Double the watch magic from Pforzheim: Laco × Circula present a watch duo in their joint anniversary year

In 2025, the Pforzheim-based watch manufacturers Laco and Circula will each celebrate a special anniversary: Laco will celebrate 100 years, and Circula 70 years. Together, they represent a total of 170 years of watchmaking rooted in the same city.

This double anniversary of Laco and Circula gave rise to a project that goes far beyond a classic special edition and shows how vibrant and modern German watchmaking can be understood today.

„This project is called "ProLab". The set, limited to 170 pieces, consists of two jointly developed watches, making the history of both brands visible and interpreting their shared origin in a contemporary way.

Circula and Laco: Two watch brands from the gold city of Pforzheim

Both brands are firmly rooted in the gold city of Pforzheim, whose tradition of jewelry and watchmaking has shaped the region's identity for decades. Over the years, Laco and Circula have repeatedly crossed paths – at trade fairs, events, and through professional and personal exchanges.

These recurring contacts developed into a regular dialogue, characterized by mutual respect and an openness that is not a given in the industry. In particular, the connection between Uwe Rücker (Laco) and Cornelius Huber (Circula) became the basis for an idea that took shape in 2025: to consciously develop a joint project.

The name "ProLab" directly reflects the project's origins. It is composed of two parts. "Pro" refers to the collections that served as the starting point: Circula's "PROTrail" and Laco's "PRO" models. "Lab" represents the shared space where ideas can flourish, free from rigid model boundaries.

At the same time, the name deliberately evokes the idea of "Collab": a collaboration that is not based on competition but on exchange and shows how much brands can enrich each other on an equal footing.

Two watches – one shared idea

At the start of the project, the focus was on developing a single, shared watch. However, the creative process quickly revealed that two independent models would express much more precisely what Laco and Circula each stand for and how harmoniously these two approaches could complement each other.

This resulted in a deliberate duo that unfolds as a set, while each watch retains a clear identity on its own.

The Laco Fieldwatch is based on the case of the Laco "PRO" and features a sand-colored dial, creating a warm, functional aesthetic. Its design incorporates the robust, everyday tool-watch feel of the Circula "PROTrail": clear legibility, outdoor character, and functional strength. The Circula pilot's watch uses the "PROTrail" case and features a black dial inspired by the Type B aircraft – minimalist, precise, and connected to the clean design of the Laco "PRO" line. The result is two distinct designs that only reveal their full character when viewed together.

Proportions, surfaces and fine color details were deliberately coordinated to create a noticeable kinship without restricting the individuality of the two brands.

Visible sign of common origin

Two small but significant details visibly connect the watches: two gold dots on the case back indicate the historical headquarters of both brands. Additionally, the inscription "Made in Pforzheim" on the dial and case back emphasizes their origin.

The set is rounded off by a gold-colored coin bearing the same limited edition number as the two watches. It acts as a unifying element, making the set a cohesive unit.

(Set RRP €2,390)

laco.de

circulawatches.com