Laco vs Stowa - what floats your boat?
I thought I didn't like fleigers... Then I decided to test what it would be like to own one. For a while I went back and forth between Stowa and Laco. Eventually bought Laco Venedig primarily due to its luminous dial. I figured if I didn't like fleigers, at least a luminous dial would be an interesting addition to the collection. Honestly, it's been my daily driver eversince. I love this watch and the luminous dial certainly is a big part of this. Before acquisition though, I wondered how Stowa and Laco compare (because there was also a Stowa which I also really liked). Would you say that Stowa is a higher grade than Laco? Vice versa? Which of the two would you pick up if you were presented with a similar predicament?
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Hmm that’s a tough one… Laco!
Hmm that’s a tough one… Laco!
I agonized over this Q for weeks lolol
Some Lowa are better than some Stowa and viceversa.
Some Lowa are better than some Stowa and viceversa.
I got mine with top level, upgraded movement, etc. So hopefully I am in the better camp lol
I got mine with top level, upgraded movement, etc. So hopefully I am in the better camp lol
You are. Both brands allow for high customization, so you can go budget or luxury.
Spent yesterday afternoon thinking about the same question. I like their design but can't really decide which one to go with. I think Stowa is a bit more expensive but necessarily better. Similar design concepts so it is more about what rings your bell. Been thinking about this comparison with Sinn and Damasko aswell
Spent yesterday afternoon thinking about the same question. I like their design but can't really decide which one to go with. I think Stowa is a bit more expensive but necessarily better. Similar design concepts so it is more about what rings your bell. Been thinking about this comparison with Sinn and Damasko aswell
I think at this point Sinn has more models and they seem to be varying up their selections more. As for Stowa and Laco....too similar in my eyes to justify thinking about it too much lol
Laco because it does the biggest spread of price points, letting everyone get on the ladder.
As the years have gone on, however, I feel less at ease with the vibe around classic fliegers in watch communities. YouTubers, in particular, get very hung up on the original flieger manufacturers - IWC, A. Lange & Söhne, Stowa, Laco, and Wempe - and will happily say, "They made watches for the Luftwaffe!" as if that's an incredible thing, when they may as well be saying, "They made watches for the Nazis!"
I find it a very odd thing to be excited about. Certainly not something I would be leading with in a lunchroom discussion of my new purchase. Some people who own a WW2 replica watch get very upset when I say this sort of thing but, remove all emotion from the topic, what I'm saying is perfectly true. I haven't embellished anything. I'm finding it - personally - a harder and harder topic to rationalise.
If I were to buy a Laco watch today - or a Stowa, or any of the other companies - I would be looking at modern designs and just steering clear of what Nazi pilots were wearing in the 1930s and 40s.
All of that said, I acknowledge I'm just sensitive to this kind of thing. I find it equally strange for people to flex about Russian watches in the current environment. I think, "Do you not watch the news? Are you trying to say something coded via your excitement for something Russian? Something else?" Who knows.
Stowa, I like the more modern case shape, size opions, shorter lugs, and the ability for customization. You can choose manual or auto wind, date or no.
I can’t speak to Laco but I have always been impressed by Stowa (I’ve had 3). Their finishing, cases, dials, etc. have always impressed me in person. My Flieger 36 is a staple in my small collection and has been for years.
You are. Both brands allow for high customization, so you can go budget or luxury.
I wouldn't call it luxury but I found out by experience that elabore level is not that accurate, researched it amd figured that there actually is a difference beyond finishing between elabore and top grades due to the martials used in the movement, etc. So i went for the more accurate version of the movement. That's all.
Spent yesterday afternoon thinking about the same question. I like their design but can't really decide which one to go with. I think Stowa is a bit more expensive but necessarily better. Similar design concepts so it is more about what rings your bell. Been thinking about this comparison with Sinn and Damasko aswell
I don't think Stowa is more expensive. It's just that Laco starts at a lower price point for their mass-market watches. Think Bentley vs Mercedes. Merc makes A, B, C classes and Maybach while Bentley plays only in the Uber luxury segment (not that either of these brands is on that level in the watch world).
Spent yesterday afternoon thinking about the same question. I like their design but can't really decide which one to go with. I think Stowa is a bit more expensive but necessarily better. Similar design concepts so it is more about what rings your bell. Been thinking about this comparison with Sinn and Damasko aswell
Sinn designs dont inspire me AT ALL. If I were to consider them, it'd be for their tegmented steel for scratch resistance but then again why not go for a ceramic case for that purpose. Damaskos I actually like by design but for heritage and some of the other considerations they dont come close to Laco and Stowa in the fleiger department.
I think at this point Sinn has more models and they seem to be varying up their selections more. As for Stowa and Laco....too similar in my eyes to justify thinking about it too much lol
In the historic fleiger department they are quite similar but both brands offer other style watches. In my specific case I was thinking Bronze Stowa fleiger which isn't offered by Laco. But Laco offers luminous dials and aged look which isnt in the Stowa catalog. Also lug shapes and engravings are done differently. Also, laco has fleiger chronographs which I believe Stowa doesnt make
Laco, because I can afford it
Sinn designs dont inspire me AT ALL. If I were to consider them, it'd be for their tegmented steel for scratch resistance but then again why not go for a ceramic case for that purpose. Damaskos I actually like by design but for heritage and some of the other considerations they dont come close to Laco and Stowa in the fleiger department.
You are probably looking at the wrong one. Most of them look alike but some pop out very nicely.
I have/had models of both and I prefer Stowa. Their build quality and regulation out of the box is way better imo. Nonetheless both are great for their respective asking prices.
I can’t speak to Laco but I have always been impressed by Stowa (I’ve had 3). Their finishing, cases, dials, etc. have always impressed me in person. My Flieger 36 is a staple in my small collection and has been for years.
Nice watch and beautiful shots!
Laco because it does the biggest spread of price points, letting everyone get on the ladder.
As the years have gone on, however, I feel less at ease with the vibe around classic fliegers in watch communities. YouTubers, in particular, get very hung up on the original flieger manufacturers - IWC, A. Lange & Söhne, Stowa, Laco, and Wempe - and will happily say, "They made watches for the Luftwaffe!" as if that's an incredible thing, when they may as well be saying, "They made watches for the Nazis!"
I find it a very odd thing to be excited about. Certainly not something I would be leading with in a lunchroom discussion of my new purchase. Some people who own a WW2 replica watch get very upset when I say this sort of thing but, remove all emotion from the topic, what I'm saying is perfectly true. I haven't embellished anything. I'm finding it - personally - a harder and harder topic to rationalise.
If I were to buy a Laco watch today - or a Stowa, or any of the other companies - I would be looking at modern designs and just steering clear of what Nazi pilots were wearing in the 1930s and 40s.
All of that said, I acknowledge I'm just sensitive to this kind of thing. I find it equally strange for people to flex about Russian watches in the current environment. I think, "Do you not watch the news? Are you trying to say something coded via your excitement for something Russian? Something else?" Who knows.
To second what you're saying, it blows my mind that people consider IWC a luxury brand. German manufacturers at least have the excuse that they were put under an obligation to comply with their government, but IWC just collaborated with the Nazis for the money. And they sell you the same $500 flieger watch at 20 times the price to add insult to injury.
Stowa for the movements
Both are nice though from what ive seen i think Stowa holds resale value better ..though if you arent selling it doesnt matter ..
Like them both 😊
Stowa for the movements
Same Sellitta movements
Both are nice though from what ive seen i think Stowa holds resale value better ..though if you arent selling it doesnt matter ..
I wonder why being that they are so close to each other
Laco. Very versatile and designed for minimal reflections.
Laco. Very versatile and designed for minimal reflections.
Love it. Have the same straight lugs on mine)
Had a Stowa , loved it but I sold it as it was too big for me … both great watches :)
Laco without a doubt!
Beautiful white dial #laco #stowa
Beautiful white dial #laco #stowa
It's not 💯 white. It has a greenish hue. I was afraid it was going to be off putting because you never know based on photos but I really REALLY love it!