I could not find the name of this new Laco watch. Perhaps if I spoke German that would be possible or I am just too lazy to write to Roger Ruegger, from who excellent (German) website I found the picture. No doubt I will discover it soon enough and update this article, I hope. Roger, like myself is a great lover of diving watches, and happened to snap this image while at Basel World (2008) in April. I have always had a fondness for Laco watches, and this one seemed particularly attractive.

Laco isn’t always known for their individuality, but they take classic aviation and diving watches, and place a polished, clean rendition of their own on them. Actually they have been making pilot watches in that particular style before it was considered a “vintage” look. This particular model is essentially a Teutonic clone of the also new(ish) Cartier Pasha Seatimer. If I know Laco, then this new watch will sport an automatic Swiss movement (likely an ETA 2824-2), and be reasonably priced.

That is of course unlike the Cartier, which is extremely overpriced, but you pay for the name. Oh, and Cartier watches are really shiny, did I mention that? Admittedly, the Cartier pictured has a bit more “character” than the Laco, but that is to be expected. Suppose these watches were on a ship for the crew. The captain would adorn the Cartier, while the officers would have the Laco. Both equally functional, but the Laco more service orientated than fashion forward.

What makes these watches unique is the placement of the square minute hash marks in the middle of the watch, but being in a round case. This is often the opposite, as you have a round minutes indicator in a square case. Nonetheless, it is quite a classy look, curiously nautical in origin. The rotating bezel signifies the connection with diving, along with the rubber diver’s strap on the Laco. This is a very legible watch, and the amount of luminant on the contrasted face seems appropriate. I would have however liked to see the date disc done in black with white numbering to match the rest of the watch. Cartier does do this. Further, I would have liked to see the date placed in the diagonal position, as in the Cartier, which would have made room for a number “3.”

Laco typically has good quality cases, and I am sure most people will opt out of the rubber strap, and there are clearly many more attractive option available. I am actually happy to see that Laco did not copy the gimmicky crown protector on the Cartier connected to the case. This is a vestige of classic dive watches that needed this extra protection for water resistance mostly. The numbering on the Cartier is more tasteful, but that does not mean that the Laco is lacking (had to write that at least one). Instead of paying the many thousands (easily in excess of $4,000 if not more) for the Cartier, you can have a high quality German watch with a very similar design for a fraction of the price, no more than $1000 I would imagine. Not even officially sold in the US, Laco watches can nevertheless be found aplenty online, and on eBay.

See Laco watches on eBay here.

See Laco watches on Amazon here.

PRETTY ELEGANT CLASSIC LADIES LACO BY LACHER WATCH $51.32 Time Remaining: 5h 39m Buy It Now for only: $51.32 Buy It Now

Excellent Working 1955 Mens German Made LACO 17 Jewel Gold Plate Wristwatch $39.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 6h 22m Bid now

Laco 1925 Brass Toned Ref 861785 Automatic German Made Watch $359.00 Time Remaining: 7h 48m Buy It Now for only: $359.00 Buy It Now

WW BOMBER PILOT AIR FORCE WATCH LEATHER BAND overlong LACO LANGE WEMPE 25mm $89.00 Time Remaining: 12h 31m Buy It Now for only: $89.00 Buy It Now

27mm WW STYLE leather BAND for Big Bomber PILOT Deck Watch Lange Laco Minerva $29.99 Time Remaining: 20h 52m Buy It Now for only: $29.99 Buy It Now

LACO 01 861750 Westerland Handwinding Watch $899.00 Time Remaining: 22h 51m Buy It Now for only: $899.00 Buy It Now

Cartier Pasha Seatimer Stainless Steel Automatic 2790 40 mm $4,499.00 Time Remaining: 34m Buy It Now for only: $4,499.00 Buy It Now

Cartier Pasha Seatimer 38mm Automatic on Bracelet $3,150.00 Time Remaining: 23h 50m Buy It Now for only: $3,150.00 Buy It Now

Mens Cartier Pasha SeaTimer 2995 Chronograph Watch 43mm Case Size Auto $4,500.00 Time Remaining: 1d 28m Buy It Now for only: $4,500.00 Buy It Now

mens cartier de pasha automatic seatimer stainless steel 2790 $1,424.00 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 2h 23m Bid now

Pasha de Cartier Seatimer Date 41mm Rubber Steel Bracelet W31077U2 7850 LNIB $4,700.00 Time Remaining: 1d 8h 18m Buy It Now for only: $4,700.00 Buy It Now

Cartier Pasha Seatimer 405mm Black Dial Steel on Bracelet Ref W31077M7 $4,750.00 Time Remaining: 1d 10h 22m Buy It Now for only: $4,750.00 Buy It Now

SOURCE:http://www.ablogtowatch.com/new-laco-marine-style-watch-aims-squarely-at-cartier-pasha-seatimer/