Not My Norm: Laco 42.5mm Manual
Shared this with @Lauren wanted to share with the community as well.
I found this on eBay from a dude stating “It was a gift”….when pressed I got the “I think it’s broken” line….after some negotiation we settled on, one I believed to be a fair price, for a “broken” watch.
Received it a day ago, after a full wind, this was a the timegrapher…
Yeah, to put it mildly I was like, “cool”…project time…
I grabbed a trusty suction cup (back felt loose) and the display caseback came free.
Alright, so here is where the fun comes in, these manual wind movements (and most autos), for all our watch lovers, can be adjusted with a toothpick.
I grabbed one, nudged the regulator back to center (it seemed to be well into the slow/retard side of the movement versus near center even in pics from eBay). NOTE: I didn’t touch the stud carrier to see if simply adjusting the regulator would help before we got into the weeds of disassambly/cleaning (hygiene), repair, etc. plus, beat error seemed fine, amplitude, not so much, but again, we’re early.
First “push” on the regulator arm got me to +31ish…but the joy was when I saw the amplitude show very healthy…another push in the opposite direction….and
We’re in business.
So, now let’s chat about this Laco 42.5mm Cuxhaven (named after a town in Germany), Navy Pilot’s watch.
She is big on my wrist (for me on my 7.25” wrist)…I know, I know, he’s, hi have a 7” wrist and wear 50mm watches, for me I just couldn’t….I wear 36-40mm watches (and have worn them for decades)… I have had up to 45mm watches that got very little time outside of the box.
According to Laco’s site, which has an awesome wrist sizing area…where you can literally print paper watches to try on, I’ll link if needed, I “should” be wearing watches upward of 43mm…to each their own.
The dial looked Iike enamel, however, it’s an enamel style paint and it’s beautiful.
Hands are blued and lumed, dial numerals are lumed, strap is super soft, there is a cool coin detail around the fixed bezel, finishing feels wonderful and it’s very comfortable on wrist.
I might be contrarian here, when we’re all being hoarded back into the “smaller” camp to sell us more watches, but I think now that I wore small watches when big watches were cool…now it’s time for me to wear a “big” watch when small ones are taking over :)
Couple of questions:
*What size is on your wrist today?
*Any experience with Laco? - I’m very impressed right now.
Have a great week Watch Crunchers!
My kids pick the watch I wear each day. *Be sure to disable your Location Settings before posting watch shots* …yeah I’m the guy who had 90+ watches stolen.
lovely dial
Beautiful watch. Good story. Glad it all worked out.
I love Laco, good job curing that watch, its beautifull.
I have a 42mm augsburg with 50 lug to lug and my wrist os smaller then yours but I think I can pull it off. Fliegers are supposed to be big, they were 50mm originally to house the swiss pocketwatch movements and to be worn over the pilots puffy coat.
This is mine, its a limited edition with a miyota movement, sapphire, blued hands, ar and awesome lume.😁
Nice, I tend to browse Laco almost every day 😬 Id like to get my hands on a Dortmund flieger maybe
This one is on my shortlist. Hard to choose between this and the Bremerhaven but damn the white dial and lume are top notch!
It’s gorgeous. Size? Whatever… I have a bit of contrarian in my soul, too. Nice job on the regulation! Well done. 👍🏻
Oh, I have a Nodus Sector Pilot, 39mm, on now. 38-39mm feels like sweet spot for my 6.5”/16.5cm wrist, though I have from 34mm vintage to 42.5mm SSK/SRPD.
I love Laco, good job curing that watch, its beautifull.
I have a 42mm augsburg with 50 lug to lug and my wrist os smaller then yours but I think I can pull it off. Fliegers are supposed to be big, they were 50mm originally to house the swiss pocketwatch movements and to be worn over the pilots puffy coat.
Dude, I’m down the rabbit hole!!!!!
This is mine, its a limited edition with a miyota movement, sapphire, blued hands, ar and awesome lume.😁
Stunner!!!!!
Nice, I tend to browse Laco almost every day 😬 Id like to get my hands on a Dortmund flieger maybe
So good!!!!!!
Wow great pilot Watch and great story congrats
Beautiful watch. Would buy 39mm version.
Really love this, the strap works so well
Laco has been on my wish list. I think it is a good value in the pilot watch space.
Great story and well done my friend!! I have a 7 inch wrist and currently wearing my Submariner 114060. I wears super big for a 40mm but I think I'm getting away with it for my taste.
My current dream watch is a Rolex 116000 blue dial with 3.6.9.
36mm, but apparently wears like a 37 if not a little bigger. Think that would be a great match for my taste vs wrist size.
Anywho, enough rambling!
Have a great day!
Awesome. Glad it was a simple fix.
Laco is on my list for sure.
Beautiful watch. On my wish list for my Perfect collection.
I love my OG Cuxhaven! :)
Very nice story and for a small bit of work you got yourself a beautiful watch for a great deal. 👏🏽!
Sharing my LE 17/250 Oliv 39. My only green piece.
I have debated a Horween leather strap in green for this…
It looks Amazing on your wrist it Would go grate with a cram colored botton shirt or a cream trench coat
It looks Amazing on your wrist it Would go grate with a cram colored botton shirt or a cream trench coat
I like your style!
I've found myself doing exactly the same. Spent 40 years wearing watches 32mm to 38mm but in the last few years I'm wearing bigger and bigger watches. On today is the 42mm Explorer 2. 8"+ wrist. 🤷
I've found myself doing exactly the same. Spent 40 years wearing watches 32mm to 38mm but in the last few years I'm wearing bigger and bigger watches. On today is the 42mm Explorer 2. 8"+ wrist. 🤷
I know I’ll continue to wear my “normal” watches, but I think it’s sorta liberating to realize that I can just wear whatever/whenever. I know folks say that “you do you” …but it’s also what feels comfortable…larger sizes take a little time to get used to (as do smaller sizes)….i find myself requiring. A little adjustment period, but honestly, way worse stuff in the world than wondering if “the dial is too small ;)”
I know I’ll continue to wear my “normal” watches, but I think it’s sorta liberating to realize that I can just wear whatever/whenever. I know folks say that “you do you” …but it’s also what feels comfortable…larger sizes take a little time to get used to (as do smaller sizes)….i find myself requiring. A little adjustment period, but honestly, way worse stuff in the world than wondering if “the dial is too small ;)”
It's not been a conscious decision. All during the "big" watch fashion I just didn't like the look. Now smaller watches are gaining traction I seem to like the look of bigger watches. Could have something to do with my wrist going from 7.5" to 8.5" 😂
It's not been a conscious decision. All during the "big" watch fashion I just didn't like the look. Now smaller watches are gaining traction I seem to like the look of bigger watches. Could have something to do with my wrist going from 7.5" to 8.5" 😂
Ha!!!! I’m trying to go the other direction!
I have debated a Horween leather strap in green for this…
That would look awesome I reckon. 😉
I love my OG Cuxhaven! :)
Oh man, that blue strap is rad!!!!!
That's an amazing watch, well done.