[Rolex] Should Rolex put exhibition case backs on their watches?

I recently picked up a sapphire exhibition case back from Custom Watch Concepts, a German company known for their very high quality aftermarket case backs, and installed it on my 2004 GMT Master 2!

It keeps the same water resistance, don’t worry!

I love the Rolex 31xx movements. Everything is designed for function and robustness, and it keeps fantastic time. In the last 11 days, it has gained less than half a second and it’s on my wrist all the time except for when I sleep. I also enjoy how they beveled the edges on components, chamfered the screws, and used perlage everywhere and I know they do it even in places where you would never see it. Hell, plenty of watch movements these days still don’t use a full balance bridge and free sprung balance!

But I know some people feel like a closed case back is important to the whole tool watch aesthetic. Where do you stand?