
Dimardi, a long-time contributor, shares his Stowa Flieger LE from 2017, a piece commemorating the brand's 90th anniversary. This post offers a personal look at a significant Stowa reference and sparks a discussion among collectors about the brand's heritage and the wearability of Flieger watches. His insights into the dimensions and feel of different Stowa models provide valuable context for enthusiasts considering these iconic pilot watches.




Laco's pilot watches trace their lineage directly to the original B-Uhr (Beobachtungs-Uhren) observation watches produced for the German Luftwaffe during World War II. As one of the five original manufacturers alongside A. Lange & Söhne, Wempe, Stowa, and IWC, Laco holds legitimate claim to this influential design heritage. The company resumed production of faithful recreations in the 1980s, maintaining the essential DNA of the wartime instruments while adapting them for contemporary wrist wear.
The technical specifications remain purposefully spartan, prioritizing legibility and functionality over decoration. The oversized Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6, and 9 positions, combined with the distinctive triangle marker at 12 o'clock, ensure instant time reading under adverse conditions. The blued steel hands provide high contrast against the matte black dial, while the railroad track minute markers maintain precision timing capabilities. Modern iterations typically house reliable Swiss automatic movements, departing from the original hand-wound calibers but gaining practical daily-wear convenience.
Within the contemporary pilot watch market, Laco occupies a compelling position between entry-level homages and luxury interpretations from established Swiss houses. These watches appeal particularly to military watch collectors and aviation enthusiasts who value historical authenticity over brand prestige. The relatively accessible pricing, combined with legitimate wartime provenance, has established Laco as a respected name among serious collectors of military timepieces, though they remain overshadowed by higher-profile competitors in broader horological circles.
Best, Emmanuel
Stowa offers great quality for the price...great value. This was my 1st mechanical watch.
Love it too...the look and wearing it
Glad you found a happy piece!
which is great - as mentioned in another post really been thinking about their bronze flieger in 36 or 40. I think I can do both but I had a flieger many years ago and I do remember they wear quite large due to being almost all dial and therefore the dilemma.
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