Laco - History, Models and Owners' Reviews

And why not a white dial? Too bland? Too easy? Too classic? Maybe, but with the slightly enameled texture, the small seconds complication (finely sunburst), the vintage side in the numbers and the railroad, the thermally blued hands... Enough to be tempted! Especially for this almost century-old German brand! Its delicately fluted bezel and its typical plump aviator crown wonderfully complement the general style! Initially produced in 42mm, this more recent version offers dimensions that are in my opinion impeccable and measured here: diameter of 39mm, thickness of 10.1, length of 45.9, and weight of 65gr on leather strap. The 100m water resistance is reassuring. It is equipped with the elaborate Sellita SW261, visible via a screwed sapphire crystal case back. Hand-wound, the movement is very beautiful: bridge with Côtes de Genève, thermal blued screws, ratchet wheels with sun ray finish… Remotely ordered without prior testing, the strong seduction turned into a crush when opening the box. Its high quality of manufacture is obvious, its relative versatility makes it an everyday watch, to wear with happiness and pride. I did not imagine such an impression, which is more lasting. Because “nothing (& nobody) is perfect”, I would point out a superb beige/taupe strap but without a quick release, and a dial lacking relief (no applique, and too light embossing of the numbers). But in conclusion, a formidable and joyful synthesis, its rarity on our wrists adding to the pleasure!

I had been eyeing for a while a reissue of a German pilot's watch, qualitative but accessible while being legitimate. Historically five companies supplied the Wehrmacht during the 2nd world conflict: IWC, Lange & Sohne, Stowa, Laco and Wempe. I looked for a long time at Stowa which offered a nice model very well made before coming across this rather premium model at Laco, offering the possibility of personalizing it as desired, in addition to a water resistance of 200m, which we don't care about I agree for a Flieger but which I like for questions of comfort. I like on this Laco type A the fact of having been able to choose a dial without brand or logo, but with a discreet date, a matte gray sandblasted finish which gives it an undeniable vintage look. The flame-blued and unpainted hands are superb. The Sellita movement is top-notch. I also particularly like the non-politically correct marking FL23883 (inventory number in the German army: 23 = navigation instrument, 883 = number given by the air technical authority for this instrument) engraved on the edge of the case, the only mark to keep it today. The 40mm diameter is not the historical 55mm, but since I sold my biplane this no longer poses a problem for me. In the end, a niche watch, very typical, with a neat finish.

A surprising watch, the Laco by Lacher (LACO = LAcher & CO). Ø36, ETA manual movement. It is a "pilot / flieger / B-uhr / Type B" watch, which I chose to accompany me on my bike. Except that the Type B dial & small Ø do not go well together for an intuitive & syncretic reading of the time. Despite the extreme readability of the dial & its thick indexes every 5 minutes, the whole is loaded and often overlaps (the hour hand partially covers the hour numbers) making reading sometimes difficult. I understood that this tool was mainly developed for pilots & assistant pilots whose flights did not exceed one hour of flight, hence the great precision over 60 minutes and the compromise on reading the hours (To be confirmed). And therefore ineffective for use on a bike, casting error, but very typical & interesting watch in a watch box. It ticks boxes that the others do not. Mainly on leather for an austerity that suits it well.