HODINKEE Radio: The Controversial Case Of Casebacks, Open & Closed

Subscribe to the show: ( Apple Podcast s , Stitcher , Spotify , TuneIn ). Already heard it once or twice? Please leave a short review, and tell us which guests we should have on! Watch enthusiasts tend to have strong opinions, an observation that won't surprise any of our regular readers and listeners here. So when Tudor dropped a pair of precious metal dive watches with display casebacks during Watches & Wonders, the hot takes started flowing immediately. Ben, Jack, and I even got in on the action , but it was clear that the subject of casebacks deserved more attention and consideration. So, here we are. This week I've got Danny and James on-mic with me to discuss all things caseback. Buckle up. Few watches make a stronger case for open casebacks than the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph. Considering the ubiquity of transparent casebacks these days, it's easy to forget that they're relatively new to the world of horology. We explore their utilitarian origins as well as look at how they became normal and mainstream. Just because they're found on watches from nearly every major watchmaker today (with a few notable exceptions) doesn't mean that they're always beloved or that they come without controversy. What separates a good display back from a mediocre one? Would you ever want to cover up a beautiful, hand-finished movement with a solid back? What role does personalized engraving play in balancing this equation? We get into all the nitty-gritty details, and, I think, arrive at a pretty nice middle-ground for where we'd like to see the industry go. Sometimes it's the smallest things that ignite the best conversations. We hope you enjoy this episode of HODINKEE Radio. Please let us know your thoughts about casebacks and any questions you think we didn't answer down in the comments below. We'll address them in a future episode. Show Notes (1:00) Watches & Wonders 2021 First Look – Rolex & Tudor (4:00) Talking Watches With John Goldberger (5:00) In the Early '80s, Quartz Was King. This Man Had Other Ideas (15:45) The Joseph Bulova CollectionTo show the movement or not to show the movement, that is the question.