Why doesn’t Rolex offer transparent casebacks?

[BobbyKeetaNow]

It’s 2020: yes, SS is of course popular, but a transparent case back _offer_ is industry standard across most if not all other high-end manufacturers. Why doesn’t Rolex at least _offer_ transparent casebacks across _some_ of its models? Wouldn’t it be a great way to stir even further appreciation of Rolex craftsmanship?

[Eelco]

Rolex 5443/9 (Cellini Prince) comes to mind. Beautiful caseback, but other than the Cellini line; probably wouldn't do well with the Oystercase (i.e. water resistance).

[Wood&Leather]

Because "haute horology" isn't really rolex's bag, which is a shame because if anyone has the capability it's rolex. The skydweller complication is downright ingenious in it's execution and design.

In my head Rolex is closer to cool jewelry than haute de gamme horology. Look at the movement detail even on a Glashutte Original Panoreserve vs anything rolex has machined. I'm 100% certain it's not for lack of capability, they just really have no need to because their following doesn't really go to them for that. That's what patek, a lange, glashutte original, etc are for







Adding cellini prince after the gent above mentioned it

[dpt.calvin]

I admire that Rolex do not offer exhibition casebacks.

[bp1000]

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

When you want to be on the same level of prestige as
Patek, ALS and Vacheron they either need to up their finishing game or just put a blanket over it.

Plus everything is automatic

[Overwound]

Rolex values lack of transparency so much that an extra sapphire crystal would be too much.

[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.

[zak98]

Originally Posted by Overwound

Rolex values lack of transparency so much that an extra sapphire crystal would be too much.

[Wood&Leather]

Originally Posted by sunnygps

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.

[Jpccarguy]

Originally Posted by BobbyKeetaNow

It’s 2020: yes, SS is of course popular, but a transparent case back _offer_ is industry standard across most if not all other high-end manufacturers. Why doesn’t Rolex at least _offer_ transparent casebacks across _some_ of its models? Wouldn’t it be a great way to stir even further appreciation of Rolex craftsmanship?

Have you ever looked at a Rolex movement? I rest my case. Let the flames begin!

[Wood&Leather]

Originally Posted by Jpccarguy

Have you ever looked at a Rolex movement? I rest my case. Let the flames begin!

no flames here. bare minimal effort on finishing and i don't think that's entirely bad. It's like having the reliability of a 1990's Toyota Engine powering the most beautifully designed mercedes and that's fine by me.

[padi56]

Originally Posted by BobbyKeetaNow

It’s 2020: yes, SS is of course popular, but a transparent case back _offer_ is industry standard across most if not all other high-end manufacturers. Why doesn’t Rolex at least _offer_ transparent casebacks across _some_ of its models? Wouldn’t it be a great way to stir even further appreciation of Rolex craftsmanship?

The modern Cellini Prince does but all the rest of the Rolex movements are very plain Jane in the looks department.And decoration does not always equate to a fine movement,the Rolex movement does what it says on the tin.A very accurate long lasting movement which is far more important than decoration any day.

[jlovda]

A few years back I bought a Swatch Body & Soul because it looked cool. After a few weeks my interest level wore off and it now sits in a drawer. Also, I really can't wear a watch without a date for very long.

[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.

[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.

[HogwldFLTR]

Originally Posted by BobbyKeetaNow

It’s 2020: yes, SS is of course popular, but a transparent case back _offer_ is industry standard across most if not all other high-end manufacturers. Why doesn’t Rolex at least _offer_ transparent casebacks across _some_ of its models? Wouldn’t it be a great way to stir even further appreciation of Rolex craftsmanship?

Rolex isn't part of the herd. I think their movements are very plain; why have a transparent case back just for the sake of having one. It detracts from WR and makes the watch less rugged..

[Sandpit]

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.

Sorry to break it to you, but Rolex are no longer “tool watches”. Fantastic yes, but tools no. Certainly not judging by the amount of babying that goes on with most owners judging by many threads I read here.

[Simon_jrees]

Originally Posted by BobbyKeetaNow

It’s 2020: yes, SS is of course popular, but a transparent case back _offer_ is industry standard across most if not all other high-end manufacturers. Why doesn’t Rolex at least _offer_ transparent casebacks across _some_ of its models? Wouldn’t it be a great way to stir even further appreciation of Rolex craftsmanship?

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

[Etschell]

Im not sure why it is needed.

[faz]

I had a similar question a few years ago. The answer was as given above, movements ( as mechanically interesting as they are), were not beautified and as such, no need to display them. They won’t be seen anyway.

Then I got a couple of watches that has display back. After the first couple of times of looking at the movement, I never cared about that and in fact I even forget they have that feature now. I probably spent two minutes at the most looking at the case back in the entire ownership.


Now with finishing like some of ALS or Glasshute or Patek , sure , that would be awesome. They are made with that in mind. But for the plain Jain Rolex finishing, I don’t need it.


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[RJRJRJ]

Adds thickness if you want to keep the WR rating (don't quote me on that), but more importantly, while nicely finished, the movements aren't designed to be beautiful. If I buy a Rolex, I'm buying for reliability, robustness, accuracy, do anything, any time etc. When I buy a Patek etc, I'm buying something that looks pretty or has some interesting complications.

[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.

[Meyrin]

Originally Posted by Overwound

Rolex values lack of transparency so much that an extra sapphire crystal would be too much.

Wonderful!!

[Peter Toronto]

Originally Posted by Overwound

Rolex values lack of transparency so much that an extra sapphire crystal would be too much.

That’s really clever. Bravo!!!


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[Kevin of Larchmont]

Originally Posted by Sandpit

Sorry to break it to you, but Rolex are no longer “tool watches”. Fantastic yes, but tools no. Certainly not judging by the amount of babying that goes on with most owners judging by many threads I read here.

You know you can take a Snap-On ratchet and lovingly mount it in a shadow box display and set it on your fireplace mantle with a seascape and all your family pictures and that doesn’t make it any less of a tool. All of the Rolex sports watches will take a proper beating, just because many people adore and trade them as objects of horological art doesn’t make them any less of a tool.

[GradyPhilpott]

Originally Posted by Kevin of Larchmont

You know you can take a Snap-On ratchet and lovingly mount it in a shadow box display and set it on your fireplace mantle with a seascape and all your family pictures and that doesn’t make it any less of a tool. All of the Rolex sports watches will take a proper beating, just because many people adore and trade them as objects of horological art doesn’t make them any less of a tool.

[thenewrick]

Display casebacks add a ton of cost and complexity that Rolex wants no part of. If anything they might do them with a line of Cellinis at a higher price point.

[nda]

It's not about being waterproof - I have watches that are 600m (984 feet) depth rating with a glass back. Not much thicker than a Rolex 'dive' watch.

Rolex choose not to make it a feature and that's fine. I quite like the fact that the most complicated movement I own, a Rolex, can't be seen - it's quite modest of them really.

[Stan Cooper]

Aftermarket transparent (sapphire) Rolex compatible casebacks.

Custom Watch Concepts

(Germany)

[henrylee]

Transparent case back would likely decrease the watches water resistance