Tuesdays Tour of the Archive

This week, display backs:

https://www.iwc.com/member/forum/search_all.asp?table=archives&name=cellar&sMessage=display&archived=yes&id=21420

I still only have the catalogue images, an actual example is yet to be spotted.

Cheers from the cellar

Display backs...

What is the practical advantage in a "regular' movement?
It is definitely a plus when the movement is particularly beautiful like the cal 1868 in the Destriero Scafusia, or elegant like the cal 9828 in the Ref 5441. Otherwise, it adds nothing to the watch, and it may actually diminish it. IMHO.
Thanks for posting.

My field, my obsession

it's all about "savoir faire", even an ordinary movement it is worth to admire, if it's well finished, this goes beyond mechanics to me, especially in hw movements - imho.

I understand your point of view. >>>

However, would you still prefer display backs, when the essential amagnetic characteristics of a watch, as is the case of a Pilot or an Ingenieur, are compromised?

Obviously not, tech comes first in this case :)

Interesting!...

Thanks, Greg!

Best regards,
Jim

Interesting info, thanks (nt)

Thank you Cellar always good to know (nt)

Thanks cellar

Maybe there are some forum members that subscribed to the Forum long after you posted your question and a display back model could surface!

Kind regards,

Clemens

Plus 1 (nt)

Display backs are to be used sparingly ....

... as you say only a few can afford to say that.

It is like fashion accessories, look beautiful on some and are totally wasted on others.

I confess a weakness of mine, I have had new display backs made (in addition to the original back stored away safely) for some of my favourite pieces, i.e. those for which I feel a peep to the movement makes it worth.

Ciao
Franco

I have been tempted...

many times to have display backs manufactured for my Ref 325s (cal 74 and 98,) while obvioulsy keeping the original stainless steel case backs.
I know there is one Ref 325 out there with a display back, but I do not know if it was done by the original, or by a subsequent owner.
Legend has it, that some of the original owners of Ref 325s were so enamored by the beauty of the movements that had display backs made. This may be true or part of the legend created and/or embellished by IWC for the launching in 1993 of the Ref 5441, Jubiläum Portugieser for its 125th anniversary. It does not matter. It was an excellent idea.

I confess....

I do spend time (mostly on flights), when I cannot work, or are bored of reading, that I often find myself looking at the shear beauty of the mechanics, and the "heartbeats" on the IWC movements, on those watches I have with display backs. Sometimes I take a watch off subconsciously during a flight, only to be disappointed on finding out that I am wearing a watch without display back. However, as I recently discovered, it has some disadvantage too - I asked the Gents at the Amsterdam CTG last week, if it was my imagination or not, but when comparing the finish on for example the rotor of my CFDV to the finish on the rotor of the Portoguese PPC, that the finish was better - and suddenly what was previously a "real beauty" lost some (albeit cosmetic) value, in my eyes....

Funny to say this .....

.... but I've had the same temptation. As you know any excellent watchmaker can do it starting perhaps from brass on a lathe. My 325 has escaped this because I also have a 5441 for Pisa - and its movement is structurally very similar to the 325, and easy to enjoy because has a sapphire back.

The immodesty of the Pisa has preserved the virtues of the 325.

More or less the same here...

My Ref 325s have "escaped" display backs because I also have a Ref 5441. The contradiction is that it is also the reason why I have considered display backs for my Ref 325s.
There are excellent case makers in the area where I live and making a good display back would not be a problem. I just can't make up my mind on the merits. These watches are icons and tampering with them may be tantamount to sacrilege. :-)) I may still change my mind.

Image.

Left to right: Ref. 325 cal. 74, Ref 325 Cal. 98, Ref 5441 Cal. 9828.

Am I dreaming? Two of the most eminent

forum members talking to each other?

Silence please, Masters at work.

roberto