2011 Laco Special Edition Project - PROJECT THEME

[Gens]

Common' fella! This is an opportunity to design and create a totally unique piece, to get involved in the production of something truely original and ground breaking.

A tiny variation on what is a totally bland existing watch is surely not the way to go. You guys have a wonderful opportunity here to have something really cool made up. Dont' squander it on simply having your personal choice of existing Laco produced in a tiny run.

Don't get me wrong, Laco's pilot watches are very cool, very hisotrically accurate and obviously very satisfying to some. But they are just black and white pilot wathes which look identical to all the millions of other pilot watches out there, give or take a few minuscule details.

As far as the theme of a WUS Laco SE goes, simply making ANOTHER pilot watch would be seriously lame.

Come on Gens! What interests you? What themes excite you? What colours do you like? What historical events / figures inspire you? What watch face designs have you always liked - "12, 3, 6, 9" "1, 2 / 4, 5 /7, 8 / 10, 11" "V - I -"? What watch hands would you like to see in your perfect watch?

There is so much you can play around with here and have fun with.

It's not that this project doesn't inspire me to be creative. The case and the movement are predetermined. So, the options are limited. Although I'm new to this forum I've been a long time follower, and I know that these kinds of projects will take a lot longer than they should if people try to get creative by starting from scratch. That Steinhart is a good looking watch, but there is absolutely nothing "fresh" about it.

I've been looking to get a Laco Pilot 45 Type B since selling my 42mm Miyota last December. So, when I heard about the special Laco project, I jumped in. I thought people would want a flieger that is close to the original. I don't think another pilot watch would be seriously lame, because there are way too many pilot watches out there trying to be original that having a historically accurate flieger would make us stand out from the crowd.

Anyway, I'm truly interested in the discussion though. However, if we try to design a new watch, it will get messy.

Cheers.

[Janne]

Gens, may I recommend you checking out the first WUS Laco project?

We did "retro-design" the B-dial, very, very accurately, but had to do some tiny adjustments to get the correct visual feel.

[kkwpk]

Maybe we could create chocolate dark brown dialed B-uhr with crown on the left?

[Uwe W.]

BTW, I forgot one thing: Not sure if I am not breaching the copyright of Knirim me copying his pictures?

The photos from his works are not only all over the internet, but this forum as well. I would certainly like to get his permission IF we end up replicating a historical watch and using one of his photos as a reference.

Maybe we could have 51 watches made. No 51/51 given for free to Mr Knirim as a Thank You, and we all split the cost?

You're being awfully generous with everyone's money Janne! Let's stick with 50 watches and keep the costs down. I could understand the gesture if it was a watch of his design that we were using; it seems a little extreme for a photo of someone else's watch though.

[Myron]

I personally don't want those symbols either.
I would like to get a military look like the old Hamiltons or CWC. in a 42mm case. Or maybe even the 36 to be more authentic

I have to agree. I admit to some hypocrisy here, but even though I like B-Uhrs in general, the SS lettering is a bit jarring.

Thanks,

Myron

[Janne]

Let us not orget that Laco has several cases to choose from. Check the Laco website. One (or more?) case type in the Marine watches page


and the classic B-uhr case

[TIMEangel]

i like that Dial very Much. it's Different and we don't see it too often... the Secs i'd like to see:

Hand Wind Decorated Movement. (maybe a Valgrange A07.111).
see through back
46 or 47mm Case Diameter. PLEASE.!!
Brushed or Bead Blasted Case.

Agreed and hope we have this dial for a change

[doctorchrisp]

The W-SS special that Janne initially suggested is a very cool idea. Very unique dial, not replicated before, and if done appropriately (historically speaking) would be a very specialand one of a kind watch. This has my vote. My vote for the case would be 42 or 45 mm, brushed...

[azmanntoz]

Isn't the W-SS called a sextant dial? I'm not sure if it is that unique as I have seen it before on some Aristo's.

[hanz079]

You are right, Aristo does have a model with the sextant dial.
But I guess it's still more unique than your run of the mill A-dial B-dial...
Since the project is still in it's early phase...
Anyone with suggestions on the dial design better voice out now.