The Best Flieger Watches - Buying Guide & History (IWC, Stowa, Laco & More)

[@rickyhou7684]

70% of people don’t subscribe! Smh they’re missing out 😂 glad I’m part of the Subscriber gang, anyone else?

[@Imagination918]

Did you forget about Bell & Ross? Are their watches considered Flieger watches?

[@PINKFL0YD-s2h]

I did and unsubscribed because of the bias on the watches that fit his skinny wrist and the dress watch bias

[@kevinn1158]

I’m looking at a Hanhart or a Sinn.

[@Lavi-Aemilia-Astori]

@@Imagination918 no, they are not Flieger watches, they are flight instruments inspired watches

[@simonmontoni5355]

stowa is way overpriced

[@sergelegault6027]

Tybe B Laco is a winner!

[@Shaquazam]

Yes I have the laco Aachen with the blue type B dial. Brown leather strap. It’s perfection.

[@ttdat]

Great video. My favorite is the Laco with the vintage look. Until yesterday when I First watch this video, I had never heard a Flieger watch. This morning I looked at a watch I’ve had for almost twenty years. Just recently I started wearing the watch almost daily. It’s a Croton with a Japanese automatic movement and it came with four different watch bands; blue, black, olive and khaki, making it very versatile. When I looked at the face this morning, I realized that it was a type B! I wish there was someway I could post a picture of it here. Without your video I would’ve never known just how cool this watch really is. Thank you so much keep up the good work.

[@jc944t]

Love my Stowa Flieger Klassic 40mm .... gotta use the K. Although IWC is a great brand, I think both Stowa and Laco offer just about the same quality for more affordable prices and the heritage is certainly there. Good review!

[@suigong3841]

Not the same. IWC is in different league

[@MarkFenimore]

@@suigong3841 Yeah, I bought a Laco and returned it because the Miyota 8000 series was jumping around and starting/stopping randomly. I wouldn't buy another watch with that movement in it. Build quality felt good otherwise, though.

[@erik2757]

@@MarkFenimore is it recent that Laco offers Sellita movements? Because that’s an option too over the miyota. Still for a fraction of the price of an IWC.

[@MarkFenimore]

@erik2757 I'm not sure when they started but I've seen ETAs (and maybe Selittas, too) offered in their more expensive models. I'd say it's worth the upgrade but then you're in a price comparison with Stowa, Archimedes, Damasko, et. al. and those brands tend to offer more technology, movement options and unique designs in my opinion.

[@hubertquek8550]

Hi just to clarify, the Laco at 5:54 is not the Paderborn, that's the Munster. The Paderborn is the type B dial in 42mm

[@hornebee1]

The Laco B-ur was actually my first automatic and got me in to collecting. Great video Teddy!

[@alteringmatter8782]

In September 1929 Lady Grace Drummond-Hay completed the first circumnavigation on a Zeppelin LZ127 wearing the first automatic wristwatch - the Fortis Harwood. Looking through Fortis‘ archives, it has a rich history in equipping civil and military pilots even to this day. Not mentioning them at all withholds from the viewer an amazing and very underrated watch brand

[@leisekreise]

Hi, you can upgrade your laco very much: it starts with the "Basis" Miyota 821 (Aachen Blaue Stunde 42mm is without competitors imho!), the "Original" series uses the eta 2824/2 elaboré that can be upgraded to "top" for little money. Each model comes as "Typ A" or "Typ B" in 39 or 42mm. All watches can be ordered as handwinded or automatic. The "Erbstück" gives you the opportunity to buy a brand new watch fliegertype looking like the heritage from your grandpa. Perfect variety and the "Basis" is the perfect entry to perfectly crafted watches, worth every very little Cent! And 42mm is perfect for larger wrists whereas 39mm is better for smaller wrists than a 40mm imho. But just my 2cents. Love my 42mm Aachen Blaue Stunde!

[@TheGunDude]

I’ve had a few Laco watches and they’re seriously amazing quality. It’s amazing they’re not more well known

[@mortenthorpe]

Just got the Laco Paderborn with two upgrades: Sellita SW200 movement, and anti-reflective on both sides of the crystal… the watch is a delight to wear, being super light, and insanely easy to read by luminescence even in the dark. Super nice watch, incredible to find a mechanical automatic movement at this price and quality!

[@milesmiles68]

I got a Stowa Flieger Classic 6498 Bronze Vintage last year, which I just love. The heat treated blued hands and finishing work they did on the Unitas movement is great.

[@scoh840]

I ordered my 6498 bronze last week. They say 6 weeks, I hope sooner

[@VersedNJ]

Have two Stowa’s, the first one is about 8 years old, 36mm COSC certified, no Stowa logo no date. I probably should have saved the money and just bought the regular non COSC. When I bought it, the dollar was weaker so adding the COSC certification and an extra band cost me like $1200.00 with shipping. The second Stowa I bought, cost me less, it is a white flieger with Stowa branding and date in automatic 40mm. If I buy another, I’d get a type B Classic Sport in 43mm with hand wound, or the Classic 40 type B with hand wound. But doubtful I’d get a third. I like both my Stowe’s both the black and white. I do prefer them without branding but it’s not a deal breaker. Just some advice, if you order a Stowa, buy a few extra brands at the same time (sorry Teddy don’t mean offense about your strap business) so you can keep it as original as possible.

[@philliphull50]

Great collection of watches the laco watches are more in my price range. I really appreciate how you hit all price points.

[@SL-xy5pn]

I've been on the search for the perfect flieger for a few years now. My search has led me to many of the watches you mentioned- from Orient to IWC and many watches in between. I ended up settling with the Archimede bronze pilot 39. The dial and case are superb, beating Stowa and punching above its weight with IWC. The 39mm case is in the goldilocks zone allowing for perfect dial symmetry, case proportions, and wearability. it's the clear winner in my opinion. For those worried about patina, a little rub with lemon juice every few weeks keeps the bronze case looking brand new. Great work Teddy, I'm really enjoying your videos.

[@GhillieFox375]

Love Fliegers, I would throw the Seiko 5 SNK809 onto the list as an affordable option too, as well as being more suited for smaller wrists at 37mm.

[@ivanssamoilenko1517]

Isn't it considered a field watch? I know there's a thin line, but case size and design, crown shape, and provided nylon strap are typical for field watches.

[@xOppur]

@@ivanssamoilenko1517 yeah, I definitely agree with you

[@anbudrew]

Ivans Samoilenko confused about that as well. Maybe its safe to say that the dial has flieger aesthetics with a field watch case. Fliegers make great field watches because of the large numerals.

[@Mister_Phafanapolis]

@@ivanssamoilenko1517 Dial is definitely type-B but the size is more field watch. A bit of a hybrid of the two. Lack of hacking fits neither a field or flieger watch.

[@WoWMinGM]

Very educational! Your passion really shines through and makes viewing a pleasure. Not sure this style is for me, I tend to like the more colourful and sporty watches like divers and racing chronographs. But it's definitely something I can appreciate.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Appreciate you watching space boy :)

[@paceyombex]

Flieger from Stowa is definitely one of my grail watch

[@paceyombex]

@Chinchzilla agree

[@dialanddram]

Laco and Stowa both on my list. That blue-sunburst Aachen is just gorgeous!

[@leisekreise]

Aachen Blaue Stunde in 42mm is worth every Cent. Hacking is included, laco listened to the market, because a fliegertype as being an instrument of an aircraft, that was synchronised manually by a radio signal must be hackable. So they changed it to be authentical even with the "cheap" series... Its lume is gorgeus and lasts fully charged the whole night. I LOVE it and wear it every day.

[@undefeatedgaul3201]

@@leisekreise is that the upgraded miyota 8315?

[@leisekreise]

@@undefeatedgaul3201 i have one of the Last ETA 2824-2 with Upgrade. +4seconds/24 hours.

[@ELMS]

Loved the way you relieved the original five manufacturers, then the other makers today. Great structure if you’re looking for an authentic fleiger. Great channel!

[@ericmaurice7615]

My Orient Flight has been daily piece since 2017, love it to death. It was my first and favorite mechanical. Thanks for the video!

[@mihneavoda9060]

Hi! The automatic movement of this Orient Flight is indeed a great one. Love it!

[@wesleypage]

This was incredibly insightful, Teddy. Thank you.

[@emm_arr]

Archimede. Lovely watches. Their onion crown is one of the most attractive out there.

[@yhong9733]

I love all this history information. Wish there is more

[@dariusrosu2587]

A lug to lug measurement would be nice when you do reviews. I think that lug to lug is more important than diameter. A small wrist can wear a 40 to 45 mm in diameter as long as the lug to lug is under 52 mm.

[@Matt-if6gs]

Great brief history of fliegers. Very informative, thanks. Always appreciate the lists as well. Keep up the great work!

[@johneli495]

Love this no nonsense style

[@marioramirez7579]

Nice selection! Stowa fleiger watches all the way!

[@arikjohnson412]

Damasko and Sinn examples feel like more modern interpretations of the flieger than the 50m WR range from the old school makers.

[@mystic48209]

A flieger watch to talk about is Steinhart A and B uhr. Swiss made with swiss eta and sellita movements. A throwback will use a Unitas movement.

[@onegirlstravels]

Just bought a Laco off your website for my bf for Christmas! Thank you for all your videos because it really helped me! I will be a return customer thank you again!

[@anbudrew]

My first and only mechanical watch (for now) has a flieger aesthetic. Snk809. Love the flieger look. This design wont go away anytime soon. I drool for the 38mm Stowa.

[@donutheist]

At 6:01 you have the Paderborn info but a Type A watch. Paderborn is a Type B.

[@kongmw]

Nice comprehensive guide to the flieger watch. Thanks for all the hard work you put into this video!

[@Teromi]

the Stowa does pack a top grade movement, I own one. for under 1k it’s great value

[@KRaikkonenSF]

Laco does also as an option

[@m3chris1]

True dat, have a marine

[@Jikaninja]

No, mine is the best value and bested your except if you’re jus5 wanted a name brand printed on the dial……The 2021 new Steeldive type B SD1940…..200m water resistance, screw down crown, sapphire crystal, solid endlink, as bright lume as the San Martin, solid oyster style bracelet……for $95. Seiko NH35a, 39mm case and 20mm lugs width…..winner to me, just bought 2.

[@diavalus]

@@Jikaninja That piece of crap does not compare to Laco, Stowa or IWC, no offence.

[@stephenscott5304]

I own a Hager Flieger. I bought it 3 years ago, works flawlessly and looks great. I love this classic.

[@dns711]

You can buy a San Martin type B flieger with sapphire glass, NH35 movement, screw in crown, 200 meter water resistance, and great lume for $150 on Ali Express. It is 39 mm in diameter, 49 mm lug to lug, and takes 20 mm straps. Model SN030-G. I love mine.

[@JohnJohnson-nc8tq]

My Laco B Uhr is #22 of 50 replicas made back in 2005/2006. Came with black and brown riveted leather straps and manual wind, sapphire crystal.

[@1018Frankie]

Very interesting video, I love flieger watches. One addition to the list is the Alpina Startimer Pilot. Keep the good work my friend!

[@davidbreckler5327]

I'm watching this while playing with my Sinn 856.... and then you end the video on it! I love that watch! Great work!

[@DKL3825]

I've been looking into a Laco Type B I enjoy the way these look. It will be my first watch. I am very interested in getting into watches now. I've worked on cars for almost my whole life and started watching Wristwatch Revival, now Teddy was in my recommended so I started watching. I will either goo with the Laco or a Hamilton Khaki for my first watch. I am saving up, these watches are pretty expensive, but figure might as well go all in at first. Kevin said in one of your vids to be agnostic to cost. Lol. Thank you

[@chucklenuts6976]

Flieger watches are so cool, especially laco with that historical case dimension. I wish they'd up their water resistance a little more (I know it is a flieger watch, not a dive watch, but man it could make it a one watch collection for me )

[@vaughandurful]

A search for Stowa on Amazon directs you to Laco which is also a very nice piece. I want my ideal Flieger type B to be at least 46mm, sapphire crystal and not have a Miyota movement.

[@ralphtaylor9968]

Great video as usual, thank you. I have a (made in the UK) Geckota K01 Pilot with the B type dial. 40mm with a 2824-2 movement. Very reasonably priced considering the movement and the blue dial with a blue Barton strap looks stunning. My one recommendation would be that if you're going for a Type B dial fleiger then go for at least a 42mm. The 40mm with the inner hour dial some people might find a little smaller than is comfortable.

[@rhysduggan2167]

Good advice, thanks!

[@gubourn]

I have just ordered a Stowa Flieger Baumuster B Sport, hand winding, no date, with a screw down crown!

[@willchung2072]

Out of all of those, I like the IWC big pilot the most.

[@LordArioh]

As a flieger I got Junkers MWP. Not exactly a classic design, but with my favorite GMT function.

[@dandydoc8386]

Damasko makes great flieger with specs much higher than its price would suggest.

[@alexrammo6537]

On the cusp of ordering the Stowa Fliega 40 manual wind. Just need to wait for the right moment soy wife doesn't kill me before buying another watch. A good homage watch I have as one of my daily beaters is the Swatch sistem 51 Arrow which is designed like a B-uhr

[@biharijivandana6894]

THAT VINTAGE STRAP WITH LACO IS VERY BEAUTIFUL

[@charliefritz2396]

Great Video Teddy, thx, now is Laco on my List :)

[@okquentin]

Does anyone know what the watch at 1:46 is? The rustic/vintage style one? I REALLY want to find it. Thanks

[@KRaikkonenSF]

A bronze erbstück model really kicks ass.

[@martinfox2244]

I like the fleiger style. Type B especially. I have the Citizen Avion. Very nice. The Sinn is appealing. Thanks for history. That is what I like about your site.

[@lashlarue7924]

Good overview of options, well made video, thank you for posting.

[@mihneavoda9060]

Hi! Your Orient Flight watch for sure is the one with 48743 automatic movement which is a great Orient movement. Regards.

[@nickporter9264]

Great list Teddy! Of course, you can’t forget the Seiko SNK80x line. A bit on the smaller side, but a great automatic flieger for under $100.

[@A_Dude_And_His_Watch78]

I have the Laco A dial in 42mm. It has great lume. Very stylish. I love it.

[@toddalbert8342]

I really like the Type B . It is pleasing to my aviator eye.

[@dultanur]

Great video Teddy thank you. I am looking for a Flieger so very useful for me. The price of the Laco is very enticing but the Stowa is great too... I still can't choose.

[@김진우-u4b6p]

Laco and Damasko looks awesome!!

[@carrow2250]

Thanks for all your videos! Very informative and useful!

[@thomasmackwilliams2038]

I knew Helmut Sinn and doubt he would have approved of the look of the 856 B-UH. As a WWII Luftwaffe pilot, he was a purist for the utility and simplicity of the "Flieger Uhren" of his day. I have several of his early designs reflecting his respect for readability for precise airborne maneuver timing for navigation, especially at night. Few know that he flew JU-88's, crashing and injured in Russia, and afterwards "Tante JU's. I was his house guest in Frankfurt once upon a time. In his home on display he had a propeller from a JU-88. If anyone knew "pilot" watches, it was Helmut Sinn.

[@mystic48209]

Stowa is migrating toward Sellita movements. I think the are phasing out ETA 2824.

[@JamesBardolphCS]

Great timing! I’m spending two weeks in Berlin from next week, and will be hunting for a flieger!

[@eusupporter8438]

Welcome to Berlin sir 👍

[@leisekreise]

Which one have you purchased?

[@JamesBardolphCS]

@@leisekreise Surprisingly, the stores I went to in Berlin had mostly fashion watches, and some Hamiltons - I did however find a store that had some Lacos - TBH they had very nice ... how to put it... fake vintage watches, if you will - basically they had wear and tear but actually looked amazing. Was not what I was looking for, however. I did not see the range I wanted to - was considering going to the Damasko factory which was a day's train ride awaybut did not in the end. Have not bought one yet!

[@limajuliett3406]

Check out the steinhart nav-b uhr. 44mm, vintage look, domed sapphire crystal and the ETA 2824-2 elaboré movement for the price of 510 euros(!)

[@Teachering]

Yes, I found this video to be very helpful to me. I have a fascination for flieger watches.

[@fatboys1961]

Dam you Teddy B., I told myself no more watches for 2020! I took your advice and bought a Flieger. lol. From one Brownie to another, thanks for all the reviews. Bobby G. Seattle

[@Tal-wb9jn]

I started watching you early with your watch Collection Video when you harped on your girly wrist size...your vids have certainly become more professional and polished over the last year or so...the early work was very good and very relatable...don’t lose that don’t turn into Alpha M...getting back to your roots might be good on occasion don’t always have to be so slick!!!

[@gianlucabassi8853]

In these fantastic videos all watches appear nicer than they are in the real world.

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

Been wanting to add a flieger type B to my collection yet it would likely be something like the Citizen first. Possibly not historic, but there's a Russian/German company that makes a mechanical alarm flieger type B that makes use of the existing inner hour circle for setting the alarm. I have the Strela Cosmos variant that I really like and it's a complication that's not too common nowadays, so I wouldn't mind having another look with it along with merging functionality.

[@seanmurphy5427]

Did Hanhart also make watches in the black forrest for the luftwaffe?

[@stephenwolf8806]

At the 5:53 mark you have the Laco Memmingen pictured, but identified as the Paderborn.

[@BlueRam788]

Nice video. I also like the Fortis Flieger Interpretations as well

[@ricardochaveste7367]

Nice pieces my friend specially those first flieger stunning, love their history behind and the price just unbelievable 👍🌎

[@jochene.8770]

Typo at minute 14:52 Sinn 856 should be called "B-Uhr"

[@cl4ssic]

Thanks for pronouncing Stowa right at 7:49...

[@NexDim.]

Well done video! Love the look of these watches

[@FirestormAA]

Great information about type A & B pilot watches. Been on my head about type B for the longest time.

[@Biggun8262]

Several years ago I wanted a Flieger, type A and a type B. I found a guy on eBay that actually built them in Florida. I bought both from him and still own them today. I think I payed around $125 for each one. The type A is a manual wind and the type B is automatic. They are bigger cases however, more true to the actual ones built back in the 30s and 40s. They’re both 47mm and have the big onion crowns.

[@Prussia_is_not_yet_lost.]

Not to forget the venerable Seiko 5 SNK 809. That one is as well of the Flieger Typ B models. In a city a watch is still usefull even in our smartphone time. But I live on the countryside were the sun is most often the watch so a propper watch is not needed for daily work. Today few people wear watches since a smartphone has replaced them mayorly. I wonder why these Seiko 5 are priced for around 90 Dollars. Pretty steep price if you ask me.

[@jonathandougherty3677]

So I’m not a huge fan of homage brand but, between a Laco Augsburg 42 that has a Miyota mov. VS. a Steinhart nav-b-uhr 44mm with an ETA2824, which is a better watch?

[@ftlbaby]

Great rundown and history! There may be a Sin in my future...

[@craig2100]

Great content and selections.

[@PeteDEN72]

Considering buying a Flieger B Model. Think they are very nice. Should I go Laco or Stowa ? (right now I am leaning towards Stowa) and should I go automatic or manual winding ? I know Teddy suggests manual in this video, but I am not sure that I wont get tired of it in the long run ?!

[@pierresangeorg2286]

Interesting comment about Archimede and Laco being under same owner. Can you expand little about that? I was under impression Archimede is in Ickler family ownership, same as Limes.

[@fermentasinusantara]

Question: is the original pilot watch handwound or automatic?

[@superpjsss]

I know this is a 3 years old video, but Teddy it would be great to have an update with other German (i.e. Dekla) and foreign brands (i.e. San Martin) in a different budget bracket

[@michaelmasin1996]

what about a seiko snk809 as a budget small flieger? when coupled with a leather strap it looks the part, while not being a straight up copy

[@omax1023]

Clean and Crisp design! Great review TB!

[@kennethdjones8181]

Awesome review. Thank you.

[@TeddyBaldassarre]

Thanks for watching ken!

[@kennethdjones8181]

@@TeddyBaldassarre you betcha. I love your videos. Very in-depth & informative.

[@kennethdjones8181]

@@TeddyBaldassarre always a pleasure.

[@garygrenier]

Great video Teddy! I love these watches! Appreciate that they are not you favorite personally. Thanks for the info!!

[@MohitBagur]

Your photography classes definitely seem to be helping. Bravo!

[@PlayBikeFrisbee]

What about the Hamilton Day Date Auto?

[@grahamekellermeier8280]

Just bought a Seiko sports watch has the similar face as the Luftwaffe type B model.

[@MainerInJapan]

Great video, Teddy! I love the Flieger style, as you might remember from the first watch collection battle video, which included my Stowa Flieger Blue. Thanks for providing such a thorough background and list of options for people looking into this type of watch. A friend asked me fir advice on purchasing a Flieger recently, and though I gave him my opinions, I’ll also direct him to this video. Keep up the great work! -Brandon

[@marcoantoniomoncada1167]

Laco is insane value for money. History rich brand, excellent customer service, and no need to pay a fortune for a REAL flieger.

[@Watchmade]

Thank you for your information on the navigators as many people think these watches were being build for pilots. But if you fly your jet with that rush so fast you will never have a chance as a jet pilot to look at a watch.

[@chrishunter9784]

A dial for the pilot. B dial for observer/gunner. It was 1940. Planes weren't all that fast.

[@johnnyguitar6697]

One could pick an IWC Mark XV, or UTC, or chronograph 3706 at a fraction of the price of the current models. Bonus: they were better executed.

[@seena1993]

Love my IWC BP, it feels at home in a airplane

[@sahhull]

Dekla also make very good type B flieger watches to order.