Best and/or favorite flieger watch??

I love Stowa as a brand, but would go with a Sinn or an Archimede - just due to the history of this Flieger style with the brands who manufactured them during WWII. This is just me, and don't believe anyone should not buy one from a legacy brand for my reasoning.

I really like Archimede as a brand in general. They are very versatile and offer good value for your money. Solid option. And Sinn, well what can I say that hasn’t been done by now, simply lovely.

I have to say this one. But I do love Laco and Stowa for what they offer.

The blue from IWC is stunning. Probably my favorite blue dial, but the new “regular” Black Bay also has a very nice blue dial

This is the brand/model that got my money.

Laco Pro.

Really cool. Probably my favorite Laco is the HAMBURG DIN 8330

I think this one from Whitby is a beauty.

Love it.

One day I'd like an Urbstuck (the aged one, coz I know I've spelt it wrong 🙄)

Haven’t seen it before, but it’s really cool

Depends on how often you're actually going to be wearing a Fleiger. I feel like Laco strikes the right balance for me but would easily go to Stowa also.

You’re right. What would be your daily choice and maybe something that feels a bit more special? Me: My daily Sinn 556, special maybe an IWC Mark XX

Here’s a different one, you don’t see much; Autran & Viala NightFlight:

I also have a Laco flieger chrono. I don’t think you can go wrong with Laco, or indeed Stowa (based on my marine’s quality).

Hadn’t seen this one before befor either. But really cool option as well

It’s an Ickler brand, one step down from the Archimede (but still a decent case quality).

I have a Laco Aachen Oliv, Sinn 556 & 104, Nodus Sector Pilot and Longines Spirit.

I’m a fan of Pilot watches and would like to get some other brands. I particularly like the look of Stowa.

Yes, very similar although the Laco dial looks a little glossy. The Whitby is flat gray in a titanium case.

Laco Aachen

The only Flieger I own. Great quality case and finishing. Good strap and quite a low price.

I go to Germany a lot for work wearing this watch. I never get any comment or even look at the watch longer than a few seconds. I believe WW2 is ancient history for most Germans.

The Laco 39 Augsburg versions work for me. Nice price, traditional brand and great quality. But the real deal are IWC Mark models for me.

I can totally agree on that.

Given that no one looks at, cares about, or knows of, the history of any watch we might choose to wear in public, that's somewhat of a strawman argument to what I said.

My point was, if asked about one of the 'big five' watches, the more one explains the background, the worse it would seem to the general member of the public asking.

Again, people actively seeking to make their flieger from the big five as accurate as they can to the 1930s, would not seem like normal behaviour to 'the Average Joe'.

It's one thing to wear a non-wartime model from Laco or Stowa, etc, and comment to someone that, "This is by a German brand that's been around for many years..."

It's a totally different thing to say, "I have actively sought out the same model that was used by the Luftwaffe, and done everything I can to make it the same as those ones..."

The first question any right-minded Average Joe would ask is, "Uh... why?"

I like the plain look of the Stowa. I've had this for 9 years and still love it to this day. It's the very first watch I bought myself.

The spirit is one of the best modern pilot watches 👌🏽

Just saw this one the other day, very cool option

Totally get you. I appreciate the story behind them and I do like them, but I lean towards a bit more for the modern pilots

This would have to be my favorite. Probably my most worn watch is my Sinn 857 UTC VFR. It's super legible, thin, comfortable wearing for a 43mm watch, and can take a beating with the tegimented steel.

I have to say I am a Flieger watch fan. Though the Sinn is my favorite, I've got thoughts on others.

Dream Flieger, I would probably go to the IWC Mark XX. It seems like they hit the nail on the head with this one. I refuse to try it on because I'm afraid I'll end up trying to buy it. My under the radar Type A dial would be the Wempe Zeitmeister Aviator. Chronometer movement, date, great looking finishing, from one of the OG's at $2k USD is a bargain.

I love Stowa as a brand, great finishing and attention to detail (hence my Antea Classic purchase may moons ago) but I think the Wempe is a step above. I, myself, am a fan of the type B dial. In my opinion I lean towards the Laco original pilot for that version, over the Stowa. It's not as finished as the Stowa but feels more rugged with the bead blasted case.

Outside of the original 5 (and Sinn), I love the Marathon navigator line. Although I have moved on my SSNAV-D I am already planning a repurchase of the no date. It took all of 48hrs after the sale to realize just how much that watch brings to the table. If you're one of those with a distaste to the history of the Flieger watch, then the Marathon should be near the top of your list to check out. I am secretly hoping they do a white dial, Arctic version of SSNAV. One can dream.

Here ends my mini rant on Fliegers.

As a Lume enthusiast, a Laco or Stowa Type B dial will always get my vote.

Sir what a beautiful watch you have here. Congratulations it’s really stunning 👏🏽

I agree! That's why I bought both, the Laco first, the Mark XX about six months later. But you know what? I think the Laco looks like the more authentic flieger - because while the IWC is quite discreet, it is very obviously a luxury watch, especially on the bracelet. The Laco looks like it's there to do a job, and to do it robustly and well - and no more. (Which of course is what we love about it...)