Which Pilot's watch would you pick? (IF i could get another watch i'm looking to get a german pilot's watch)

I'd go with the period correct type A. It's better looking without a date

I am very conflicted with this. Thats why i asked for a poll. On the one hand, i really like it to be period correct BUT on the other hand i use the date complication on my watches ALOT and also, i like having bracelets over leather straps because i sweat a lot.

well, I think you have your awnser. You prefer a date complication, you want a metal bracelet, take the modern version then, or maybe take a look at Stowa for their modern version.

I have been leaning towards modern but also consider the classic period correct because it pays respect to the heritage of the watch and the brand. So the dilemma is between my head and my heart and a poll would help me solve the issue 🤣

Any personal experience with stowa? Is it better over laco? I browsed their website they did not offer a bracelet option unless i didnt look hard enough

I would go with a modern Laco or Stowa. While the period correct model seems fun, the size and shape make them (in my opinion) a little more awkward to wear unless, of course, you also plan to wear it over your flight jacket. That’s not based on personal experience, just on videos and photos I saw while researching pilot watches.

While I like the type A pilot style, I don’t like it enough to spend the kind of money IWC wants me to spend on one. I have two modern Lacos instead.

Yes iwc is also outside my comfortable price range. For the purposes of getting the flieger looks but definitely has the heritage, i am ok with stowa and laco. Thanks for your input 🥰

I picked up the Seiko 5 Snoopy pilot's watch and that's my firm recommendation. It's fun, has no Nazi associations, still fulfills the basic tropes of the pilot-watch genre, and doesn't have a whiff of cosplay or pretension about it. And it's only $400 despite being limited, and having a legitimately in-house movement that proved to be more reliable and accurate in real-world use than the IWC Mark XX I ended up selling in frustration.

But thats the type B dial and i think its messy 😁

Thanks for the hearty recommendation 🥰

Wow markxx was bad? Thank you for the owner review. I considered that watch for the longest time. It had good youtuber ratings. I guess i dodged that bullet. 😆

Edit: the japanese were still on the Axis team with the nazis if we're going to discuss that topic 🤣

Islander is also a great option if you want to save some cash.

Definitely and i respect mark as a youtuber as well. But i am going not only for the looks but the history and heritage of the brand as well. 😊

If you're comfortable with the whole idea of a replica of a Nazi pilot's watch (Protip: don't lead lunchroom discussions with that fact), it really comes down to budget. If you're wanting to play at the lower end of the market, then only Laco really fits the bill. If you're happy in the midrange, it's Laco or Stowa and, of those two, I'd say Stowa. IWC only if you want to spend a bundle for no apparent reason. A real waste.

Laco probably has the best dials in my opinion.

You should go all in and settle for a 55mm and wear it on your pants. 😂

I get it though, if I could swing it I'd go for it, but the Europeans just haven't convinced me that their watches are worth the price, good on them though, they're doing just fine without me.

I am comfortable that they served their country during that period and that they probably did not have a choice in the matter. Having been a soldier myself, i understand the 'go to war or go to jail' mentality. I hope none of them have nazi ideals at present.

Why would you recommend stowa over laco? I have no experience with either brand yet and would appreciate the input. NO to iwc pricing 🤣

Those are 4 very convincing reasons.🤩

This is a seriously tough choice (because they all look same!)….aving actually owned a Stowa, I honestly say it’s a truly amazing value

Yes they do because the models are from the same time period and they share that history together. I too like the stowa but they are not offering the watch in a bracelet (which makes sense if we want to be period accurate)

Stowa. I have a Laco and don’t like the IWC.

How do you rate your Laco? Does it happen to be the Laco Pro? Thank you for your suggestion 😊

Stowa feels quality through and through.

If you value customisation, the laco pro is the best choice, and has huge WR of 200m. The size is critical to get right, so make sure you make the right decision with either brand.

The laco aachen/augsberg loom great but the miyota movement feels noticeably cheaper than the Swiss movement in the stowa/laco pro. I prefer the hands on Stowa watches.

Dekla is a good flieger manufacturer too! (Pictured 2nd)

Thank you for the suggestions. Leaning towards the 40mm laco pro in bracelet with date and top grade movement. I'll also have an engraving on the back since it's free. 😊

Awesome! I'm tempted to get the very same, perhaps the larger case and the premium bracelet. Let me know how it goes if you get one 🙂 I can't justify another flieger right now :(

I have to sweet talk my wife before i can get another watch. But i will post it here one day when/if i get it 😁

Laco for $500, Stowa for $1000, IWC for $10,000.

Aesthetics wise, I like Laco's Basic Pilot pricing and Original Erbstück models. I also like Stowa's blued hands. But I also like IWC's polished bezel, because if I spend a lot of money for a watch, I want it to look nice. All are great options, I just buy according to my budget at the time.

I just like that the laco has a bracelet option in the laco pro 🥰

I think they have bracelet options for the Basic and the PRO lines. Only the Original do not have bracelet option.

This Citizen Eco-Drive Pilot Chrono is on sale right now over at amazon-dot-ca 😀

I have gained much respect for citizen since owning my first one recently, and it is also an ecodrive. But i am only considering german pilots watches with heritage from the world war 2 days because it checks a few boxes to diversify my collection:

German made

Pilot watch

Historical value

Military issue

Thanks for the suggestion though 😊

I’m expecting my Augsburg Blaue Stunde 42mm in about 10 days. Just couldn’t keep my eyes off the blue. Ordered the blue leather straps also, so I can switch with the nato.

Niiice. Congrats on the soon to be acquisition 🤗