Description
The Laco Frankfurt 43 GMT Schwarz takes the clarity and functionality of the classic pilot's watch and adapts it for modern travel. A dedicated 24-hour hand works with an internal rotating bezel to display a second time zone, while the dark sandblasted case, black dial and flashes of orange give the watch a distinctly contemporary instrument aesthetic.
Powered by the Swiss-based Laco 330 automatic movement and equipped with magnetic-field protection and 200 metres of water resistance, the Frankfurt GMT is a genuinely capable travel watch built on Laco's aviation heritage.
Inspiration & Design
Pilot watches have always been instruments first, designed to deliver essential information quickly and clearly. The Frankfurt GMT extends that philosophy to one of the realities of modern travel: moving between time zones.
A dedicated 24-hour hand indicates a second time zone against the internal rotating bezel. Rather than requiring the bezel to be manipulated directly, it is adjusted using the watch's second screw-down crown - keeping the functionality integrated within the case.
The design combines recognisable Laco pilot-watch elements with a more contemporary technical character. Its dark sandblasted finish references the purposeful appearance of historic aviation instruments, while the orange GMT indication clearly separates travel time from the primary display.
The Frankfurt GMT's combination of classic and modern design was recognised with a Red Dot Award for Product Design in 2020.
Dial & Case
The black dial retains the immediate readability central to Laco's pilot-watch design. Arabic numerals and indexes are treated with Super-LumiNova C3, complemented by a crisp white minute scale.
Thermally blued hour and minute hands are also luminous, while the seconds hand incorporates an aircraft detail. The dedicated GMT hand is finished with orange Super-LumiNova, making the second time zone immediately distinguishable from local time.
The dark sandblasted stainless-steel case measures 43mm in diameter, 12.5mm high and 50mm lug-to-lug. It incorporates additional magnetic-field protection and is topped by a double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
Two protected screw-down crowns operate the watch and internal rotating bezel, while the solid screw-down caseback is decorated with an aircraft relief.
Water resistance is rated to 200m/20ATM.
Movement
The Frankfurt GMT is powered by the Laco 330 automatic movement, based on the Swiss-made Sellita SW 330-2.
Designed specifically for GMT functionality, the movement drives the central 24-hour hand used to track a second time zone alongside the conventional hours, minutes and seconds.
Combined with the independently adjustable internal 24-hour bezel, the system gives the Frankfurt GMT a practical travel complication without compromising the straightforward readability expected of a Laco pilot's watch.
Bracelet / Strap
The Frankfurt 43 GMT Schwarz is supplied on a black, water-resistant FiberTech strap, paired with a stainless-steel buckle and a 20mm lug width.
A second grey-and-orange nylon strap is included, providing a more casual and overtly aviation-inspired alternative while picking up the orange GMT accents on the dial.
Laco also supplies a strap-changing tool, making it easy to switch between the two. The complete set is presented in an aluminium box together with a "Remove Before Flight" keyring.
Final Thoughts
The Frankfurt GMT succeeds because the additional functionality feels like a natural extension of the pilot-watch concept rather than complication for its own sake.
The second time zone is useful, intuitive and visually well integrated. At the same time, magnetic-field protection, screw-down crowns and 200 metres of water resistance make this considerably more robust than the average travel watch.
It remains unmistakably Laco, but this isn't a historical reproduction. The Frankfurt GMT takes the brand's aviation DNA and gives it a genuinely modern purpose - something its Red Dot Award recognition reinforces.
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Technical Specifications
| Case size: |
43mm |
| Case material: |
Dark sandblasted stainless steel |
| Case back: |
Solid screw-down stainless-steel caseback with aircraft relief |
| Movement type: |
Automatic
|
| Movement no.: |
Laco 330 based on Sellita SW330-2
|
| Power reserve: |
Approx 56hrs |
| Dial: |
Black with white minute scale; thermally blued luminous hour and minute hands; luminous seconds hand with aircraft detail; 24-hour hand with orange Super Luminova; internal rotating bezel adjustable via second crown |
| Glass: |
Double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides |
| Water resistance: |
20ATM |
| Strap type: |
2 straps
|
| Strap material: |
1x black, water-repellent FiberTech strap
1x grey/orange nylon strap |
| Buckle: |
Stainless steel tang buckle
|
| Warranty: |
2 years
|
