Clear case back or skeletonized version

[qman]

Has Rolex ever offered a clear case back or skeletonized version of any of it models? I know there are aftermarket case backs available, but I wonder why they have never offered them. Their movements are beautiful and would be nice to look at.

[beshannon]

Originally Posted by qman

Their movements are beautiful and would be nice to look at.

Actually no.

[SC11]

Yep on the Cellini collection some models had a clear caseback

Cellini Prince

[padi56]

Originally Posted by qman

Has Rolex ever offered a clear case back or skeletonized version of any of it models? I know there are aftermarket case backs available, but I wonder why they have never offered them. Their movements are beautiful and would be nice to look at.

Well not for sale to the public in the oyster range but there were a few test prototypes many years ago for test purposes Celini line has some. But cannot agree about the movement being beautiful its very plain Jane in the looks department.What it is a very fine accurate robust long lasting movement but IMHO pretty its not.

[SC11]

Quick pic off the net to give you an idea

[Tseg]

Yup.

[Jack T]

Any watchmaker that uses clear case backs makes a movement meant to be seen; Rolex movements are meant to toil away, reliable and durable, out of the spotlight.

[Tools]

I think that Rolex movements are great to look at..

One doesn't need prissy scrolls, pointy edges, and colored screws to determine that it is a beauty to look at. A mechanical wonder; it's beauty is in the eye of the beholder..

[qman]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Actually no.

Originally Posted by padi56

Well not for sale to the public in the oyster range but there were a few test prototypes many years ago for test purposes Celini line has some. But cannot agree about the movement being beautiful its very plain Jane in the looks department.What it is a very fine accurate robust long lasting movement but IMHO pretty its not.

Well, poor choice of words on my part, I should have said interesting/fascinating. I remember my first watch in high school was a seiko kinetic watch with a clear case back and enjoyed watching it.

20 years later, the seiko is dead, replaced with a Rolex, and I kind of miss seeing the clear back.

[johneh]

Originally Posted by qman

Their movements are beautiful and would be nice to look at.

I guess beauty is in the eye of the beholder. I think Rolex movements are actually pretty ugly. They are pretty much devoid of any finishing techniques that make movements nice to look at.

[SC11]

For me clear case backs look better on very detailed complications, I can spend hours looking at the movements in the like of Lange, PP etc

So on something like a Rolex I prefer the solid caseback, however on recent inspection of a Tudor North Flag they have done a suitable tool look finish on the movement to suit the overall watch.

[Tools]

'nuff said

[qman]

Originally Posted by Tools

'nuff said

[sco]

I like seeing any mechanical movement... Great shot Larry.

I wouldn't be shocked if we saw the new DD40 movement with a clear case back in the future on another model.

[capote]

No thanks.

[HogwldFLTR]

Actually Tudor does right now!!!

[beer]

Originally Posted by beshannon

Actually no.

Ok then lol