Laco Kiel... very interested, what might the next production run hold?

[jeffc67]

I'm new to Laco, drawn in by the fliegers and the history, and am quite taken by the Kiel.

I notice that Laco is good about continuous improvement with their watches; the recent issue of pilots seems to upgrade the model with heat blued hands and a more historically accurate case finish, which is great,

I also notice that the Kiel is out of stock. Is it possible that when it comes back into stock it might have a dual German/English day wheel?

Cheers - Jeff C

[Uwe W.]

My gut says that it's doubtful. To my knowledge, Laco doesn't update their models in that manner. For you're sake I hope that I'm wrong.

This thread might be of interest to you if you haven't already read it: My first Laco - Pilot Chrono "Kiel"

[jeffc67]

Thanks, Uwe. I've seen the Kiel thread, understand it to be a fairly recent model. That said, there seem to be a good number out there for sale at retailers.

It's interesting that some of the retailers have photos of the watch with the day set to "MON", which would be the same in either language. Some point out the German day wheel, some don't.

Think my first may be a 42mm ETA automatic pilot, A type, as I've already got another pricey one incoming. See what the wife says.


Cheers - Jeff C

[Janne]

What new case finish?

[Uwe W.]

What new case finish?

The different bead blasting and anti-fingerprint coating.

[Janne]

Has it been confirmed from Laco about the anti fingerprint costing, or is it just the new surface finish ( done solely with the blasting) that is more finger print resistant?

Imo the old surfacevwas pretty finger print proof. The best of all my watches.

[Uwe W.]

Has it been confirmed from Laco about the anti fingerprint costing, or is it just the new surface finish ( done solely with the blasting) that is more finger print resistant?

Yes, it's been confirmed. I provided a detailed account of Laco's explanation of the finish in one of the threads within this forum.

[jeffc67]

If only someone would make an anti-fingerprint coating for crystals.

Perhaps I am unique in this, but I have to carry a little cloth in my pocket to keep my watch crystal, my Blackberry screen and my glasses spot free.

At least it's the only place I lean toward OCD... at the moment... besides watch stalking...

Cheers - Jeff C

[Janne]

If only someone would make an anti-fingerprint coating for crystals.

Perhaps I am unique in this, but I have to carry a little cloth in my pocket to keep my watch crystal, my Blackberry screen and my glasses spot free.

At least it's the only place I lean toward OCD... at the moment... besides watch stalking...

Cheers - Jeff C

Jeff, you got it bad, very bad!

[jeffc67]

If I can move back to the subject of English day wheels and off my OCD... or perhaps they're one in the same... %-)

The Valjoux 44 Black chronograph seems to come with English or German (or English & German?) day wheels, though there doesn't seem to be a choice at the Laco site when ordering. There are online retailers clearly selling the watch with English day wheels, and even photos on a German watch site with an English day wheel (below). I must admit that the Valjoux 44 Black is a pretty good looking watch.

In all my watch stalking, I haven't come across a Kiel chrono with an English wheel, though it's obvious there are English-day wheeled movements in the shop.

So... is this a design choice to stick with the German day wheel in the Kiel?

Cheers - Jeff