Omega Seamaster 300M - Display vs Steel Caseback

greyfox422 · Jul 3, 2023

With the new summer blue line, I'm more and more envious of a steel case back. I have a current gen blue 300M and love looking at the movement occasionally. That said, I would LOVE the option to switch out the case back with a steel hippocampus image case back. Makes me a little sad that we don't even have the option.

rkny18 · Jul 3, 2023

I’ve never understood a display back on a dive watch any more than I’ve understood a Seiko rubber strap on a Patek Calatrava.

padders · Jul 4, 2023

rkny18
I’ve never understood a display back on a dive watch any more than I’ve understood a Seiko rubber strap on a Patek Calatrava.

I don't see the issue personally. Are divers less likely to want to admire the movement? Does the back come in for extreme impacts when in use on a diver's wrist? If it doesn't negatively impact on the water resistance (and seemingly it doesn't as they can seal to 600m and beyond) then where is the harm? Having owners swap between backs would perhaps be more harmful to hemeticity than either type of back in isolation.

EuroDriver · Jul 4, 2023

I too, am one of those that admire medallion-style steel casebacks. They are sort of like challenge coins and much prefer them to the display casebacks.

Display casebacks and tourbillon dials seem a bit tacky to me - like guys who drive cars without hood or with a transparent hood to show off the engine.

I asked my OB rep about ordering the new metal casebacks for my AT and my Worldtimer but was told that they will not sell limited edition casebacks as standalone parts and in addition, that it's unlikely they would fit because they use different gaskets or movement holders designed according to the thickness of the case and cover.

Whether true or not, I couldn't order them.

rkny18 · Jul 4, 2023

padders
I don't see the issue personally. Are divers less likely to want to admire the movement? Does the back come in for extreme impacts when in use on a diver's wrist? If it doesn't negatively impact on the water resistance (and seemingly it doesn't as they can seal to 600m and beyond) then where is the harm? Having owners swap between backs would perhaps be more harmful to hemeticity than either type of back in isolation.

For me it’s the principle of it rather than any functional difference. Just like there’s no functional difference between a rubber and leather strap on a Calatrava.

nicky77 · Jul 4, 2023

Although I am appreciative of the artwork on a nice case back I am a fan of display backs on my watches.
I like this because I enjoy seeing the movement, and I also think that having a display back makes it harder to counterfeit the watch as there are all the movement details that need to be copied.
The criticism of this would be that you don’t see the when wearing the watch, but you do not see the art either. The other one would be water resistance, I do not take my mechanicals in the water anyway.
I will however concede that making the watch thinner is the main advantage I like.

padders · Jul 4, 2023

N nicky77
Although I am appreciative of the artwork on a nice case back I am a fan of display backs on my watches.
I like this because I enjoy seeing the movement, and I also think that having a display back makes it harder to counterfeit the watch as there are all the movement details that need to be copied.
The criticism of this would be that you don’t see the when wearing the watch, but you do not see the art either. The other one would be water resistance, I do not take my mechanicals in the water anyway.
I will however concede that making the watch thinner is the main advantage I like.

The thing is, it often doesn't make the watch thinner. Many Omegas inc the latest Summer Blue releases are no thinner than their solid back equivalent (in the case of the SMP for instance it is exactly the same). This is because Omega often choose to use a relief engraving on the back which looks great but makes for a heavy thick back. The FOIS is a good example, it would be ~1mm thinner if it weren't for the back design used. I'm not against a decorated solid back at all but I too like the fact you can inspect the movement closely without messing about with resealing and checking water resistance after opening. Makes buying a second hand watch much easier and viewed purely from that POV makes it more desirable on a dive watch rather than less as that is where the opening complications lie.

foxtrot · Jul 4, 2023

I own the Nekton, solid case back and no date, and same thick as current line...my feel is they don´t care to make thinner watches, they sell them anyway...this is bad about Omega, the only brand that can´t make a thin diver.

Lammers · Jul 8, 2023

Of course they can, they’re just choosing not to. Presumably because their market research tells them that a slightly thicker watch sells better overall.

Bucks · Jul 8, 2023

A mechanical watch is a work of art. It's totally unnecessary today but we buy them for their artistry. I would always choose a display case back with a decorated movement over a solid case back. Always.

chiefenergy · Jul 8, 2023

3861 hesalite here......IMHO its all about performance.....I never open my car hood to admire the engine either.....just drive it.....FAST!

DougPhx · Jul 9, 2023

greyfox422
With the new summer blue line, I'm more and more envious of a steel case back. I have a current gen blue 300M and love looking at the movement occasionally. That said, I would LOVE the option to switch out the case back with a steel hippocampus image case back. Makes me a little sad that we don't even have the option.

The Poseidon case back is my favorite feature, I think it’s very well done. I have a black smp300m, I would buy one in a heartbeat if I could. It will never happen though, Omega is a big no on the option. It’s only for the 75th, no soup for me!

EuroDriver · Jul 9, 2023

Just about every web page describes the new caseback design as:
"The Seamaster logo features a trident-wielding Poseidon and two seahorses: Omega’s original design from 1956 and its current brand emblem."

Makes me wonder if this will be the new Seamaster design across the board going forward. I guess time will tell.

DougPhx · Jul 13, 2023

greyfox422
With the new summer blue line, I'm more and more envious of a steel case back. I have a current gen blue 300M and love looking at the movement occasionally. That said, I would LOVE the option to switch out the case back with a steel hippocampus image case back. Makes me a little sad that we don't even have the option.

I wonder if it would impact warranty status if someone with a 75th smp300m didn’t like the solid case back and traded a fellow smp300m owner for a sapphire case back? Since we both “opened” the case? I’m hoping there are some that hate it and want to trade LOL. Wishful thinking but who knows!

EuroDriver · Jul 13, 2023

I'll get in line to trade my WT caseback for the new one! Maybe send it in for a tune-up before switching them out

Lammers · Jul 13, 2023

Collected my 75th anniversary 300M yesterday. And I do rather like the caseback! Seems like it has more intricate detail than the previous ones.

EuroDriver · Jul 13, 2023

L Lammers
Collected my 75th anniversary 300M yesterday. And I do rather like the caseback! Seems like it has more intricate detail than the previous ones.

Lucky you - congrats! Where are you? Mine should arrive tomorrow

Lammers · Jul 13, 2023

EuroDriver
Lucky you - congrats! Where are you? Mine should arrive tomorrow

Thanks! Enjoy yours! I’m in London.

Omega Seamaster 300M - Display vs Steel Caseback

greyfox422

rkny18

padders

EuroDriver

rkny18

nicky77

padders

foxtrot

Lammers

Bucks

chiefenergy

DougPhx

EuroDriver

DougPhx

EuroDriver

Lammers

EuroDriver

Lammers

Similar threads

Spiral winder display caseback for vintage omega

Omega Seamaster 300m Diver Black Black Impressionist Review

Omega Seamaster 300M Diver Co-Axial Blue 42mm NEW

LNIB Omega Seamaster 300m Diver 42mm with white dial [no OEM bracelet/rubber]

SOLD! Omega Seamaster 300M

Omega Seamaster 300m Durability