Watchatlas

Laco

Pforzheim, Germany · Est. 1925

Founded by Frieda Lacher, Ludwig Hummel

Laco is a German watch brand founded in 1925 by Lacher & Co. in Pforzheim, Germany. One of five manufacturers selected by the German Luftwaffe in World War II to produce the standardised B-Uhr pilot watch, Laco today produces faithful re-editions of these historic pilot watches alongside modern aviator and sport models.

Founded
1925
Headquarters
Pforzheim, Germany
Group
Independent
Price Segment
Entry
Status
Active

Key Collections

  • Flieger — Laco’s signature pilot-watch family, rooted in historic instrument-watch design and built around the brand’s long aviation heritage with highly legible dials and classic tool-watch proportions.
  • Squad — Laco’s professional tool-watch collection for demanding conditions, emphasizing rugged construction, extreme reliability, and practical details such as strong water resistance and functional legibility.
  • Classics — Laco’s Bauhaus-influenced dress collection focused on simple geometry, clean readability, and restrained German design, offering elegant everyday watches that emphasize form, function, and heritage.

Timeline

  • 1925 — Frieda Lacher and Ludwig Hummel found Lacher & Co. (Laco) in Pforzheim, Germany.
  • 1940 — Selected as one of only five manufacturers to produce B-Uhr pilot's watches for the German Luftwaffe during World War II.
  • 1945 — Factory severely damaged during Allied bombing of Pforzheim; production slowly resumes post-war.
  • 2005 — Laco re-establishes itself as a heritage pilot's watch brand, reviving its historic Flieger designs for modern collectors.
  • 2025 — Celebrates its 100th anniversary with the #restoremylaco campaign and a limited-edition Mission 2025 collection of 100 pieces inspired by a 1950s Laco design.

Frequently Asked Questions about Laco

What is a B-Uhr?
Beobachtungsuhr (observation watch) — large pilot's watches made to Luftwaffe specifications during WWII. Only five companies were authorised to produce them, and Laco was one.
Where is Laco based?
Pforzheim, Germany — a historic centre of German watchmaking and precision manufacturing since the 18th century.

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