Seeking reassurance on a Flieger B purchase

[MAWLER]

Hi All,

I've been looking at a Flieger purchase for a few months now and am almost sold on a Laco B dial. It meets all the technical criteria and it is purely a question of fit that I am concerned with. I have a 7" wrist and I am considering the 42mm.

Ok so the truth is I am not sure about the lugs. From what I can see the current model has pretty straight and square lugs and I am concerned that this will make the watch wear too large on my wrist. Will they stick out to far, will they be to obtrusive - I am just unsure even how much I will like them. Never having seen one or worn one in the flesh I am filled with doubt and don't want to fork out for something that will be too large and cause me not to like the watch. In regard to the lugs I would be far more confident purchasing a Stowa or Hamilton or Steinhart etc.

So what I need is a pep talk, or some fatherly advice, or a reassuring pat on the back. Any takers?

Cheers.

[Uwe W.]

Which specific model are you looking at? I'm sure that someone with a similarly sized wrist to you has posted images that will help you decide on what it will look like, but you need to tell us which B-Muster you're looking at.

[MAWLER]

Sorry, perhaps I didn't make it clear enough in my first post. I would choose the Flieger Type B 42mm auto.

[Uwe W.]

Sorry, perhaps I didn't make it clear enough in my first post. I would choose the Flieger Type B 42mm auto.

I assume you mean the Hannover (Ref: 861691). You were clear, but it's just that there's another 42 mm B-Muster auto, the Miyota, and I wanted to make sure we all knew for sure which case you were referring to.

[MAWLER]

Apologies, absolutely correct, it is the Hannover (never heard it called that before) that I am talking about. The Miyota does appear to have slightly more curvaceous lugs, but I was dissuaded from going that direction because of the crown, Laco logo on the face and the black hands. Plus I live in Switzerland so the ETA movement has slight sentimental value :)

[Uwe W.]

Now that we know exactly which model you're after it's easy to find more information about it by using the forum's search function. I did a search using Hannover as a keyword and found photos of an identical watch (it has a different movement, but that has no effect on its sizing) on a 7 in. wrist. Check out this thread. With respect to the Hannover "code name", you can find all of the names that Laco has issued this year's collection here.

[Myron]

Hi Mawler.

I have a 7.25" wrist, and I do not wear my 42 mm Lacos very often (I'm referring to the ETA case, not the Miyota case). I truly enjoy owning them, and they occupy a special place in my collection, but the Stowas I have are more comfortable for me. If you are doubtful at all, I would steer clear unless you can afford to own them for other reasons. If it's to be the one watch, then I'd get a different model with a more conventional case style that you'd be more comfortable with. Hopefully some other folks will chime in here with their opinions as well.

Kind Regards to All,

Myron

[MAWLER]

Thanks Uwe for the extra effort, I have spent some time already sifting through the threads here and looking at the pics kindly uploaded by WUS members, but I'm still teetering on the edge.

This watch represents some new steps in many ways for me - it will be my first non-quartz, my first watch over 35mm, my first over $300, and its actually supposed to be my 30th Birthday present from a couple of family members. So you can see, the decision has to be the right one!

I would have actually bought the Stowa if not for the price. My reasoning is also why spend $300 on a homage watch when you can get something with genuine lineage for a little more $$, especially if it may be the only flieger I own...

[Uwe W.]

This watch represents some new steps in many ways for me - it will be my first non-quartz, my first watch over 35mm, my first over $300, and its actually supposed to be my 30th Birthday present from a couple of family members. So you can see, the decision has to be the right one! My reasoning is also why spend $300 on a homage watch when you can get something with genuine lineage for a little more $$, especially if it may be the only flieger I own...

You're being extremely sensible about this purchase and that is to be respected. I have two Seiko chronographs that I bought in the late '80s that were over $500 each, an extreme amount of money for me back then, but the quartz movement in each has failed since then and I can't get parts for either, so they're worthless now. Now I spend even more on new watches, but they're always mechanical; I also now know that in all probability my investment is going outlive me.

I wholeheartedly agree with your reasoning to own a watch from an original B-Uhr manufacturer - incredibly they are all still producing watches - instead of one from a manufacturer who is just copying an original design. Of the five original manufacturers, only Laco and Stowa offer models that can be considered affordable by those of us with modest budgets. Stowa is more expensive, but to be fair, they are generally finished to a higher spec level. Laco is really the only choice for a decently priced watch from an authentic B-Uhr manufacturer and Laco is the one I would highly recommend for something as memorable as your 30th birthday purchase.

Of course I own many Laco watches, which are in all shapes and sizes, and I have to say that they all "fit" very well and are comfortable to wear on my 7.5" wrist. I was surprised to read that Myron has issues with the comfort of the Type 0 case, but then again, not everyone's wrist isn't the same. I would suggest that you contact Laco and see what their return policy is. In theory you could order your watch with the peace of mind that in the unlikely event it doesn't fit you, that you could return it.

Good luck - and happy 30th.

[Myron]

It seems it's just the three of us here. Hmm. So, first, let me join Uwe in wishing you a happy 30th birthday.

Second, just to clarify, it isn't really the comfort of the Laco case in question that is the issue for me, since I can't really say I notice a difference in comfort between/among the many watches I own as far as how they feel on my wrist. It's the overall height and straight shape of the case that causes me to usually, not always, choose a different watch to wear to work or during the day on days off. The Laco wears big, owing in part to its minimal bezel, which makes it seem all dial. On the one hand, this is cool, but on the other sometimes it just feels too big for me.

I know Uwe likes pictures, so here is a picture of my wrist with a Laco like the ones we're talking about. Unfortunately, it's a crappy picture taken on a crappy camera, but I think it will serve. The traditionally-shaped case, which is uber-cool, nonetheless comes very close to sticking over the sides of my wrist a little bit.



Here is a picture of the same wrist wearing a Stowa. Notice how the more conventionally-shaped case hugs my wrist a little better. (You will also note there is another Laco in the background.) I wear both of these fine German brands and respect and admire them both for different reasons. I really don't think you'd be disappointed with either, and if you choose a Laco, you'll have it the same week you order and save $300-$400 over the Stowa. If you choose Stowa, you'll wait several months and have made a more significant purchase $-wise.

My initial advice to you was based on how I know my own gut feelings work. It's no different than buying new blue jeans. If they don't feel like they're already mine when I try them on, I don't buy them. In other words, any little shred of doubt may be the seeds of future dissatisfaction, so I really think you should go with your gut.

In the end, I think the only way forward for any flieger fan or would-be flieger fan is to own an example of both. But be careful, it is a slippery and very fun slope. And by the way, whatever you do, come back to the Laco forum often. Uwe is an excellent moderator, and we need more voices here.

Kind Regards,

Myron