Laco
- Founded
- 1925
- Based in
- Pforzheim, Germany
- In our catalog
- 2 watches from $450 to $500
Laco makes pilot's watches based on the big "Beobachtungsuhr" (observation watch) that German air force navigators wore in the Second World War. That design, with its triangle at 12 and huge, clear numerals, became the template for most pilot's watches made since. Laco was one of the original makers, and today it's one of the most affordable ways to get the design from a company that was there.
History
Frieda Lacher and Ludwig Hummel founded Lacher & Co. in Pforzheim in 1925; the brand name Laco comes from Lacher & Co. In the war Laco was one of five companies, along with A. Lange & Söhne, Stowa, Wempe and IWC, that made the 55 mm observation watches for navigators. After the war Laco made affordable mechanical watches and, for a time, its own movements.
The modern company still works from Pforzheim and has built its range around pilot's watches, with many models named after German cities.
Signature models
- Augsburg Type B: A pilot's watch with the Type B dial, which has an outer ring for minutes and an inner ring for hours, the layout navigators used.
- Paderborn Type A: A pilot's watch with the simpler Type A dial, just large numerals from 1 to 12.
What it's known for
Laco's watches are large, readable and simple, with Japanese or Swiss automatic movements. Several models are offered in smaller sizes for people who find the classic 42 mm too big.
Price and positioning
Laco watches mostly cost $400 to $1,500. Stowa is the closest alternative with a similar history and slightly higher prices, and Hamilton's Khaki Aviation is the Swiss take.
Laco watches in our library
- Laco Augsburg Type B ($450 to $500)
- Laco Paderborn Type A ($450 to $500)