The Laco Munchen (München) pilot-style watch is a fascinating contemporary interpretation of historical classics. Essentially, the German company Laco posed the question: "What if a watch had a dial as legible as the classic B-Uhr but with the added complexity of a chronograph?" They installed an automatic Valjoux 7750 chronograph movement but made the chronograph subdials rather inconspicuous with dark gray on black. The result is surprisingly stylish, quirky, and also exclusive, as only 200 pieces have been produced.
There is no logical or practical explanation that could describe why the Laco Munchen pilot chronograph is as cool as it is. There's no particular practical reason to trade some chronograph legibility for additional main dial legibility, but the result seems quite clever and inspiring. It would be unfair to say the chronograph and auxiliary seconds subdials are unreadable. The dark gray markers contrast well against the black main dial. However, when focusing on the subdials, they seem to exist on a different plane, as do the blued steel hour indices and hour and minute hands. Laco has indeed accurately answered the question of how to make a pilot's chronograph as legible as a B-Uhr.
The Munchen's sandblasted steel case is 42.3 mm wide, 14.75 mm thick, and about 50 mm lug-to-lug. The case is water-resistant to 100 meters and features a domed sapphire crystal with AR coating over the dial. For a little extra, you can order the watch with an additional layer of AR coating on the top of the crystal.
The luminescent volume is exceptional, and it's a very bright dial even after several minutes in light. In keeping with the theme, only the main chronograph dial's seconds hand is coated with Super-LumiNova; the subdial markers and hands are not lumed. I also appreciate that the date and day windows have the same gray font. Those knowledgeable in watchmaking also understand that to achieve this effect, Laco needed to manufacture custom discs for the calendar windows (meaning the production of these watches cost significantly more).
What I like to do with the Munchen is to keep the chronograph running. In this case, the chronograph seconds hand simply mimics the look of an ordinary central seconds hand. At first glance, the watch gives the illusion of being "just" a time-only watch.
The movement inside the watch is Laco's caliber 50, which is called the automatic ETA Valjoux 7750 Swiss Made - operating at 4 Hz with a power reserve of about two days. It shows time, has a 12-hour chronograph, and features a date/day complication. On the back of the watch is a military-style designation table that helps promote the "found military tool" theme, which Laco does well. Being one of the first German producers of pilot watches, the company has both legitimacy and playfulness when it comes to creating a classic pilot watch look for modern watch enthusiasts.
Attached to the case is an attractive thick brown leather pilot-style strap with two rivets at each end to complete the classic pilot watch theme. Overall, these watches appeal to those who are probably already somewhat interested in classic military watches and want something new they haven't seen before. The Munchen is merely a design exercise, and despite all its coolness, such watches are most appropriately released as a limited edition. Seeing the product in person is what will aid its promotion, but I feel that it won't be hard to find 200 watch enthusiasts who can see the enjoyment of wearing such a watch. The retail price of the Laco Munchen chronograph pilot watch reference 862124 is $2,400 USD.
Essential Data
>Brand: Laco
>Model: Munchen (München) Chronograph Pilot Watch reference 862124
>Price: $2,400 USD
>Dimensions: 42.3 mm wide, 14.75 mm thick, and 50 mm lug-to-lug.
>When reviewer would personally wear it: As fashionable WWII pilot watches with a slightly modern touch.
>Friend we’d recommend them to first: An experienced lover of vintage-style sports watches with a unique taste.
>Best characteristic of watch: Satisfactorily answers the question it was meant to, while looking attractive. A pilot’s watch that never should have been, but stylish enough to have a reason to exist.
>Worst characteristic of watch: Not everyone will “get” why the watch is interesting, but the limited release provides a sufficient answer.