Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
Recently the WW2 era " flieger" style watches have caught my eye. If my budget were higher I would snag an IWC or Glashutte Original, but alas it is not. That being said it appears the two games in town ( for my budget (+\- $1000)are Laco and Stowa...
I like the idea of them being in the original five, and they appear to be close to the original. I have never put my mits on either brand and wonder if one would be more appealing then the other. Surely some of you guys have handled or owned these. Could you give me your thoughts on quality/ durability/ wearability.
Here's a couple of pics.
Laco
Stowa
I like the idea of them being in the original five, and they appear to be close to the original. I have never put my mits on either brand and wonder if one would be more appealing then the other. Surely some of you guys have handled or owned these. Could you give me your thoughts on quality/ durability/ wearability.
Here's a couple of pics.
Laco
Stowa
pure awesomeness :
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
I've never owned either but I'm a huge fan of Stowa. I'll own one some day.
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
I had the larger (43mm) Stowa Klassik Flieger Sport and absolutely loved it. Much higher quality than the price would suggest.
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
What's the difference between the regular flieger and the flieger sport?hoppyjr wrote:I had the larger (43mm) Stowa Klassik Flieger Sport and absolutely loved it. Much higher quality than the price would suggest.
pure awesomeness :
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
any reason you're not interested in the archimede? that would be in your price range, too. i know drew has one of the bronze ones. come in 36/39/42/45mm. eta2824 movement. about $550 on leather (w/o VAT).
http://www.archimede-watches.com/watches/pilot.html
http://www.archimede-watches.com/watches/pilot.html
- logan2z
- IT Admin
- Posts: 11744
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 am
- Name: Andrew
- Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
I've owned a Laco Dortmund and Westerland, both 45mm sterile dial B-Uhr reproductions. They're nicely made and the closest thing to the real deal. They do wear pretty large and the lugs are straight so consider carefully which size to buy. If I bought again I might consider the 42mm. Laco's customer service is top-notch.
I considered Stowa too but 40mm is too small for a B-Uhr style watch IMO - despite the fact that 'they're all dial'. That said, they're beautiful watches and their CS is supposed to be awesome as well. Definitely a more modern interpretation than the Laco.
If historical accuracy is the goal then the Laco is the better choice. If you don't want something quite as toolish as the Laco and the 40mm diameter works for you then I don't think you can go wrong with the Stowa.
I considered Stowa too but 40mm is too small for a B-Uhr style watch IMO - despite the fact that 'they're all dial'. That said, they're beautiful watches and their CS is supposed to be awesome as well. Definitely a more modern interpretation than the Laco.
If historical accuracy is the goal then the Laco is the better choice. If you don't want something quite as toolish as the Laco and the 40mm diameter works for you then I don't think you can go wrong with the Stowa.
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
Archimede seems tempting, I've never looked at them.
- logan2z
- IT Admin
- Posts: 11744
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 am
- Name: Andrew
- Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
A few shots of my (now departed) Lacos
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
No reason per sey, I guess they weren't in original five to make fliegers back in the day... But I will take a lookgwells wrote:any reason you're not interested in the archimede? that would be in your price range, too. i know drew has one of the bronze ones. come in 36/39/42/45mm. eta2824 movement. about $550 on leather (w/o VAT).
http://www.archimede-watches.com/watches/pilot.html
pure awesomeness :
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
Good assessment ...Love your GO, BTWlogan2z wrote:I've owned a Laco Dortmund and Westerland, both 45mm sterile dial B-Uhr reproductions. They're nicely made and the closest thing to the real deal. They do wear pretty large and the lugs are straight so consider carefully which size to buy. If I bought again I might consider the 42mm. Laco's customer service is top-notch.
I considered Stowa too but 40mm is too small for a B-Uhr style watch IMO - despite the fact that 'they're all dial'. That said, they're beautiful watches and their CS is supposed to be awesome as well. Definitely a more modern interpretation than the Laco.
If historical accuracy is the goal then the Laco is the better choice. If you don't want something quite as toolish as the Laco and the 40mm diameter works for you then I don't think you can go wrong with the Stowa.
pure awesomeness :
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
- logan2z
- IT Admin
- Posts: 11744
- Joined: Sat Nov 24, 2012 1:08 am
- Name: Andrew
- Location: SF Bay Area, CA
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
Thanks!Joe C wrote:Good assessment ...Love your GO, BTWlogan2z wrote:I've owned a Laco Dortmund and Westerland, both 45mm sterile dial B-Uhr reproductions. They're nicely made and the closest thing to the real deal. They do wear pretty large and the lugs are straight so consider carefully which size to buy. If I bought again I might consider the 42mm. Laco's customer service is top-notch.
I considered Stowa too but 40mm is too small for a B-Uhr style watch IMO - despite the fact that 'they're all dial'. That said, they're beautiful watches and their CS is supposed to be awesome as well. Definitely a more modern interpretation than the Laco.
If historical accuracy is the goal then the Laco is the better choice. If you don't want something quite as toolish as the Laco and the 40mm diameter works for you then I don't think you can go wrong with the Stowa.
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
Archimede - awesome watch, in-house case and very high quality through out the whole watch.
- 1954Selmer
- Posts: 3544
- Joined: Sun Feb 02, 2014 12:07 pm
- Name: RC
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
I have purchased three new Stowa pieces. I had positive service experience and the quality is amazing. I still have the 40mm Stowa flieger (extremely thin and light). My wrist is about 6.5, so I dig this particular piece. Too many variables in the buffet of life...
.
- andrema
- Bean Counter Extraordinaire
- Posts: 14535
- Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:04 pm
- Name: William Drayton, Jr.
- Location: Gone
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
I've owned a ton of Stowa watches and they were all very good quality. I even owned a flieger chronograph, which was fantastic. Both brands have a great pedigree that goes back to the original 5 brands that built the WWII models. IMO Stowa has a better reputation, so that is what I would buy...but Laco wouldn't be a bad choice either.
Great watch...
Great watch...
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
After a closer look it sure seems like the value in this watch is tremendous.... Can't seem to find if the blue hands are heat treated or colored.gwells wrote:any reason you're not interested in the archimede? that would be in your price range, too. i know drew has one of the bronze ones. come in 36/39/42/45mm. eta2824 movement. about $550 on leather (w/o VAT).
http://www.archimede-watches.com/watches/pilot.html
pure awesomeness :
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
Heat treated
I had one of their first models 10-12 years ago, was a lovely watch. Sold it only cause it felt small (to me)
I had one of their first models 10-12 years ago, was a lovely watch. Sold it only cause it felt small (to me)
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
Panerai7 wrote:Heat treated
I had one of their first models 10-12 years ago, was a lovely watch. Sold it only cause it felt small (to me)
Thanks Art
pure awesomeness :
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
- andrema
- Bean Counter Extraordinaire
- Posts: 14535
- Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2009 2:04 pm
- Name: William Drayton, Jr.
- Location: Gone
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
I'd go for 1 of the 5 original makers for a Flieger.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
I'm not sure what size the standard model is, but the Klassik Sport is 43mm case, 12.8 tall, 24mm lugs, and water resistant to 200m with a screw-down crown.Joe C wrote:What's the difference between the regular flieger and the flieger sport?hoppyjr wrote:I had the larger (43mm) Stowa Klassik Flieger Sport and absolutely loved it. Much higher quality than the price would suggest.
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
Funny this thread happened because I've been feeling the same thing. I'd love an IWC Mark XVIII but can't justify that price for a Sellita base.
Archimede is the only one that really comes close (like Art's pictures) and has the option of bracelet, which looks comfy, but it's not one of the original five!
http://www.archimede-watches.com/pilot- ... steel.html
http://www.archimede-watches.com/watche ... ic-42.html
BUT I think all of the original five have been handed down through numerous ownership throughout the years. The only one that's been kept entirely in the family (3rd generation) is Archimede which says something.
Archimede is the only one that really comes close (like Art's pictures) and has the option of bracelet, which looks comfy, but it's not one of the original five!
http://www.archimede-watches.com/pilot- ... steel.html
http://www.archimede-watches.com/watche ... ic-42.html
BUT I think all of the original five have been handed down through numerous ownership throughout the years. The only one that's been kept entirely in the family (3rd generation) is Archimede which says something.
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
that 39 on steel bracelet is my eventual replacement for the maratac mid i almost never wear now.sierra11b wrote:Funny this thread happened because I've been feeling the same thing. I'd love an IWC Mark XVIII but can't justify that price for a Sellita base.
Archimede is the only one that really comes close (like Art's pictures) and has the option of bracelet, which looks comfy, but it's not one of the original five!
http://www.archimede-watches.com/pilot- ... steel.html
http://www.archimede-watches.com/watche ... ic-42.html
BUT I think all of the original five have been handed down through numerous ownership throughout the years. The only one that's been kept entirely in the family (3rd generation) is Archimede which says something.
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
I am leaning seriously toward this one, for its more modern design and increased water resistance.
Saw your review of this one on WUS... Great job Mark.
If you still have it I'd be curious to hear your long term thoughts on it.
Last edited by Joe C on Fri Jul 29, 2016 7:25 am, edited 1 time in total.
pure awesomeness :
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
(adj) The condition of having no faults, being completely extreme, and incredibly sick at life.
-
- Posts: 901
- Joined: Tue Nov 16, 2010 7:20 pm
- Name: Geoff B
- Location: Apex, NC
Re: Thoughts / Experience with Laco / Stowa Flieger
While I have held neither of them my understanding is that Stowa was designed by schauer and is supposed to be a much higher quality. I had heard that Stowa would do more detailing upgrades to the stock movements, but I am in no way an expert on this subject.
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: AZpops, Google [Bot], gr8sw, mattcantwin and 291 guests