Description
The Laco Paderborn is a direct descendant of the legendary Beobachtungsuhren (B-Uhren) developed for aerial navigation during the Second World War.
Unlike watches merely inspired by military aviation, the Paderborn is produced by one of the original manufacturers entrusted with building these precision instruments. Every detail reflects that heritage, from the highly legible Type B (Baumuster B) dial and oversized onion crown to the distinctive FL23883 engraving on the case flank - a reference to the original German Air Ministry classification for navigation equipment.
The result is a watch that feels every bit as purposeful today as it did more than eighty years ago.
Inspiration & Design
The Original collection is built with historical accuracy as its guiding principle.
The Type B dial places the minute scale prominently around the outer edge, while the hours occupy a smaller inner circle, allowing navigators to prioritise elapsed minutes during flight. The thermally blued steel hands, dark sandblasted case and brown riveted leather strap faithfully echo the appearance of the original observation watches issued to Luftwaffe navigators.
Rather than recreating the past through nostalgia, the Paderborn preserves one of watchmaking's most important functional designs in a thoroughly modern mechanical timepiece.
Dial & Case
The 42mm dark sandblasted stainless steel case offers the authentic appearance of the original military finish while reducing reflections under bright light.
A domed sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating protects the highly legible black dial, where Super-LumiNova C3 on both the numerals and thermally blued steel hands ensures outstanding readability day or night. The solid engraved caseback further reinforces the military-inspired design, while the brown calf leather strap with rivets completes the unmistakable Flieger aesthetic.
Movement
Powering the Paderborn is the Laco 200 automatic movement, based on the Swiss Sellita SW200 calibre. The movement features hacking seconds, allowing the second hand to stop when the crown is pulled for precise time setting.
Reliable, accurate and easily serviceable, the Laco 200 is well suited to a watch built around the principles of precision, durability and everyday dependability.
Final Thoughts
The Paderborn is more than a pilot watch - it is a continuation of one of aviation's most important horological legacies.
Built by one of the original Flieger manufacturers and faithfully following the historic Beobachtungsuhr specification, it offers collectors an opportunity to own a genuine piece of German watchmaking heritage without compromise.
Explore the Collection
Discover more from Laco.
→ Pilot Watches
→ Navy Watches
→ Chronographs
→ View All Laco Watches
Technical Specifications
| Case size: |
42mm |
| Case material: |
Dark sandblasted stainless steel case with "FL23883" engraving
|
| Case back: |
Solid dark sandblasted stainless steel caseback with engraving |
| Movement type: |
Automatic
|
| Movement no.: |
Laco 200 based on Sellita SW200
|
| Power reserve: |
Approx 42hrs |
| Dial: |
Black matte dial with SuperLuminova C3-coated numerals and indices; thermically blued hands filled with SuperLuminova C3
|
| Glass: |
Sapphire crystal |
| Water resistance: |
10ATM |
| Strap type: |
Leather
|
| Strap material: |
Brown calf with rivets
|
| Buckle: |
Tang buckle
|
| Warranty: |
2 years
|
