MISTER B - The Stowa Flieger Classic Handwindable Review

[@mb-watches]

Slight correction in case of the movement. Stowa used, due to supply issues from eta, selita movements. So the current catalog shows that. Nevertheless they changed back to the modified eta 2804-2. Difference visually is that the eta has 17 jewels where the selita has 19. Sorry for that, just learned about in the watch forum I am member in

[@Bas1lio]

What will be written on the back of the watches so? The info about the movement is on the winder.

[@ksjdhg]

Great insights on this watch! ... and it's good to hear "Stowa" spoken in its mother tongue. Cheers

[@pilotstyle123]

I have it on my wrist for 2 weeks now and it is perfect. High quality, timeless design, very comfortable and all made from a traditional and transparent small company. Great value for money.

[@mb-watches]

Totally agree on that, wear it in good health mate 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@CoinsandBullion]

Sounds like a German accent? 10/10 would listen again

[@mb-watches]

Can’t deny that ... 😊, thanks for watching mate 🙏🏻

[@NeoRazor]

My favorite review of the Stowa Flieger. Thank you sir, well done.

[@mb-watches]

Wow, thanks a lot mate, really appreciate that, I am happy you liked it🙏🏻

[@NeoRazor]

I'm really enamored with this watch, and I'm saving money to buy one now, so you can believe that I've been all over KZbin watching all the reviews of it that I can find. Something about your review really finalized the decision for me, so I know I'm going forward with it. Just got to save up about $1000 USD, now.

[@mb-watches]

I know that status going all over KZbin investigate about watches. The Stowa is a really cool watch, hope you can get it soon. The hunt is the fun part in collecting, I think, enjoy it mate 👍🏻

[@MrVoayer]

Timeless design ! Quality execution ! Beautiful watch ! Nice and honest review ! Thank you for sharing !

[@mb-watches]

I am happy you did like it , thanks mate

[@AdamRohweder]

Thank you for a nice, informative review! Just what I was looking for. Also you being German gives it the perfect pitch. This watch might be my next one, just plus logo, date and case engraving I think. Danke!

[@mb-watches]

Happy I could help a bit. I took last year a video about the type B version with logo and date in the automatic version, might be interested in that as well, maybe 😊

[@AdamRohweder]

Mister B I’ll check it out! Thank you.

[@cj1000]

Super review, you covered so many interesting aspects, especially your comparisons to other brands. Danke!

[@mb-watches]

TEEJ, thanks a lot bro, I tried to cover all points of view and liked to share with you the why of my decision, i am happy it worked 👍🏻🙏🏻

[@jacc88888]

Definitely a thumbs up! Great review. The type B version of this watch ticks all the boxes for me: beautiful manual wind movement (I’ve been looking for one for ages), perfect size for my wrists, great looks and great lume. Now I’ll have to look it up and see if it is way out of my budget : they look expensive!

[@mb-watches]

Thanks buddy👍🏻🙏🏻 Stowa makes some neat watches. Check them out, that version costs about 1,1K ordered from their store but check out watch forums. They do sell uses for About 500-800.

[@jacc88888]

Mister B Thanks for the info! I think used might be the way to go.

[@brechtvanhoenacker3224]

Doen it have hacking seconds?

[@ayfj4572]

I have the Stowa Ikarus and I love it. I'm so impressed with Stowa I'm going to order the brass B dial Fleiger.

[@mb-watches]

The Ikarus is great and it will go really well with the Bronze one, cool choice bro🙏🏻

[@ayfj4572]

@@mb-watches Your right, bronze, why did I say brass.

[@hjander]

Good point, the website comes into play in making a decision. It does for me, too. Good video.

[@mb-watches]

Thanks for watching mate 👍🏻

[@tenshin2002]

Very good review and very good reasoning on why you chose the Stowa! I have been looking at the Stowa flieger for many years. I have an Archimede Pilot 42mm, but I think the Stowa 40mm would be perfect for my small wrist. Thanks for sharing!

[@mb-watches]

Happy you did liked my vid mate, the Archimede 42 is gorgeous, I think stowa would better offer their Fliegers in 40, 42 and 44 but happy with my choice still. Thanks for watching

[@Wvk5zc]

Just ordered the similar one but with logo! As I want everyone to know that I am wearing Stowa haha

[@mb-watches]

Congratulations mate, Hope you'll receive your Stowa soon, the logo version is great, i have to check the movement to figure out that's a stowa haha

[@FitOutPost]

I like your reasons for purchasing this watch. It appears we have similar tastes in so many ways, although I do not own any of those expensive brands like Rolex, but if I had to chose some other time pieces, I'd probably reasoned it pretty much the same way as you did.

[@OrenBVideo]

Thank you for the review, how many hours do you get for one full spring wind?

[@mb-watches]

Hi Oren, that indeed is a good question, I did wind it every day before going to work, left it 24 hours at home as I switched to another and it was still running, as it’s a standard EtA it should have about 48h but never really checked or tested that.

[@MegaWavesMusic]

Thanks for the informative review. You've convinced me to go for the Stowa ✌️

[@mb-watches]

Hi MegaWaves, I am happy if this vid is a lil bit help, I am still happy with the Stowa but I don’t Try to convince anzbody, just sharing my opinion. Have as well an eye on Tourby watches, they are a great brand, too. If you wanna go though with one of the original 5 Stowa is for me the one to go with. Let me know when you get yours how you like it, cheers and greetings, Konstantin

[@MegaWavesMusic]

Mister B Oh my goodness!! 🤔Thank you so much for making me aware of Tourby watches. They have the 40mm blue dial pilots watch that IWC also has, but for half the price. I really like that and going to consider that. You rock! I like your channel.✌️and best regards.

[@logang865]

Have you seen the Tourby Flieger? I'm currently debating on going with the Stowa or the Tourby.

[@mb-watches]

Hi Logan, Tourby watches in Hagen are actually nearby my hometown and they are awesome. I just didn't get one as I wanted for my Flieger watch one of the original five. Tourby has now a Flieger with a beautiful diamond crown and great blue sunburst dial, if you don't care about the original 5 give Tourby a try. Customer service as well is great and you can ask them for some configurations on your model.

[@gregcarnall9097]

Hi great review keep up the good work. I am looking to buy one but cant decide if the 40mm is big enough. I have a 7 inch wrist so think it would be ok, do you have a view on the size. I am also leaning towards the hand wound version as a nod to the original. Do you know if the hand wound ETA movement is also the top grade movement like the auto? I did look at the sport 43mm but for some reason i just dont quite like the look of the thicker case!! Thanks

[@mb-watches]

Hi Greg, The 40mm should fit just fine, my wrists are 7,3'ish and it wears perfectly fine, even though a flight watch can be a lil bit bigger. I as well did check out the Sport but don't like the proportions and especially the crown that much. The ETA manual wind movement is just available in elabore but nicely regulated and my Stowa did run perfectly in + 2 secs which is a very good result. Of course did ask Stowa why the manual eta is more expensive than the 2824 in top grade, reason is that mainly the automatic Flieger is ordered and due to this the automatic movement is cheaper in the purchase for them. Hope I could help out a lil, greetings from Germany, I am happy you liked the vid 🙏🏻😊

[@gregcarnall9097]

Thank you for the quick response you have eased my mind on the size issue. Your wrist is bigger than mine and it looks fine on your wrist. I did look at the unitas hand wind but didnt like the no second hand, and i dont like the small second hand on a flieger, i think it has to have a normal second hand. I think i will go ahead and order on Monday. Thanks again

[@mb-watches]

Happy if I could help, the Unitas version is awesome as it's a beautiful movement for a Flieger but as well have the same feelings about the second hand. In terms of the size it's mainly personnel preference but I think you going to be really fine. Would like to learn about your opinion if you get your Stowa, cheers mate

[@gregcarnall9097]

I will let you know when i get it, but the web site is saying end of Oct so i have a long wait :(

[@mb-watches]

Damn that indeed is a long time:( I did get in touch with them, just try it mate, maybe they can speed things up a little. Alternatively you could check out Tourby, they are not one of the original 5 but do have as well beautiful Flieger watches and do. supply actually to the U.S. Army. The finish of their cases is exquisite and the movements well regulated, too.

[@ronancollett5270]

Great review. You simply can't go wrong with the Stowa Flieger Klassik 40. I'm with you, definitely no logo and Handaufzug. Would love to have one of the Flieger Sport models one day. As for Laco, they have released WAY too many models thereby diluting the pedigree of their brand. Plus, I can't get the idea out of my head that it's someone's job in their workshop to dunk their watches in coffee then take them out back and run them over with an SUV to achieve that fauxtina look. It's just cringeworthy.

[@mb-watches]

😂😂 thanks buddy, you just made my day 🙏🏻🙏🏻 I am absolutely with you there, I think the more conservative way of stowa is long term the better one, ain’t a fan of fault Patina at all 😊👍🏻🙏🏻

[@shaneharper1860]

I think I need one of these!

[@mb-watches]

Still have one in the collection, really can recommend it, but if possible go for the 41mm Unitas one. Would do the same if I would select again 👍🏻

[@watchcollectingstrategy]

Such a cool watch!! I had no idea they had 40mm fleigers!! Cheers, WCS

[@mb-watches]

Thanks my friend, the 40mm is in terms is the design close to the original, you should check them out. They do have also a Chrono in 41 which really is Gorgeous

[@stevepabb]

Nice review, I'm about to buy this watch. Can you please tell me why you chose the handwind rather that the automatic. I'm confused on which too buy, or if one is better than the other. Please can you help with reply, thank you..

[@mb-watches]

Hi Mary top, happy you did like my review😊 Actually you will do fine with what ever your choice will be. Stowa does use movements in top grade, I choose the manual wind version as this is to me how a Flieger watch is supposed to be. As well I do have mainly automatic movements and I though the manual windabls Stowa ads nicely to my manual windable Chronos. So it's more like personal preference and what I thought would fit into my collection, hope this will help you. Cheers, MISTER B

[@tobacco118]

Do you find the crown sitting too low, rubbing against your wrist when you wear the watch?

[@mb-watches]

Never had this problem, but I wear it on Natos but this shouldn’t be an issue on the leather strap too.

[@plamen2110]

wow I really like this video production! I'm surprised you have so few subscribers. I am looking to buy a higher end Flieger and Stowa's Klassik is number 1 on my radar. I might go for the B version though as, minutes are more important to me. Again I really enjoyed your video and accent :)

[@mb-watches]

Thanks a lot Silly Plamen, i am happy you like my vids and channel🙏🏻🙏🏻 A merry Christmas to you and your beloved ones and greetings from Germany 🎄🎄😊😊

[@plamen2110]

And a Merry Christmas to you and yours as well :) Do you have an instagram? I'd be happy to follow you there as well. Aslo I would love to see a comparison of the lume between this Flieger A and the B models if you ever get a chance to handle one.

[@dong6498]

I’m torn between choosing hand winding or auto l, what do you prefer and why?

[@mb-watches]

Depends, but when I have a Flieger watch I want it to be manual, when it’s in the old design. 🙏🏻👍🏻

[@officialMainspring]

automatic they use is top grade 2824, further modified with their own rotor made of wolfram(tungsten), and according to Stowa they adjust the movement in 5 position prior to leaving the factory. I own the non logo, non date, auto version and I can tell you, imho, the best flieger made today. manual is more period correct but current Stowa is slightly modernized version of their old watch so it fits for me. simply put, you get a higher quality movement with the auto, not to take away anything from the manual version. can't go wrong either way though.

[@mb-watches]

officialMainspring, thanks for the update, just received the b dial automatic date no logo classic, review is found to come next Sunday 😊🙏🏻

[@adbraham]

Good about the eta movement; more reliable IMO. Love this watch but went for a 42mm Tourby automatic Flieger because of the screw down crown and water resistance, True, Stowa do a waterproof Flieger, but that one just doesn't look as good as the you reviewed here!

[@mb-watches]

Thanks Adrian, I like Tourby a lot as they are not far away from my hometown and make beautiful watches in great quality. But I wanted one of the original 5. We do have the same feeling about the better waterproof Flieger Sport, I am not a big fan of the case design and it’s proportions. Wear your 42 Flieger in good health 👍🏻👍🏻🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@adbraham]

I agree with you; I would have liked one by one of the 5 original, and it's a shame that Tourby, whilst a good watch, does not have that pedigree of the others; and I really like the hand winding 40mm Stowa, IMO it is the nicest Flieger Stowa make; I make yet get one, but at the moment all my watches (and I have too many!) have screw down crowns, I like the additional security :) Nice review BTW!

[@stevepabb]

Thank you for your speedy and honest reply, much appreciated. I would recommend anyone to subscribe to your page like I've donr. Your content is very informative, keep up the good work.

[@mb-watches]

Thanks so much, keep working on it. 😊 Greetings, MISTER B

[@philj212]

i am considering getting this with solid casebook with b uhr engraving on the back swell as the fl 23883 engraving on the side

[@mb-watches]

That’s great, not sure whether Stowa does that, I just saw Laco with that casebacks.

[@philj212]

i sent them an e mail. if you really want it as close to the originals as possible they can even make the engravings on the inside of the caseback like it was on the fliegers that were in use in ww2 :)

[@mb-watches]

The service from Stowa is pretty good, you’ll not regret that purchase, I promise, lovin’ my Flieger and this even though the honeymoon period is over.

[@stevehoffman9735]

Helpful, thank you!

[@Somos_Instantes_]

Muy buena recomendación, gracias por la información 👍

[@seanm3226]

You gave me all the reasons to buy a Laco.

[@mb-watches]

If this is the case I am as well very happy as it helps you to find your watch 👍🏻🙏🏻

[@seanm3226]

To be specific. I prefer the Laco (Paderborn) case shape, case finish and case size.

[@mb-watches]

Sean M, Laco does offer more variations and sizes and is closer to the original design, that’s true. Wish you a lot of find with the Paderborn 👍🏻

[@mistikalsunshine]

nice review, tks for sharing.

[@mb-watches]

xiexie David, happy you liked. Greetings, MISTER B

[@spankyharland9845]

Die ursprüngliche Fliegeruhr hatte einen Durchmesser von 55 mm.

[@hurryporter4824]

could it hacking second hand?

[@mb-watches]

As it uses an eta: yes it has hacking seconds

[@hurryporter4824]

is that eta2801-2 movement?

[@mb-watches]

2804-2 👍🏻

[@Anirossa]

The basic line of laco has the same lugs

[@zillsburyy1]

yyyaahhhh

[@hjander]

Instructive

[@josecasas9726]

I have a sligth problem with my Stowa, that I bough tback in 2005. The problem is that the second hand is too vivsble, that is too wide and when looking fast at the time, many times I have cofused the very visible second hand with the minute hand. Of course the remedy is obious but I do not want to open the watch to change the second hand or paint it in another colour, If some one has had the same problen as mine, please let me know the remedy. Thank you. Jose Casas

[@mb-watches]

Didn’t notice that with mine 👍🏻😊🙏🏻

[@anthonym4238]

Narrated by Professor Ludwig Von Drake

[@MrVoayer]

Can you, please, elaborate on why do you find IWC's lume disappointing? I have never had a chance to see IWC's BIG Pilot 5009 at night. Thus any information you can provide about IWC's lume in current generation of BIG Pilot watches would be much appreciated. Stowa (and Archimedes) have all the markers lumed: hour markers, minute markers and digits. They have all three hands lumed as well. I know that previous generations of IWC's BIG Pilot watches had lume applied rather scarcely (see www.fliegeruhr.ch/nachtflug.htm). How is it with IWC's current generation of BIG Pilot watches - 5009?

[@mb-watches]

In terms of mark 16 and 5004 the loom is very bad as not bright and in terms of the 5004 they just applied lume on the 6, 9 and 12 position. On the German watch forum is one member who even spend extra for reluming his 5004. The 5009 sports better lume but still the lume does not seem to be that good. At Wempe in Hamburg I asked whether they knew about the issue and the seller mentioned that IWC choose a lighter lume as the brighter it gets the greener it looks in reality. Makes sense as if I compare the dial of the 5009 with the stowa ones it indeeed looks more greenish than the IWC's. Same with the turtle. But being frank and honest: I did not make a test between a 5009 and the stowa. And Rolex loom is white in the day and bright in the night. I just referred to personal and in forums discussed experience with the 5004, the Mark 16 a friend of mine has and of the Feedback I got from Wempe this year.

[@mb-watches]

If you check in my video the catalogue lume of the stowa is a crisp white the real stowa beside looks more like off white. The real IWC 5009 dial looks more crisp white

[@MrVoayer]

Thank you for additional info.

[@MrVoayer]

Yes, I know that IWC 5009 looks like having true white colour on all the markers on the dial, and on hands. I tried it on in IWC boutique in Wien, but I forgot to test it's lume. I don't mind off-white colour of Stowa. I do not like orange colour of the dial that Stowa uses on their "90 Jahre Jubiläum Limitierte Serien" models. Again, Thank you for your answer. One more question, though: what is your opinion of Archimedes Pilot models? I like them, too. I have never seen them live but form the pictures on their Web site it seems that their models are of considerable quality. Only their case is a little less true to "original" Fliger watches. That is what makes me uncertain about Archimedes.

[@mb-watches]

Actually I haven't consider them as I was looking for a Flieger of one of the big 3. In the watchforums they are recommended together with the Steinhard Flieger watches. Archimedes does have some nice Unitas movements, but still did not hold one in my hands, thing you cannot do wrong with them. A brand which has kind of many followers in terms of Flieger watches is Tisell, as well no experience myself but maybe you like to look for alternatives. Don't worry about a not true to the original case design, my Stowa is as well a modern shaped version, that's why I wanted it, the laco case design is the real deal but in comparison didn't speak to much to me as the Stowa one. Only recommendation from my side: what ever brand you choose I would go with a Flieger with real blued hands. Not painted. The way they do reflect the light is one of a kind, I really fell in love with that detail. Silly but it spices up the watch a lil. By the way, I do share your opinion of fake vintage lume, that never worked for me. I do like it if a watch develops that naturally but I am really not sure how fake vintage lume is going to look like 20 years or so later.