Laco Paderborn Type B Dial Swiss Automatic Pilot Watch with Sapphire Crystal 861749

I have three less expensive Lacos, and this Laco watch is truly in a different league than the others, which are also excellent. My father piloted 35 B-17 missions over Germany, and I grew up with military aviation and war stories. Although the Luftwaffe fliegers were larger than this watch, this watch is a modern version of those watches. The sapphire crystal is slightly domed, not flat, and the dial looks enameled, with top level lume. The case does have straight lugs, and it almost looks too big on my 7.25 inch wrist; but, if you love vintage aviation watches, you will love this one. If your wrist is much under 7 inches, it might look quite large. I have a few other Swiss fliegers, and the ETA movement in this watch is the most accurate of any of them. My Laco Miyota type A dial in black is an excellent watch, but this type B flieger is the real deal for any military watch or aviation watch collector, or for anyone who just wants a superb daily watch. As most reviewers said, it is well worth it. Get one before the price goes up. This watch will never lose its value.

I was debating between the $400 version and the $1000 version, but after reading reviews by watch experts, I went with the $1000 one. Sapphire crystal is always good, the true blue hands are nice. Overall it is very well done. Feels nice. More attention to detail. The leather band is probably the best 1 I felt that came with a watch, soft, flexible, feels really good. Very comfortable. I will admit I have bigger wrists, but the 44mm case does not feel larger. I have watches about the same size, that feel larger and heavier. This watch is not heavy, very comfortable. The only time I find the watch uncomfortable is sometimes when I wear heavier long sleeve shirts or hoodies. Sometimes the cuff gets under the watch and pushes it forward, the larger crown then digs into my wrist. But it is a minor factor in the overall comfort of the watch. I would still give this a good 95% overall.

I've had my eye the Laco Paderborn Type-B for several years. In my opinion, you have to justify spending this kind of money to yourself (If you aren't rich). The only watch I own close to this price point is the Oris F1 Williams from 2011, which cost me around $1000 at the time (a great mechanical watch) . All my other watches vary in price from $150 to $500. Once you get into watch collecting, you may want variations of dress, sport, diver, pilot, field, smart, digital, quartz and luxury watches. This fits the WWII pilot watch button to a tee. Granted, the watches of yore were over 50mm, the 42 mm in the Paderborn is not obscenely large but can be a problem with certain sleeves. Laco is one of the original watch makers from early 20th century that offers amazing re-imaginings of their legacy timepieces (German engineering...good stuff but the history is dubious) Stowa, another German legacy brand offers a similar legacy and aesthetic but in all seriousness, you can't go wrong with either. The product arrived in perfect shape. This vendor is legit good. Time seems to be around -5 seconds a day which is more than acceptable for a mechanical watch.

I had been wanting this particular timepiece for about 5-6 years. I’ve been through a lot in that time. Divorce, multiple deployments...blah blah. A bunch of other stuff no one cares about. Through it all, I kept wanting this watch. Finally now, at the time of my retirement I decided to splurge. $1200 is a lot for us military guys. The shipping was fantastic. It got here to California super-fast and in great condition. The watch itself? In no way a disappointment. I understand 999,998 out of a million people won’t know its value, but it’s a pleasure to look upon. My only gripe is the clasp is not the same bead-blasted metal as the case. But gosh, it’s beautiful and the time seems accurate.

I really like this watch, it is definitely a step up from the basic series of Laco fliegers. The straight lugs though may be a problem for someone with small wrists.on my 7.5 inch wrist it is a great fit. I like everything about it. The dark blasted finish looks great. If you are looking for a flieger that has more of the look of the original this is surely one to consider.

The biggest draw of the watch is the combination of flat glass over the watch case makes it look like a toy plastic watch. Other avion brands ( even much cheaper) combined the 2 elements nicer. Simply not $1000 watch.

This Laco Paderborn B dial is exactly the Pilot watch I was wanting. This seller provided a fantastic price and the shipping was quick and easy. Thank you!

The Laco Paderborn watch is very handsome and comfortable to wear. Legibility is what you would expect from a pilot's watch, and it keeps very good time. Recommended.