 😅

No, it isn’t important to me. I don’t need to see the movement. Now, the next question is does the movement need to be decorated? I do like to see the highly finished watch movements and the different techniques used.

I don't need a display caseback on my watch any more than I need a glass bonnet/hood on my car to see its engine.

The caseback should be thin and always against your wrist. If not your just fooling around looking at it and not being productive. The front is the business end we all live by.

I'd rather have a solid case back on all my automatics. The glass is more fragile, it adds thickness and there usually nothing to see there in the first place since the rotor obscure most of the movement.

Totally depends on the movement and it's prettiness. I have some nice watches with very utilitarian finishing on the movements (Tudor North Flag is a good example). Frankly, there ain't much to see. I'd want to see a microrotor if I owned a watch with one, and I'd probably prefer to see a well-finished manual movement (not obscured by a rotor), but it's not a big deal for me. As PMR says above, I'm not going to spend much time gazing lovingly at the back of my watch.

Prefer solid case backs on all of my watches (and thankfully most have), except on my GO Senator. I even take that off sometimes to gaze at the back 😂 But I’d preferred CW’s Sellita 330, let alone Pagani’s NH 35 to be hidden behind a nice solid steel case back :)

I like a transparent case back, especially if the movement is particularly interesting and complex, and added thickness isn't an issue (though I admit I also enjoy seeing a stock 7S26). But it's not a deal breaker in any way. I would definitely pay extra for something like a Speedmaster sapphire sandwich.

Nope, never cared or weighed in my decision when buying a watch. However, I truly appreciate the craftsmanship that goes in the finish of some of these movements for instance, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual date just has Cote de Geneve finish on barrel bridge, a sculpted rotor, pérlage finish on the bottom of the plate where the mainspring barrel sits and tri color winding wheel pawls, yet nobody sees it except for other watchmakers. Almost like a treat for those in the know. I truly love that.

Absolutely, I love those sapphire case backs so if I can choose between solid or crystal then crystal is the one I buy but I don't mind solid back as long as it has some nice engraving

I don’t care what the movement is, I always prefer the display caseback over closed. To the point where it’s a very important deciding factor for me.

Not a must have, but certainly nice if included.

Although as mentioned, the watch rides a bit higher.

Not gonna lie though, the caseback here was what intrigued me about this:

I dont think its something worth paying more but ir is really pretty

I do. If JLC made a Reverso with a dial on one side and an exhibition caseback on the other it would very rarely be dial side up on my wrist. But I'm odd.

Not ordinary... but...

An open case back was the whole point of buying a seagull 1963, that is to see the Venus inspired mechanics at work. Typically it’s not a deal breaker, but I prefer it over not.

I have never nor will I have an "open caseback" watch. All the dirt and crap can get into the watch and ruin the movement in no time, not to mention how uncomfortable it would be. I feel that some sort of caseback is necessary to the watch's integrity. 🙄

It’s a yes and no for me. Like you I’m mesmerised by the movement however as it sits on my wrist for the majority of the time I can’t see it. The price difference on say a new Speedmaster is around £1500 I think which I would rather then use on another not so expensive watch

People call the 4r36 an ugly movement, but I still love watching it work, and it blows peoples minds when I take my watch off for them to look at (all like 3 times it’s happened) and they see this little engine churning away

I regularly just take my watch off to admire the back. That said, some thick watches could maybe benefit from a closed caseback, and unless the movement is nicely finished (and I don't have another open caseback with the same movement) I wouldn't spend extra for an open one

I bought an aftermarket clear caseback for my speedmaster when I owned it. It showed off the beautiful handwound movement and made the watch thinner as a bonus.

I love to see the mecahanics through open caseback of the watch i am wearing..and indeed its a splendid thing to watch ❤️

Very low, I wouldnt buy a open case back watch unless it was really special like Lange, Patek, or really cool other high end brand

Run of the mill movements even Rolex are plain and boring, or cheap looking like entry level Seiko, what's the point of seeing that, to see a fidget spinner move around?

I have a Grand Seiko, Panerai, and some Rolexes and all are solid case back as they should be

It is nice, but not significant enough to affect my purchasing decision. If both casebacks are an option at the same price on the same watch, I would be likely to get a display one, but otherwise it wouldn't change anything.

Absolutely! In many ways a mechanical watch does not make sense in the modern world, it is the mastery of engineering that goes into a beautiful and complex movement that makes them so appealing, so it makes perfect sense to want to see it.

I suppose in the same way people often leave a grand piano open to see it's construction.

I’m pretty indifferent. While the movement is important to me, I don’t need to view it. If the watch comes with a viewable caseback, then great! 🤙❤️

I like the open casebacks it gives me something to show my grandchildren and my wife, but it’s not a dealbreaker for me, it’s a great question