Perhaps at first glance, It's easy to dismiss this as just another classic Flieger watch. Sure, with some customizability, but they all generally look the same. One could argue to spend a lot less or a lot more. Why this? However, I enjoy how you highlight the value you get with the quality, the details and the legit brand heritage. It certainly makes this a very compelling proposition if you've been trying to decide which classic Flieger you want, from where and how much do you want to spend. Can't go wrong with this one as it could easily end all the contemplating with all that you pointed out about it. The only thing I hope they add to the options in the future are perhaps a little more variety in dial colors.
Fleger watches are uber cool. The cheapo flegers however are boring as F. Short hands, dodgy symmetry, cheap finishing. A quality made fleger by a respected brand, like Laco or ICW is a sweet watch.
I do love Laco Flieger Pro and I plan to order the 37mm. I wish they offered more movement options though. The new Sellita SW300 with 56 hours of power reserve in top grade would be a great complement to this great watch! Thanks for the nice review!👍
The case is absolutely perfect. I really like the ~$400 tier Laco watches because of the more modern case design, but they are so thick! This takes that modern case design and slims it down, plus all the other top notch features. This really deserves the name of Pro. I want one to replace my Laco Aachen.
Interesting how much customization there is on the Laco website - day/no date, 3 sizes of case, choice of handwind, elabore auto, or top grade automatic, strap colors, outside ar etc
I got the original design with straight lugs in 42mm and it's just too large for my 16-17cm wrist size. I wear it sometimes but should really swap it to 40mm. This would surely work without any problems. Lume in Laco is something magical.
I have an 18cm wrist and originally went for the 45mm but over time felt it too big so just today I ordered the 42mm which I think will be perfect for me. I bought the aged version too whereas my previous one wasn't.
Lovely watch. I especially like the side case profile. If I were in the market for a flieger I would definitely look to Laco or Stowa. IWC looks incredibly overpriced next to these brands.
I'm buying one for Christmas with date, still haven't decided on logo or case finish. Double AR, with upgraded movement and finish. Black strap without the dots. Beautiful watch, this is the watch folks should consider if they are looking for their first watch and Swiss movement. Absolutely beautiful, this will be my third automatic, i also have a Tudor BB 58 and a Titan I got from India. I love watches from all budgets, but I also want value for my money, it doesn't get better than this.
I could not agree more. Shortly after launch I pruchased a Stuttgart setup identical to your's except for the 43 mm diameter and the additional Laco Milanaise bracelet. Loving it to pieces. One minor criticism: It seems to me, that the screw down crown has no well defined ending point which makes me afraid to break it.
I bought the 42mm hand-winding and aged original today with the B-dial. But I also plan on buying a Pro in future - probably with the A-dial to mix it up vs my other flieger. I put all my choices in the configure/order tool and it came out exactly as you have! 40mm. A-dial. open caseback with decorated top movement and double AR. The full kit! The only thing I am tempted by is bead blasting but am a bit on the fence... could go either way. The only thing I wished they would add is drilled lugs for easier strap changes.
No doubt Laco makes great military watches. The Laco Dortmund is a big step up from this in size 45mm and quality. A great alternative to this is Steinhart Nav B Uhr And Dekla
Ah, man... while I can easily sport a 40 mm, I would've preferred this watch to be 38-39 mm (37 is a bit too small for me now). Hopefully these can be future sizes for the Pro, as well as a pilot's style bracelet. Archimede has a 39 mm Flieger with a pilot's style bracelet, tho it doesn't have a screw down crown (tho it has 100 m of WR) and has a ghost date position.
would be absolutely magical if they could provide a new size between 40 and 37, a new date position at 6, and other variations for the hands besides blued steel
great reviewing and really interesting offering here, a premium flieger (but not a luxury flieger like IWC). was the packaging, box, kit etc at the level you'd expect for a $1500 premium watch? say like Monta or Formex boxes? or did this come in a cheap cardboard box like a Hamilton?
Got a 39mm limited oliv Aachen as I love my oliv, got it on most my jackets and its often my theme. Never getting rid of it. Would consider adding a type a, would go for a pro for sure. Probably 40mm, wrist of 15.5cm, so 42 way too large and find 37mm might be a bit too small. 39-40mm what I like. Cant get enough of these true to their roots fliegers
@@youraveragepasser-by7367 I Totally agree, I find it just mindblowing that 1000 dollar watches are getting away with 50m water resistance :/ In my opinion water resistance is a huge part of build quality. I just can't see myself paying so much for watches that offer the same WR as a 40 dollar Casio watch does :/ I just can't see something as a quality watch if it doesn't offer at least 100m WR.
Great review! How does it compare to an IWC Mark XX or a Big Pilot 43 in terms of finishing and build quality? I've got a 17cm wrist. Should I be getting the 37 or 40mm version? Thank you!
I like Pro series and all customization options but still can't get why all case got screw down crown only option?! I got my Mulhelm und... - handwinding and i do not see a point to screw down crown everyday to wind up watch?! In automatic movements is a different understandable story. I know many of you going to tell coz is 200m water resistance, but using screw down crown everyday could reduce washer/case lifespan, i guess? If i want, a good water resistance watch i would buy Diver not Flieger!
Does anyone know the crystal/dial diameter of this? Torn between the 37 and 40. I have a 16cm wrist and bought an Archimede Pilot 200 (39mm) which I think doesn't look too big on my wrist. The Archimede's crystal/dial diameter sits around 35. Bought the Archimede after watching AB's yt 😅
If you value the combination of high specs and quality combined with the historical significance of the Laco brand, it's a bargain IMHO. If you just like the look, then yes, it'll feel quite expensive as it's a simple 3-hand watch with a simple dial.
Totally agree. IWC is completely overrated and overpriced, a total rip-off. If you really want the classic fleiger, Stowa and Laco are the best in my opinion.
Am I the only one who's not sure how to feel about these watches? They look GREAT, the Type A flieger is absolutely one of my favorite looking watches, it's the epitome of a tool watch - everything you need and nothing you don't. There's real beauty in simplicity IMO. But, what's tricky however is their origin story. They were designed by the Nazi government for their military - they created the dial design. They were literally tools designed and used to aid in waging WW2. I can't think of anything else created by the Nazi government specifically for the purpose of war that's still used today like these watches are (and I may very well be ignorant of other items). So yeah...I'm just not sure how feel about them.
No you are probably not the only one. many people live in the past and can never let go. It is human and thats how the cycle of hate and wars never end. I see this watch as a tool and a reminder of the dangers of war. Nothing more. We must remember our past mistakes but move on from them.
You could make a similar argument against flying Southwest Airlines, since they only fly Boeing jets, and Boeing is responsible for building airplanes which were the instruments of hundreds of thousands of deaths. Also our entire space program is built on Nazi tech... and the computer you're using right now owes much of its lineage and development to the space program. Your mac is practically a nazi war machine. My point is don't get so wrapped up in it, it's just a watch.
This watch punches way above its weight at about $1,500 for the specs you get including history and brand equity even though Laco is still a small company. If you think $1,500 is too much for this watch than you certainly think that paying $5k plus for an IWC Mark XX is a ripoff for what it offers.
Seems a bit too cheap to me..would expect this to be around 3000 or 3500 but somehow with those specs they manage to sell it for just 1500. Not sure how.