Laco Kiel.2 Schwarz review

I have always wanted a pilot chronograph watch and have been researching for months between IWC Pilot Chronograph 41mm, Steinhart Nav B Chrono, Archimede Pilot Chronograph and Damasko DC 56.

Finally found a Laco Kiel.2 and deliberated for weeks. Even spoke to a member here who had the Laco Kiel.2 Weiss.

Decided to get the Laco due to heritage and the wearing proportions. Also facinated with Laco’s history as one of the five flieger watch manufactuers during that period alongside IWC, Wempe, Stowa and Lange.

Liked the extra historical detail such as the thermally blued hands, clean black dial with black day-date markers so that it does not look out of place. Love the fact that Laco paid attention to the length of the hour and minutes hands which touches the arabic numerals at the right point. Some chronographs out there do have shorter hour hands which do not touch the hour markers (a flaw in my opinion).

Case finishing is very good and with good proportions 51.5 mm lug to lug which is extremely wearable for my 6.75 inch wrist thanks to its shorter lug design. Watch is very comfortable. The dial is extremely legible with under the crystal anti reflective coating.

Major selling point is for me is the full numerals on the dial with the “6” present. A rarity on pilot chronographs out there in the market especially IWC that “cuts it out”.

Selitta 500 is a workhorse movement and should be easier and cheaper to service. Another plus point vs IWC in house movements for the new watches. Could have bought preowned but I just cannot unsee the dial with a missing “6”. IWC pilot chronos do look extremely pretty on the sunburst blue or green dial but that is a more modern take.

I am extremely happy with the watch and German day- date function is very unique and fitting for a German watch. Forces me to learn the days of the week in German.

I have a collection of higher end Swiss timepieces and decided to go for underrated German watches and Laco does not disappoint. Am a huge new fan considering I just bought the Aachen Blaue Stunde pre owned last month.

This watch is a keeper for me. I suspect many owners are very happy with Laco Chronographs as not many Laco Kiels and Monte Carlo are available for sale. I have been scouring forums, chrono24, ebay etc for a month. Highly recommended buy as a permanent keeper as the resale prices are rather heavily discounted for this Brand. Go with IWCs if resale value and prestige is a concern.

Did I say the lume (on the Schwarz version) is amazing on the full dial, hour and minutes hand, small seconds hand, chronograph seconds hand as well? Something missing on almost all pilot chronographs in the market including higher priced watches.