Get a Backup Caseback - Would You Do It?

EuroDriver · Feb 8, 2024

This is about the following:

I have a Planet Ocean LMLE that after a lot of internal back and forth, I have decided to keep it and have it in my regular rotation. The watch is in pristine shape with no damage or fading on the caseback.

As I was looking at the discoloration and wear on the keys on my keychain, I started thinking if the caseback on my watch will succumb to the same fate which would be a pity, since it is an irreplaceable limited edition. So my "fear" is that if I wear the watch long enough, it will begin to fade and wear down like my keys.

My current thoughts are to source a caseback from a run-of-the-mill PO 2500 for daily use, and keep the original as a safe queen to preserve its integrity and ultimately, its resale value. That way if I ever decide to sell the watch or when my kids cash out my estate, it will remain in pristine condition.

Do you think it's worth it, or do you think I'm being irrationally OCD?

I'd like to hear your thoughts.

Evitzee · Feb 8, 2024

In my opinion, OCD, but it's your watch. Watches are to be enjoyed, they aren't investments.

BlackTalon · Feb 8, 2024

My thoughts:

It's stainless steel, so the wear would be the only issue. And that's most likely to occur if you are using NATO straps.

But keep in mind the rest of the case is going to get nicks, scratches, etc. So putting on a NOS caseback years down the road will result in a bit of a mis-match with respect to the case wear and tear.

Annapolis · Feb 8, 2024

Well, there’s nothing rational about wearing a watch that costs more than $20, so we can dispense with “irrational.” OCD? Perhaps, but it’s your thing, your call. I’m guessing most of us wouldn’t do it—for the reason BlackTalon mentioned.

And future resale value—in my what-the-hell-do-I-know?-opinion—is not a good way to think about buying a watch, and definitely not when it comes to Omegas, which tend to depreciate badly. Who can predict? But I would suggest (only because you’re soliciting opinions—it’s really none of my business) wearing the heck out of that thing. The value is in wearing it—the “appreciation” is in your appreciation of it (how corny was that?). Omega saturates its own market with LEs—there’s little reason to believe that watch will have any special financial value years from now. But it’ll have heaps of sentimental value to your kids, especially if they remember you wearing it, and it looks like it’s been worn!

YY77 · Feb 8, 2024

EuroDriver
Do you think it's worth it, or do you think I'm being irrationally OCD?

You're fine, on a local watchforum a member bought a 861 because he was missing a strap monster in his collection, please note he has a 3861 but wants to keep it pristine.🤨

pusslicker · Feb 8, 2024

EuroDriver
This is about the following:

I have a Planet Ocean LMLE that after a lot of internal back and forth, I have decided to keep it and have it in my regular rotation. The watch is in pristine shape with no damage or fading on the caseback.

As I was looking at the discoloration and wear on the keys on my keychain, I started thinking if the caseback on my watch will succumb to the same fate which would be a pity, since it is an irreplaceable limited edition. So my "fear" is that if I wear the watch long enough, it will begin to fade and wear down like my keys.

My current thoughts are to source a caseback from a run-of-the-mill PO 2500 for daily use, and keep the original as a safe queen to preserve its integrity and ultimately, its resale value. That way if I ever decide to sell the watch or when my kids cash out my estate, it will remain in pristine condition.

Do you think it's worth it, or do you think I'm being irrationally OCD?

I'd like to hear your thoughts.

I'd just wear it. I think your kids would probably appreciate something dad wore more than having to deal with selling something that they probably know nothing about how to sell. I inherited a bunch of guns that my dad had and all the ones I had used or seen him with were missing and I ended up with the safe guns that he had bought in his later years. Now they just sit in the bottom of a closet somewhere with me wondering what I should do with them as I have no relationship to them because my dad I don't think ever shot them. There will probably be tons of stuff that they don't know how to sell along with the watch. I would as a son just think it would be cool to throw on dad's old beat up watch he wore every day.

502 to right · Feb 8, 2024

I totally understand your thought process but I think it's misguided in this case. Casebacks are held against your wrist while wearing so most of the heavy dings and scratches will be happening on the other side. And as long as you care for your watches when not worn (and given that you're asking this question it's pretty clear you do) the caseback should not accumulate anything more than light scratches that could easily be buffed out (if you so desired).

I think looking for a backup caseback is totally unnecessary.

sheepdoll · Feb 8, 2024

Well my speedmaster came with two casebacks one engraved and one not engraved.

Somehow I lost the engraved caseback sometime in the last 30 years. The caseback that is currently on the watch has the wrong reference for the movement.

This was not as big of a deal back then. Oh for the love of hindsight. Now it is really annoying as I keep going through the same stuff looking for the lost caseback. That equates to a lot of wasted time and anoyance.

Most likely the caseback migrated to a box o stuff that went to the salvation army.

If anyone ever finds a speedy case engraved 'W. C. L' I'd be tempted swap the 105.012 back that is on it.

EuroDriver · Feb 8, 2024

Thanks everyone for so gently putting me down back on earth. Can't find a spare caseback for sale anyway.

I'll refocus my energy into enjoying my watch...

Dan S · Feb 8, 2024

My advice is to put the whole watch in a safe deposit box and wear a Swatch. 😁

Scarecrow Boat · Feb 8, 2024

EuroDriver
I have decided to keep it and have it in my regular rotation […] My current thoughts are to source a caseback from a run-of-the-mill PO 2500 for daily use, and keep the original as a safe queen to preserve its integrity and ultimately, its resale value.

By wearing the watch in regular rotation, the entire case will pick up wear marks. Whether it be tiny swirls or scratches. As such, it makes no sense to buy a secondary caseback to preserve the original caseback as a “safe queen” to maximize resale value. The watch was made to be worn and enjoyed. If you fear loss of resale value from the evidence of daily wear, just part ways with the watch now and buy something you will actually enjoy wearing.

DaveK · Feb 8, 2024

Evitzee
In my opinion, OCD, but it's your watch. Watches are to be enjoyed, they aren't investments.

I can now cross you off the list of forum members who might be Kevin O’Leary

Spruce · Feb 8, 2024

I bought a fifty year old 198.030 (day no date) and then discovered it had a perfectly good 198.031 caseback (day and date) so I spent time sourcing the correct caseback.

PS. If anyone is looking for a 198.031 caseback, get in touch 😀

J!m · Feb 8, 2024

I'll just put this out there-

Case backs DO wear from, well, wear, and I have a Tag Heuer I bought in Austria in 1988 (or so) that I wore 24-7 for about 12-13 years. Besides ruining the bracelet, bezel, insert, crystal, pushers, several crowns and several sets of hands (they kept falling off when I skied), oh, and the movement now, the case back, which was always against my buttery-soft wrist (since it never saw the light of day, under the watch) managed to buff the case back quite effectively.

Just wear it. Or buy a not-limited-edition to wear and lock the LE in the safe with box and papers.

I participate on Rolex Forums (to a limited extent) and there have been (and probably still are) "investors" looking to find the next big thing... "Invest" in proper investments, not watches, regardless of brand.

Enjoy the watch! We never know how many hours we have left so enjoy counting them!

EuroDriver · Feb 8, 2024

Dan S
My advice is to put the whole watch in a safe deposit box and wear a Swatch. 😁

Scarecrow Boat
By wearing the watch in regular rotation, the entire case will pick up wear marks. Whether it be tiny swirls or scratches. As such, it makes no sense to buy a secondary caseback to preserve the original caseback as a “safe queen” to maximize resale value. The watch was made to be worn and enjoyed. If you fear loss of resale value from the evidence of daily wear, just part ways with the watch now and buy something you will actually enjoy wearing.

My fleeting thought behind this was not primarily to preserve the retail value. The case, bracelet, bezel, etc., can be polished or replaced. The numbered caseback however, is one-of-a-kind.

Nevertheless, I'm not so worried about it as to not enjoy the watch. As I said, it's going to be part of my normal rotation. As special as the LMLE may be regarded, I don't think its resale value will ever be newsworthy or enough change someone's life. Thus, I'll forget about this idea and will keep enjoying my watch. Thanks everyone for your input - it's an enjoyable and interesting exchange of ideas.

Get a Backup Caseback - Would You Do It?

EuroDriver

Evitzee

BlackTalon

Annapolis

YY77

pusslicker

502 to right

sheepdoll

EuroDriver

Dan S

Scarecrow Boat

DaveK

Spruce

J!m

EuroDriver

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