Male watches Laco Karlsruhe Pro 40 Automatic

German Laco Karlsruhe Pro 40 Automatic watches at first glance attract attention with a typical pilot design, characterised by cleanliness and excellent legibility, thanks to which they are very popular not only among watch fans.

Models from the Flieger Pro series offer the option to create a watch exactly according to your ideas and requirements. You can choose between three case sizes - 43, 40 and 37 mm; the case finish can also be brushed or sandblasted. The dial also allows modifications; type A and type B are available, with logo and without logo, with date and without it. For the date, you can also choose the background colour; black and white are available. You can also easily customise the watch by choosing the crown position (left/ right), movement (automatic/ manual and elaboré/ top). For an additional charge, the movement can be fitted with decoration and you can also choose a transparent case back. The sapphire crystal can be upgraded with double-sided anti-reflective coating.

Laco Karlsruhe Pro 40 Automatic combine modern elements with classic ones from the original pilot watches used during World War II. The brushed steel case of the Laco Flieger Pro Karlsruhe 40 Automatic watch with curved lugs for greater comfort is complemented by a brown leather strap with contrast stitching and prominent rivets. The side of the case bears the designation FL23883, which was the classification number. The water resistance of these watches is 200 m (20 ATM), supported by a screw-down crown, and they can therefore handle swimming. The case diameter is 40 mm, the length (lug-to-lug) 47,5 mm, so the watch fits well on most men's wrists.

The classic distinguishing features of Laco Karlsruhe Pro 40 Automatic pilot watches include distinctive and easy-to-read hands and indices at the hour positions and a large crown that is easy to operate even with gloves. The perfectly clear type B dial is protected by a domed sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating and high scratch resistance. The B-Uhr type B dial is characterised by a minute scale printed around the perimeter of the dial, with an arrow at the 12 o'clock position, which served pilots for quick orientation, and an hour scale printed on the inner circle. Better legibility in poor lighting conditions is ensured by luminescence, placed on the hands, numerals and indices. The watch hands are thermally blued.

Power is provided by the mechanical movement with automatic winding Laco 200 (based on the Sellita SW200 Elaboré - tested in 3 positions, accuracy +/- 14 s/day) with a power reserve of around 38 hours. The movement with a frequency of 28800 semi-oscillations per hour offers the option of winding via the crown and the function of stopping the seconds hand when setting the time (hacking).

Options for free modifications:

• dial without logo
• case with/ without FL23883 marking

Options for modifications for an additional charge:

• Laco 200 Top movement (tested in 5 positions, +/- 8 s/day)
• movement decoration
• date with black/ white background
• sandblasted case
• transparent case back
• sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating
• crown positioned on the left

Reviews and articles:

• How to build a watch collection #3: What else to add to your watch box?