Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven aren’t just watches; they’re a toast to maritime history and the age-old art of watchmaking. The bigger versions (42.5 mm in diameter) used to be part of Laco’s collection until last year when they made way for something exciting. But guess what? The demand for these beauties never sank, and watch enthusiasts worldwide have been counting down the days for their big return.

Hold on to your ship’s wheel, because there’s more. Laco is introducing two watches with a smaller case diameter of 39mm. So now you can have all that vintage charm, in a more compact package. As for the dials – Bremerhaven rocks a bold black, while Cuxhaven goes for a glossy white. Both sizes dazzle with hands, numerals, and indices coated in Superluminova C3 for those late-night adventures. The Bremerhaven’s hour and minute hands are painted black, while the Cuxhaven’s hands are thermally blued, adding that extra oomph.

They also feature a small seconds window at 6 o’clock and a railroad-style minute track, all inspired by the classics. These watches don’t just look pretty; they’re precise too. The bigger models (42.5 mm) house a rare hand-wound ETA Unitas 6498.1 movement, while the smaller versions pack a Swiss-made Sellita SW261 movement. All of them sport tough sapphire crystal and a see-through back, so you can admire the exquisite craftsmanship inside. The Cuxhaven flaunts a beige calfskin leather strap that gets better with time, while the Bremerhaven comes with a sleek black leather strap that’s as timeless as the night sky.

Laco says; “With these new Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven timepieces, watch lovers can flaunt the fascinating history of maritime culture on their wrist. Each of these special watches is marked by Laco’s renowned quality and incomparable attention to detail”.

In a nutshell, these watches are the perfect blend of functionality and timeless elegance. Want to snag one for yourself? You can get your hands on them at Laco and authorized Laco retailers. The smaller, 39mm versions will set you back €1,290 (available from November), and the larger, 42.5mm ones can be yours for €1,690 (available from October).

So, if you’re ready to set sail on a nautical adventure without leaving your wrist behind, Laco’s got your back. It’s anchors aweigh with style!

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Drawing on the successful partnership with the German Armed Forces during the development of the Atacama.2, Laco has elevated its commitment to producing instruments of utmost reliability. Professionals across various fields, including law enforcement, fire departments, and the military, have attested to the dependability of the Atacama.2. Now, the Atacama Quarz UTC steps onto the scene, ready to deliver safety, resilience, and precision in even the most demanding scenarios.

The dial of the Atacama Quarz UTC comes to life with its luminescent elements. The Superluminova-coated hands, numerals, and indices ensure impeccable readability, whether under the blazing sun or the cover of night. The two-tone hands, with Superluminova C3 on the hour and second hands and striking orange on the minute hand, ensure optimal legibility from every angle, catering to the dynamic nature of its users’ lives.

One of the standout features of the Atacama Quarz UTC is its second time zone display. This enhancement is particularly useful for those individuals who need to juggle responsibilities across different parts of the world. The orange skeletonized arrowhead hand, accompanied by a corresponding 24-hour scale, serves as a constant reminder of time zones, making it an indispensable tool for globetrotters and professionals alike.

Diving into the details of the watch, the stainless-steel case of the Atacama Quarz UTC exhibits pressure resistance up to 20 ATM and is adorned with a black PVD coating, minimizing any unwanted reflections that might compromise visibility. The unidirectional rotating countdown bezel and the cleverly positioned crown at twelve o’clock embody Laco’s commitment to functional design. The crown, a critical component for water resistance, incorporates an orange ring as an indicator of its secure position, ensuring both safety and peace of mind.

Nestled within the robust case is the Swiss quartz movement Ronda 515.24H, a paragon of accuracy and efficiency. With minimal deviation per month and a GMT function for quick time zone adjustments, this movement guarantees impeccable precision. Adding to its utility, a white date window graces the dial at the six o’clock position, further enhancing legibility and functionality.

Despite the impressive technical features, Laco has managed to streamline the design. Thanks to the incorporation of the slim quartz movement, the case height measures a mere 10.5 millimeters. This innovation, coupled with a 46-millimeter diameter that offers a contact area of only 34 millimeters, ensures that the Atacama Quarz UTC fits comfortably even on narrower wrists. The durable yet comfortable rubber strap, secured by a PVD-coated stainless-steel buckle, remains unchanged. Additionally, the flexible lugs that connect the case to the strap adapt seamlessly to the wearer’s wrist, allowing for a snug fit.

Watch enthusiasts and aficionados can anticipate the Atacama Quarz UTC’s availability for presale through Laco’s official channels and authorised retailers starting from the end of August. The price point of €530 makes this timepiece an accessible yet exceptional choice. Delivery is scheduled to commence from mid-October, ushering in a new era of functional, precise, and purposeful horology.

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Fortunately, there’s one brand that’s taken note of how finicky watch nerds can be, and is doing something to address that. That brand is Laco, and with their latest Flieger Pro collection, they’ve created an online configurator that lets you build your perfect pilot’s watch. 

If you don’t know much about Laco, the German brand was founded in 1925 and is one of five manufacturers that made watches for the Luftwaffe during the Second World War. This makes Laco one of the original producers of the Flieger, and it’s a heritage that they capitalise on, with the majority of their catalogue being aviation-themed. I’m aware that the fact Laco’s watches were used by the Luftwaffe might be problematic for some people, but it’s not something I want to explore in this review. Many companies have been party to terrible events in the past, and I feel like how that influences our perception of them in the present is a broader discussion for another time. 

All The Choices You Have With The Flieger Pro

Getting back to the watches, Laco launched their Flieger Pro collection late in 2021, and there are literally thousands of combinations, which makes this something of a watch nerd’s dream. For starters, Laco offers three choices of case size – 37mm, 40mm, and 43mm. Whichever size you chose, you have the choice of either a brushed or blasted case finish, and either a display or closed case back. There’s also the option to have the crown on either the left or right side of the watch. 

For the movement, you can have either the automatic Sellita SW200-1 or the manual wind SW210. Once you’ve chosen which you then need to decide whether or not you want the Elaboré or Top Grade version of the movement. You also get to choose whether or not you want a date window, and whether you want a black or white date wheel. And, as a final touch, you can opt for either a plain or decorated movement. 

For the dial, you can have either a Type A or Type B dial, and you can choose to have it either with the Laco logo or sterile. Last but not least you can choose whether or not to have an anti-reflective coating on both sides of the sapphire crystal or just on the inside. 

All in all, there are over 14,000 combinations, and with such a plethora of options, it’s apparent that Laco has made a real effort to offer something for everyone. Of course, there are surcharges for many of the options, such as a larger case or better movement, but that’s to be expected. With so many options the price can vary significantly, and the cost of a Laco Flieger Pro can be anywhere between  $1,140 and $1,810. 

The Quality Of A Laco Flieger Pro

By this point, you might be thinking “this all sounds great, but what’s the quality of the watch like?” Well, Laco were kind enough to send me a sample to try out.

The sample Laco sent me is a 40mm version of the Karlsruhe Pro, which is the Type B dial variant. It has a very reasonable lug length of 47.5mm and it’s also very slim, being just 11.35mm thick. These dimensions will be a sweet spot for many people, and unsurprisingly I found the Flieger Pro to wear very nicely indeed. There’s not much to say about the case design, other than that the finishing is very well done, and that the screw-down onion crown is very tactile and easy to grip. On the left side of the watch is engraved the serial number FL23883, which is the item code given to the original Fliegers. It’s also worth noting that whilst this is a pilot’s watch, it has a 200m depth rating, so you don’t need to worry about getting it wet. 

This particular sample comes with a display case back through which you can view the reliable Top Grade Sellita SW200 movement. When a movement is nicely decorated like this one, it’s always a joy to be able to see it ticking away. 

A Look At The Dial

The problem with pilot’s watches is that they all follow a rigid design language. The dial is the best example of this, and the dial of this Flieger Pro is the classic “Type B” layout that’s found on many other pilot’s watches. It features an exaggerated minute track that takes centre-stage, with the hour markers relegated to a smaller scale towards the centre of the dial. Because it’s nearly identical to many other pilot’s watches, you have to look very closely at the details to see what sets this Laco apart.

The dial print is practically flawless and exceptionally crisp. There’s also a healthy application of C3 Super-Luminova, so the watch glows surprisingly brightly in the dark. The date window at three has a bevelled edge that frames the date perfectly and stops it from looking like an afterthought. However, the nicest feature of the Flieger Pro is undoubtedly the thermally-blued handset. Its flawless polished surface catches the light from every angle and has a rich blue colour that varies significantly in shade depending on the lighting. 

The calfskin leather strap the Flieger Pro comes on is nice and thick, but it’s also supple enough to mould to your wrist, which makes it pretty comfortable. 

Final Thoughts

It’s at this point that I must admit I have a confession to make. I’m not a big fan of Fliegers. And I think that’s because they’re just a bit too sterile for my tastes. However, at the same time, I can appreciate a good watch when I see one, and Laco is a brand that I feel deserves a lot more love. It’s got some fantastic heritage and what it’s done with the Flieger Pro collection is pretty impressive. 

There are very few brands that offer such a high level of customisation, let alone at this quality, and the sheer amount of options means that anyone should be able to build their perfect Flieger. The only stumbling block I can see is that these watches are hardly cheap, but as I hope I’ve demonstrated here, I think you get what you pay for.

You can view all the configurable options for the Flieger Pro on Laco’s website here.

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