Laco stands alongside A. Lange & Söhne, IWC, Stowa, and Wempe as one of only five manufacturers authorized to produce B-Uhr pilot watches for the German Luftwaffe. That heritage isn't marketing—it's historical fact, documented and verified.
Pforzheim Origins
Lacher & Co. (Laco) was founded in 1925 in Pforzheim, Germany, a city known as the center of German jewelry and watchmaking. Founders Frieda Lacher and Ludwig Hummel established the company to produce high-quality timepieces, quickly earning a reputation for precision and reliability.
Pforzheim's watchmaking traditions gave Laco access to skilled craftsmen, suppliers, and the technical knowledge necessary to produce quality movements and cases.
The B-Uhr Commission
During World War II, the German Air Ministry (RLM) commissioned large observation watches—Beobachtungs-Uhren, or B-Uhr—for Luftwaffe navigators. These weren't standard pilot watches; they were precision navigation instruments essential for dead reckoning calculations on long-range flights.
Only five companies met the RLM's exacting specifications: A. Lange & Söhne, IWC, Laco, Stowa, and Wempe. Each produced watches to identical specifications: 55mm cases, specific dial layouts, antimagnetic movements, and luminous hands and markers.
Type A and Type B Dials
B-Uhr watches came in two dial variants. Type A featured a simple layout with Arabic numerals around the outer edge. Type B featured an inner hour ring with Arabic numerals and an outer minute ring with indices—designed for different navigation calculation methods.
Laco produced both variants, and today their reproductions faithfully recreate both dial types, allowing collectors to choose based on preference or historical interest.
Post-War Survival
Unlike some B-Uhr producers that abandoned watchmaking or moved to different market segments, Laco continued producing watches after the war. The company navigated the quartz crisis and various economic challenges, maintaining its Pforzheim base and connection to German watchmaking traditions.
Modern Flieger Collection
Laco's modern Flieger watches represent the brand's core offering. Available in both Type A and Type B configurations, and in sizes ranging from the original 55mm to more wearable 36mm, 39mm, and 42mm versions, these watches directly descend from the wartime originals.
What distinguishes Laco from brands merely inspired by B-Uhr designs is authenticity—this is the same company that made the originals, continuing to make the same watches.
Squad and Pilot Collections
Beyond historical reproductions, Laco produces modern interpretations of pilot watches. The Squad series offers tactical-styled pieces with contemporary features, while various Pilot models provide everyday-wearable aviation aesthetics.
Navy Watches
Laco's Navy collection draws from German maritime instrument traditions. These watches feature deck watch aesthetics—high-contrast dials, bold numerals, and designs optimized for readability in challenging conditions.
German Manufacturing
Laco emphasizes German manufacturing, with assembly and quality control performed in Pforzheim. While movements are sourced from established Swiss and Asian suppliers, the final product represents German craftsmanship and attention to detail.
Value Proposition
Laco offers genuine B-Uhr heritage at accessible prices. While A. Lange & Söhne has moved to ultra-luxury and IWC commands premium prices, Laco provides authentic Flieger watches that most enthusiasts can actually afford. This accessibility makes historical pilot watch design available to a broader audience.
Laco Today
Operating from Pforzheim, Laco continues to honor its B-Uhr heritage while expanding into other categories. For collectors seeking authentic German pilot watches with documented historical credentials—not interpretations or homages—Laco delivers the genuine article at reasonable prices.