Laco: Where Tradition Meets Individuality – Since 1925

For more than 100 years, Laco has stood for precise watchmaking “Made in Germany.” Rooted in Pforzheim – one of the most historic centres of the German watch industry – the manufacture combines historical authenticity with artisanal precision and a clear view toward the future.

Icons of Pilot Watches

Laco became internationally known for its iconic pilot watches. As early as the 1940s, the brand was among the few manufacturers producing the original Beobachtungsuhren – functional instruments designed with uncompromising precision, maximum legibility and a clear aesthetic. This design DNA continues to define the collections today, giving every Laco a distinctive identity.

Individuality as a Principle

Yet Laco is not defined by its history alone. A central element of the brand’s philosophy is customization. Nearly every model can be adapted to personal preferences – from crystal and movement upgrades to individual engravings. In this way, each watch becomes a personal expression of style and character.

This idea finds its most consistent expression in the PRO series. It offers an exceptional degree of creative freedom: case sizes and finishes, dial designs and colours, different quality levels of movements, as well as details such as date display or logo can all be configured individually. With more than 100,000 possible combinations, the result is an almost tailor-made timepiece.

Tradition Reinterpreted

Within this series, the Stuttgart PRO (Type A) and Karlsruhe PRO (Type B) models exemplify the connection between history and the present day. Their names deliberately draw on Laco’s long tradition of naming pilot watches after cities, while also underlining the brand’s regional roots in southwestern Germany. Pforzheim lies symbolically between Stuttgart and Karlsruhe – serving as the geographical and conceptual centre of the brand.

What began with classic black dials was later expanded to include an elegant dark blue version with a sunray finish. At Time to Watches in Geneva, Laco is now presenting the next chapter in this development: a model with a deep green dial that adds another stylish, contemporary facet to the line.

Craftsmanship That Endures

Each PRO watch is individually handcrafted in Pforzheim. Inside beats a Swiss Sellita movement – as found in many Laco models – available either as an automatic or hand-wound version. Despite all the freedom of customization, the essence of the pilot watch remains intact: clear lines, maximum functionality and a strong historical identity.

In this way, Laco succeeds in thoughtfully evolving the classic pilot watch and translating it into a contemporary form. The result is a collection that appeals not only to enthusiasts of functional instrument watches, but also to those seeking an elegant, modern interpretation of traditional watchmaking.