Exhibition Caseback Watches Under $300: 3 Current Options

If you want to see a mechanical movement while keeping a conventional dial, look for an exhibition caseback, also called a display back. Its transparent window is on the rear of the watch. You turn the watch over to enjoy the movement; the dial can retain its ordinary hands, markers and layout.

These three current options pair closed dials with visible rear movements. Each selected complete watch was available below US$300 when checked on October 8, 2026. The range spans a leather-strap dress watch, a patterned bracelet watch and a diver layout.

Three exhibition-caseback watches below $300

Exact configuration	Watch price	Listed automatic movement	Case / lug-to-lug	Supplied band
Militado ML27 — Navy Blue & White	US$99.99	ST1701	36mm / 44mm	Leather strap
Cronos L6028 V3 — Blue / Perlage Pattern	US$278	PT5000	39mm / 44mm	Steel bracelet
Watchdives WD0019 — White / New OTF Clasp	US$289	ST2130	39mm case, 40mm bezel / 47.5mm	Steel bracelet with on-the-fly adjustable clasp

All three product listings specify sapphire exhibition backs and sapphire front crystals. Prices are for the selected watches before shipping, taxes and import charges; they are not a delivered-price guarantee.

Militado ML27: the lowest-priced choice, on leather

The ML27 is the starting point if you want an automatic with a visible movement for about $100. Its Navy Blue & White configuration combines a small-seconds dial with a leather strap. The 36mm case and 44mm lug-to-lug measurement give it the smallest stated case diameter in this group.

Militado ML27 Navy Blue and White configuration with small-seconds dial and leather strap — ML27 front and rear product photographs. The dial remains closed even though the movement is visible from the back. Photographs throughout this guide are not shown at a common physical scale.

Militado ML27 automatic movement seen through its transparent rear caseback — ML27 front and rear product photographs. The dial remains closed even though the movement is visible from the back. Photographs throughout this guide are not shown at a common physical scale.

The listing identifies an ST1701 automatic movement and 50m water resistance. Choose it for the lower purchase price, smaller case and leather-strap format. Its rear photograph shows a different arrangement of visible components from the two bracelet watches below; decide whether that appearance appeals to you without treating it as a quality score.

Cronos L6028 V3: a patterned dial and steel bracelet

The selected Blue / Perlage Pattern L6028 V3 uses a PT5000 automatic movement. Its angular case and bracelet create a different look from the ML27’s round case on leather, while the listed lug-to-lug length is also 44mm. Cronos lists 10.05mm thickness including the crystal and 100m water resistance.

Cronos L6028 V3 Blue Perlage Pattern dial on steel bracelet — L6028 V3 front and rear product photographs. “Perlage Pattern” is the selected dial-option name, not a claim about how the movement is decorated.

Cronos L6028 V3 rear window showing the automatic movement and rotor — L6028 V3 front and rear product photographs. “Perlage Pattern” is the selected dial-option name, not a claim about how the movement is decorated.

Choose this configuration if you want the patterned face and bracelet with a display back. The listing gives a 13.5mm lug width, so confirm replacement-band compatibility and bracelet fit before ordering rather than assuming an ordinary strap will fit.

Watchdives WD0019: a diver layout and adjustable clasp

The White / New OTF Clasp WD0019 pairs its ST2130 automatic movement with a ceramic bezel insert, steel bracelet and on-the-fly adjustable clasp. Its stated water resistance is 200m. The 47.5mm lug-to-lug length is longer than the other two, so compare that measurement with a watch that already fits you.

Watchdives WD0019 with white dial, dark ceramic bezel and steel bracelet — WD0019 front and rear product photographs. The linked purchase option explicitly includes the New OTF Clasp.

Watchdives WD0019 automatic movement and rotor visible through its sapphire caseback — WD0019 front and rear product photographs. The linked purchase option explicitly includes the New OTF Clasp.

Choose it when the diver layout and clasp adjustment matter alongside the rear movement view. For calibre details, use the existing ST2130 guide.

What the rear window does, and does not, show

All three are automatic watches with rotors. The rotor can cover part of the movement, and each photograph captures one position. A transparent back does not promise an unobstructed view of every mechanism, better accuracy or superior finishing.

These are specification and photograph comparisons, not hands-on tests. Check the exact dial, case dimensions, band fit and current total before buying. For the broader ownership decision, read our quartz versus automatic guide.