Why doesn’t Rolex offer transparent casebacks?

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by henrylee

Transparent case back would likely decrease the watches water resistance

Thomas Preik, owner of Custom Watch Concepts, says his sapphire casebacks are waterproof to 30 bar (~1000 feet) and are acid resistant.

[Max7857]

Agree with all the thoughts above but one that hasn't been mentioned. Rolex quite often are bought to commemorate a milestone or to be passed down through the generations. As such many take advantage of the plain simple back for a personalized engraving that is much more meaningful than being able to see the movement.

[bejzv]

I have watches with transparent cases and I have never spent any time looking at the movement. I bought the watch to tell time and that is how I wear it.[/QUOTE]

[Stan Cooper]

I've ordered a stainless steel/sapphire caseback from Thomas and will keep the original which I would reinstall when sending the watch in for service.

[supernova]

This is simple, Rolex are not haute horology and they aren’t trying to be.

Folks like car analogies here, so it’s like

Mercedes (Rolex)



Vs

Ferrari (insert haute horology brand)




Buy the Mercedes for solid build and reliability, the Ferrari to show off the engine.


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[nda]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

I've ordered a stainless steel/sapphire caseback from Thomas and will keep the original which I would reinstall when sending the watch in for service.

Is this for a Sky Dweller? I seem to recall you had one.

Do post some pics when you do it. :)

[ndrs63]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

Aftermarket transparent (sapphire) Rolex compatible casebacks.

Custom Watch Concepts

(Germany)

That is something I would never do to my Rolex. First, there isn’t much to show. Second, it would have to be professionally mounted, and watch be tested for water resistance. Third, the screw might be damaged as it’s not OEM. If anything, the latter is the riskiest


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[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by nda

Is this for a Sky Dweller? I seem to recall you had one.

Do post some pics when you do it. :)

No; it's a 16710 GMT-Master II, but I kind of wish it were a Sky Dweller.

I'll post pictures when I get it. Supposedly, with the sapphire caseback the watch is only .5mm thicker than with the stock caseback.

[vh2k]

Originally Posted by sunnygps

There is really nothing to show for, so why show it? Rolex watches are workhorses with the entire lineup water resistance certified to minimum 100 meters.

I have watches with transparent cases and I have never spent any time looking at the movement. I bought the watch to tell time and that is how I wear it.

Originally Posted by Laszlo

I honestly can’t take a tool watch seriously when it has an open case back. I honestly find it cheesy. That’s just me.

Originally Posted by Simon_jrees

Amongst other things its generally not Rolex's "Style" to do many models with it.

Originally Posted by Etschell

Im not sure why it is needed.

Originally Posted by Mystro

To add to that, even the Rolex case back is boring and plain. Rolex kinda gave up on the side that touches your wrist. It is what it is.

This thread is drowning in green Kool Aid.

[Stan Cooper]

Originally Posted by ndrs63

That is something I would never do to my Rolex. First, there isn’t much to show. Second, it would have to be professionally mounted, and watch be tested for water resistance. Third, the screw might be damaged as it’s not OEM. If anything, the latter is the riskiest

There's a ten year old THREAD HERE about the Thomas Preik transparent casebacks. Reviewing Larry's thread, any reluctance I had regarding the concerns you express were dispelled. Thomas has improved his products over the past decade. YMMV of course.

[Burlington]

Originally Posted by henrylee

Transparent case back would likely decrease the watches water resistance

I get 300M with mine. Plenty deep enough

[ndrs63]

Originally Posted by Stan Cooper

There's a ten year old THREAD HERE about the Thomas Preik transparent casebacks. Reviewing Larry's thread, any reluctance I had regarding the concerns you express were dispelled. Thomas has improved his products over the past decade. YMMV of course.

Ok, got it. But let’s face it — the Rolex movement looks nothing like a decorated Patek or Lange one. Au contraire, reminds me of a cheap Oris I had a few years back :)


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[Tomas Eriksson]

Originally Posted by henrylee

Transparent case back would likely decrease the watches water resistance

AP, BP, Omega... list is long... makes waterproof waters that 300m and more with transparent case backs.

[EEpro]

Here is the movement of the cheapest A Lange and Sohne watch you can buy.

This watch can be had in a solid 18K gold case for $10,000. Less than the price of a DJ41 in steel. That's a solid gold with platinum weight rotor.

[ChugachEagle]

The first Rolex with a display case will be unobtainable. But I will still enjoy trying. I hope they do it. Maybe as the top end reference in selected lines. Platinum plus display case? All the naysayers would line up I guarantee it.

[EEpro]

Originally Posted by ChugachEagle

The first Rolex with a display case will be unobtainable. But I will still enjoy trying. I hope they do it. Maybe as the top end reference in selected lines. Platinum plus display case? All the naysayers would line up I guarantee it.

Haha, well that's obvious as they can just stay in the same line they are already in for basic stainless watches they can't get.

[Onikage]

Does anyone want to see a chased out balance bridge or Genève stripes or blue screws added to a Rolex movement? It would look ridiculous. And nasty.

[Paul H]

Rolex doesn't have to prove anything.

[OJONES]

Originally Posted by ChugachEagle

The first Rolex with a display case will be unobtainable. But I will still enjoy trying. I hope they do it. Maybe as the top end reference in selected lines. Platinum plus display case? All the naysayers would line up I guarantee it.

They’ve also ready made them. Rolex knows that it doesn’t compete in that market now. There’s no incentive for them to compete with ALS etc.

[Pw92676]

I think that they simply don’t want to. Nothing wrong with that.
I like my Rolexes and like my watches with exhibition backs. That’s another reason I like diversity in my collection.

[JDsnewwatch]

I guess they dont want people freaking out the slightest little imperfection (?) on both sides of their watches and questioning of they need immediate warranty service?

I saw someplace that Rolex wont put glass backs on watches because of waterproofing concerns. If you can put glass on one side, you can put glass on the other side. So, thats not it. Also, the 31XX (and back) movements were far more decorated. Im not sure why they went bare bones on the 32XX movements.

[muskaroxs]

Originally Posted by supernova

This is simple, Rolex are not haute horology and they aren’t trying to be.

Folks like car analogies here, so it’s like

Mercedes (Rolex)



Vs

Ferrari (insert haute horology brand)




Buy the Mercedes for solid build and reliability, the Ferrari to show off the engine.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I’ll take a new Ferrari with its reliability and warranty over the Mercedes lol.

[jumpmaster 175]

transparent caseback.....meh...not for me

[Juan Luis]

Because a beautifully finished movement does squat to time keeping.

[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by muskaroxs

I’ll take a new Ferrari with its reliability and warranty over the Mercedes lol.

Frank Sinatra said if you want to be somebody you buy a Ferrari, if you are somebody you buy a Lamborghini.

[Robf52]

Originally Posted by itreelex

rolex wouldn't exhibit their movements unless it was highly decorated and i'm glad it's like that. Like others have mentioned, they are not haute horlogerie. They are unbeatable with longevity however and let's keep it that way.

Last i checked you look at the dial to tell the time lol.

100%.

[Greg 59]

Originally Posted by dpt.calvin

I admire that Rolex do not offer exhibition casebacks.

No disrespect but I burst out laughing when I read that.

[ChugachEagle]

You guys are hilarious. Anyone suggests something new for Rolex and folks come out of the woodwork to defend why Rolex won’t or shouldn’t lower themselves by daring to display a nicely finished mechanism as most other luxury Swiss brands are doing. But again, I am personally certain that most of you who say you’re glad they don’t go there would have your names on every list within 250 miles the very second a display case is ever announced. LOL

Display case Cellini and maybe a Milgauss for me please.

Fun to dream.

[ChugachEagle]

Originally Posted by Greg 59

No disrespect but I burst out laughing when I read that.

[horseShu]

Originally Posted by bp1000

Because they would have to put some effort into the finishing which would just elevate the price.

If ever Rolex tries to do the open caseback route, I hope they stay classy and keep the same pricing.

Because other brands have managed to offer transparent casebacks and way better finishing on their movements, though not at Patek or ALS level, and still sell them at lower price points than Rolex.