If in case you have checked out Rolex watches, you might have thought to your self “why does none of them have see-through case backs?”.
In different phrases, why is the case again not coated by glass so you may truly see and admire the motion?
None of Rolex’s fashionable watches are certainly made with see-through case backs that will in any other case help you see the motion inside. Nevertheless it’s not true that Rolex has by no means made watches with open case backs earlier than.
It is not that Rolex is not able to producing stunning actions. In the event that they needed to, they might simply (comparatively talking) develop gorgeous Haute Horlogerie actions with putting decorations. It is simply that they do not need to. It does not align with the ethos and idea of the corporate. No less than not for the second.
So why does not Rolex make watches with open case backs? On this article, we’ll go to the underside of every little thing it’s worthwhile to learn about see-through case backs and why Rolex does not use them while different producers do.
Why does not Rolex use see-through case backs?
The reply is quite easy. Rolex watches are designed as software watches. Rolex’s foremost purpose is to create sturdy, useful, and long-lasting timepieces. Rolex chooses performance over the visible each time, and the usage of open case backs doesn’t help this mission and imaginative and prescient.
When you think about the truth that all Rolex watches are constructed as instruments, see-through case-backs don’t make a lot sense. Performance-wise, they serve no actual function. The one actual function is that they make it doable to view the motion. And in that sense, you want one thing stunning to make it worthwhile.
Every thing that Rolex do, they do with the thought of longevity and performance. For instance, the ceramic bezel was added to keep away from the issue of fading and scratching which occurred to the aluminum bezel inserts that have been used earlier. The metal hour markers have been exchanged for white gold to stop tarnishing, and the luminous materials was modified to Superluminova to make sure they by no means aged, modified coloration or stopped glowing. The record will be made lengthy.
And including a see-through case again truly comes with two key downsides:
At the beginning, altering a strong case again for a glass case again will have an effect on the energy of the development and finally create extra factors of potential failure. The water resistance will be compromised. After all, this is not actually a problem for a costume watch that is not meant to be worn near water. However keep in mind that Rolex doesn’t deal with making costume watches.
Secondly, having an open case again will scale back the watch’s resistance to magnetism. This stated, Rolex must compromise kind earlier than operate and that is one thing that, at the least, for essentially the most half, goes towards their mission and focus.
Rolex actions
While Rolex’s actions are on no account ugly, they don’t seem to be constructed to be stunning both. No less than that is not on the highest of Rolex’s precedence record. In contrast to what some folks imagine, it isn’t that Rolex is making an attempt to cover their actions as a result of they don’t seem to be stunning. Should you have a look at a Rolex motion, you will see that it isn’t the case, despite the fact that it doesn’t have anyplace close to the extent of ending and ornament that different top-tier manufacturers have.
Rolex regularly promotes its motion and showcases footage of them as a result of they’re pleased with the actions and their efficiency. It is also vital to keep in mind that Rolex makes mass-produced watches. Should you make, for instance, just some hundred items of a mannequin, it is a lot simpler to place extra time and vitality into adorning each single one to a really excessive normal. However if you happen to consider that Rolex makes round 1 million watches per yr, you will notice that Rolex makes a number of the most stunning mass-produced actions that exist.
When Rolex develop their actions, they develop them for performance, sturdiness, efficiency, and longevity. Typically, there’s at all times a steadiness between design and performance. For instance, as a result of Rolex has targeted on the above issues when creating its actions for many years, that is additionally what they’ve turn into specialists at. Rolex does some degree of ending to its actions, nevertheless it’s not anyplace close to the end that Haute Horlogerie manufacturers like Patek Philippe or Audemars Piguet.
Different manufacturers, for instance, A. Lange & Sohne or Patek Philippe put quite a lot of deal with making stunning, Haute Horlogerie actions, however they may by no means come anyplace close to the sturdiness and longevity of Rolex watches. As a result of these manufacturers make investments so closely into designing and creating stunning actions, it is solely pure that they need to showcase them by way of see-through case backs.
And the very fact is that Rolex is not actually making an attempt to compete on this phase. Rolex focuses on performance while the opposite manufacturers deal with positive watchmaking, craftsmanship, and artwork items, despite the fact that each of those sorts are specializing in the posh phase
The one Rolex mannequin with an open case again
There’ll at all times be exceptions to guidelines and this exception is that Rolex has, in reality, made watches with open backs all through its greater than century-long historical past.
This exception is the Rolex Prince, which was made in a number of completely different references and iterations.
The Prince mannequin line is one which was first launched within the Nineteen Thirties, nevertheless it was finally discontinued within the late Nineteen Forties. In 2005, Rolex reintroduced the prince line below its Cellini Assortment by the identify Cellini Prince.
That is the one mannequin that has been made with an open case again.
Rolex made the Cellini Prince in 4 fashions:
- White gold (out there with two dial designs)
- yellow gold
- Everose Gold
For this mannequin, Rolex used the in-house COSC licensed 7040 caliber. The motion is hand-wound and subsequently must be manually wound. In the present day, it’s unthinkable that Rolex would make a hand-wound motion ever once more contemplating the truth that all of its watches are computerized.
It is protected to say that the Cellini Prince is a little bit of an odd hen in Rolex’s assortment of watches. While Rolex has made hundreds of various references, solely three have been made with see-through case backs.
Contemplating what the Rolex model is all about, it’s unlikely that we are going to ever see a brand new mannequin with a see-through case again once more. However Rolex has shocked us earlier than, so by no means say by no means…