[Recommendation Request] Exhibition caseback around $500

Hoping Reddit can steer me in the right direction with a few different options. I’m looking for an open/exhibition caseback mechanical (manual or auto) watch for my brother-in-law’s 30th birthday.

It would be an everyday wear, so something for the office (he is an engineer) as well as less formal at the weekend. Looking to spend up to $500, but could stretch if something perfect popped up. Like the look of the Nomos watches, but can’t stretch that far unfortunately.

What would you offer, if you were me?

  • Huntolino@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    Tbh, exhibition casebacks in that price range becomes boring cause the movements arent that nice (most of times just a nice rotor at best).

    The only really nice movements to look at are the Seagull chronos, that’s worth having a caseback for.

    Anyways, it doesn’t matter cause most of watches have an open caseback anyways as that’s what most of people want.

    A nice office watch with a nice caseback is a Tissot Lelocle, which is in your price range. Recommend to buy it on a bracelet, if you buy on a strap you will need to change the strap (19mm), cause the OEM is crap.

    Good watch and movement, banger for buck!

    https://www.jomashop.com/search?q=Lelocle

  • woodworking_raccoon@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    Seiko GMT. it’s not a decorated movement, but like one of the other commentors already said, there’s not many nice looking movements at that price

  • ObjectiveAssistance8@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    You could pick up lightly used Hamilton Khaki Auto on bracelet in r/Watchexchange for that price. A classic (and with exhibition caseback).

  • lulu_l@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    11 months ago

    I think most budget watches have an exhibition caseback like the seiko 5 sports models, orient bambino or maestro.

    The beautiful movements in this price range come from seagull and there are some chrono movements like the st19 but also regular 3 hand movements too like the st36 (these are handwind only and feel very tactile when winding). There are also skeletoonized variants of this movement.

    You can find good watches with these movements from sugess.