You Won't Believe This Is a Modern Watch | The Laco Kempten Erbstück WatchGecko Review

WatchGecko Review - THE LACO KEMPTEN ERBSTÜCK
We often talk about mechanical watches having a connection to something greater than the physical function it offers. Sometimes it's a connection to a moment in time, or to someone that is no longer here. Nowadays though it seems more often than not brands are pulling on the heartstrings of collectors with new pieces that look to replicate the magic of departed eras.
Personally, I thought I’d pretty much seen the full extent of what is possible with this whole phase and trend in watch collecting. That was until Baselworld 2018 and more recently last week when I met the Laco Kempten Erbstück. There is nothing quite like this watch, and I want to talk about it…
WRITTEN ARTICLE: www.watchgecko.com/the-laco-k...
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Model Wrist Sizes
7 inches - 7.25 inches
Products featured;
THE LACO KEMPTEN ERBSTÜCK
www.laco.de/en/watches/pilot-...
Dedworth Distresso Cowhide Quick Release Watch Strap
www.watchgecko.com/dedworth-d...
ZULUDIVER Croyde 2 Piece Canvas Quick-Release Watch Strap
www.watchgecko.com/zuludiver-...
Lanciano Premium Vegan Eco-Leather Watch Strap
www.watchgecko.com/lanciano-p...

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#LacoWatches #LacoKemptenErbstuck #WatchGeckoReview
The Erbstuck range is available with both automatic and manual wind movements. There is a case to be made that the convenience and ‘set it and forget it’ mindset that comes with having an automatic movement powering your watch is appealing, however in my mind there is only one movement choice to go for here. Everything about this watch is focused around connections both to the watch and to a time period reserved in history. That is why we have the manual wind movement watch, the Laco 01 movement (based on the ETA 2801.2 Elaboré to you and me).
This movement is thinner than the automatic equivalent of the movement hence why it makes an understandable appearance here. With 46 hours of power reserve and a strong winding action through the onion crown, it is really quite hard to not be transported straight into a dogfight over France when strapping this to the wrist.
What is the Laco Erbstuck like on the wrist?
There is no other way to summerise how this watch feels on the wrist than talking about how it is the closest thing to a wearable time machine. Everyone knows by now that vintage has and is having a moment for a number of years now. Watch companies with genuine history (and ones without) have been looking backwards to create new models from all corners of the industry. From microbrands to Zenith and Tudor, it is the thing to do right now. But most of these companies do one of two things.
They either create models that are exactly the same as they were back in the day, like they had just left the factory doors (think Zenith A384 Revival) or they re-release watches with subtle, conscious design choices like yellowed lume to replicate what genuine vintage pieces look like nowadays (the Black Bay 58 would be one of these).
This model is actually just 39mm wide, with a lug to lug of 46mm and a thickness of 12mm. But if you don't find those dimensions as spot on as I do, Laco offers Erbstück models in a more historically accurate size of 55mm as well as 45mm and 42mm. Essentially, if you like the look of this watch Laco will more than likely have your preferred case size available.
There is lume present in this watch, but don't expect the green glow to be keeping you up at night as it is very subtle and will fade quickly. Normally this sort of comment would be reserved for the ‘things we would change’ section of the review, but actually I see this as another extra step Laco took to give the Kempten Erbstück that added touch of accuracy to original models.
In my eyes the B type flieger dial is the epitome of the pilots watch. From the emphasis on minute counters on the dial rather than hours. The huge commanding minute hand offset by the reduced hour hand that sits in the sectioned dial and the large gliding seconds hand. Everything about a B type dial (and this watch in particular) is all about ensuring the history and stories from the 1940s are never forgotten. It is this level of connection and emotion that jumps out when wearing the Laco Kempten Erbstück.

[@LacoUhrenmanufaktur]

Thank you very much for featuring our watch and this amazing video!! :-)

[@watchgecko]

It was our pleasure! Thank you very much for letting us review it! :)

[@Watchgang123]

Can you make a video to show how the watch is aged and distressed?

[@SinnerAndSaint]

Incredible footage! You're seriously one of the best watch channels out there with high class content but still a secret gem within others! I hope this will change soon - keep up the AWESOME work! The Laco "Erbstücke" (heirloom pieces) are stunning pieces. Of course not everyone's cup of tea but considering the work that goes into every piece the retail price is just stunning! Laco is one of the most underrated German brands as their whole "Flieger" range is closest to the original pieces. Many brands produce them until now but none of them has such a historical accuracy. All the best from Germany!

[@japd7897]

Yeah, believe me, my grandpa was a pilot in the ww2, and I found his watch in a dust-covered box in the penthouse 😉😎.

[@jiahuilai608]

Wow, this is one stunning looking watch with an equally stunning price to match !

[@watchgecko]

Laco add all the wear and patina by hand, so the labour it takes to do that must add a fair amount to the price.

[@jiahuilai608]

I agree, its one of the most beautiful pilot style watch I've ever seen, very well done. Unfortunately, it's just out of my budget.

[@Sebastian-ui8rt]

Ooh man, what a beautiful piece! those hard-wearing details, and the patina makes it look amazing! Thanks for share

[@jasue2000]

Really beautiful video. Great camera work. Very cool watch. Thanks!!

[@ericl755]

I have laco B 42 mm. It is the one respecting the more the original watch design with a correct price and solid ETA. Forget all the rest of fleigher from other brands

[@JamesandRibble]

Stowa is at least as good in my opinion

[@bjlochow7136]

I have the Laco Venedig Erbstuck and I love its charm! Great weekend watch that I don’t mind beating up. I don’t mind the larger case as it leans into the flieger’s original purpose. Great video, I really enjoyed the watch!

[@robertuskoppies444]

Very nice review....although I must admit that I don't particularly like the way the ageing on the watch has been carried out. I have done a lot of ageing on scale model planes, rockets and space-ships for film productions and exhibitions. If you look closely at the way the "dirt" is very evenly "smudged" on the indices and numbers, it's not quite the way this ageing would happen with time. The blue on the blued handset hasn't aged at all (especially at the center). So to be honest, I am not quite struck with the result. I have seen "Erbstück" watches with a different level of "historic ageing". Anyway: LACO offers extremely high quality with their watches. I own the predecessor of the "Paderborn" from about 15 years ago and it's still spot on in timing. On/off the wrist it leaves me with a +/- 1sec a day! It doesn't necessarily needs to be an "Erbstück", but (in my opinion) LACO offers the best overall quality/authenticity of all current Flieger watches.

[@dustytriumph]

Another great review with stellar photography. I've been looking at these distressed Lacos in pictures for a while with a bit of lust. I love the distressed aged finish. I think the rubber edge coat on the strap is a huge fail tho. Should be raw or hand rubbed beeswax. This is a perfect watch for a handmade strap made from vintage Swiss ammo pouch leather.

[@HarryBunnGRVOTV]

I had a laco Aachen, only a couple of hundred quid, wish I had de-cased it, left it out in the rain and then towed it behind my car, reckon it would have been worth at least a grand!

[@Z-S-H]

Amazing watch review! ♥️

[@HarryBunnGRVOTV]

The best thing about that 2 piece canvas strap (I have 2 now) is that the keepers DO NOT BUDGE. A small thing but keepers that move get right on my nerves.

[@chucklenuts6976]

Wow, beautiful and rugged at the same time. I’ll save up for this one.

[@LymanPhillips]

Gee, I can wear this with my pre-ripped and faded jeans, my stone washed jacket and a pre-stressed leather strap and I'd be all set at the hipster bar (properly masked). Or I could strap on my Laco Achen and go do something and not worry about the watch in my wrist. Then at least the scratches and scuffs would really mean something to me.

[@michaelhargis7036]

Yes, you can do all of that when you wear your over priced Laco. If you're questioned about your watch you CAN say that you're a pilot. Them stupid "hipsters" won't know any different. LOLOLOLOL

[@jasoncummings2517]

You'd have to be supremely insecure to care what hipsters at the bar thought about your watch

[@thethirdman225]

I just ordered a Laco. I wanted the hand wound version but it wasn’t available in the model I wanted so I went with an automatic. I could have had the manual wind but I couldn’t get it with the top grade movement. The idea doesn’t bother me that much because if I was really serious about manual wind, I’d be going with a Unitas 6497 because the original had a pocket watch movement in it. The Laco impressed me more than the others, simply because it looked more authentic than other B Uhr replicas and the quality is very obvious. I went with the type A dial because I find the type B more difficult to read. Not impossible but more cluttered. I also went with a much bigger size.

[@jochemjurgens7997]

I bought a regular automatic Laco Paderborn and replaced the leather strap, that I found not very special, with the one that comes with an Erbstück version. Great looking combination, I think.

[@rickewilde]

I expect my Laco Aachen will look like that in a hundred years time.

[@mystic48209]

Laco comes in 3 different flavors. The basic Laco watches are very affordable about $400- $500 but are powered by Miyota 8215. The other upscale watches within the firm are much more expensive as the are powered bt ETA 2824 or Sellita (north of $1000). So there is a watch for every budget. And if you want a Chronograph version, you can opt for the Miyota which is affordable (Miyota Os10 quartz) or there is the Ronda 350D Quartz) both are affordable . If you want a Swiss automatic or mechanical engine, ETA or Sellita, depending on the model, b be prepared to pay premium. By the way if I seen the Laco site correctly and its photos, only the even numbered markings are lumed on the Uhr B.

[@166293]

An uber real re-edition of a historic watch. I guess you have to be part of the steampunk movement or a Real lover of vintage watches to buy this watch. The execution and price point are spot on however - a great shoutout to Lako!

[@flytheskymyway]

This is the only watch I have seen that makes me burn inside. Love it. It’s too bad the price is not more affordable. It’s just a dream for me.

[@cheesegraham2387]

Love these erbstuck watches but out of my price range sadly

[@AnitaSpankyBB]

I've been looking at Laco and Stowa watches lately as I want to add one of these to my collection, albeit it's their Classic line I'm after with the B dial - this watch is absolutely stunning in its execution, a little out of my price range, but stunning nevertheless, who knows , I may hold off buying the Classic, save up a little longer and get one of these instead

[@watchgecko]

If you really like the vintage look of this then save up. It looks incredible in person! Of course, if you prefer something that looks new it's another matter. 😉

[@1SaG]

You can always go for their "Basic"-line. Those start at €340 (IIRC) - well below the "Classic"-models.

[@RagnarHoff]

I wish they did that crown on the bigger models as well. Want an aged Laco so bad but the 42+ models' crown just sticks out too much that makes it uncomfortable to wear.

[@jlg395]

This watch is simply wonderful, and yet it really bugs me that every other minute numeral is "un-aged" (in other words, a cleaner shade of white). I assume this has something to do with the lume, since every other minutes numeral isn't lumed. Still, it's just one of those things that you can't un-notice once you see it.

[@marcod.r.3299]

this is done on purpose, to stay as close as possible to the original.....back in the days the 5, 15, 25, etc... were only painted on, so got like no patina....only the 10, 20, 30 etc... numerals had radium and developped patina through the years

[@Lavi-Aemilia-Astori]

It is crazy the old looking one is double the price

[@meclazine]

I can see why Laco thanked you for the review. Production quality was A grade.

[@martindy3]

It’s very nice, but I wonder if it’s one of those watches that would only look good if it was on someone else’s wrist...

[@NOSKIPPIN]

Recreating vintage style is one thing, but fake ageing as far as scratches etc is just awful.

[@jasoncummings2517]

Fortunately there's a cheaper Original with bead-blasted case for those that don't like a handmade custom touch

[@underscoredkinC]

This is the watch you dont need to pamper

[@HardyBunster]

That’s a real steampunks watch. 🙂

[@1SaG]

Just FYI: Erbstück simply means "heirloom". Which is just another one of those delightful composite-words that we Germans are so fond of ... "erben" = "to inherit", "Stück" = "piece". So I guess the thinking is: "If your granddad/great-granddad had been in the Luftwaffe in WW2, this is the kind of watch he might have passed on to you." Which, kinda, rubs me the wrong way. While I love homage watches with a little bit of fauxtina-lume on the dial/hands, this scratched- and dirtied-up stuff is like buying a brand new, but pre-torn and -ripped pair of jeans. It's kinda tacky and it almost feels like a case of "stolen valour", making a brand new Flieger-watch look like it's been there in the skies above London during the Blitz or something. I'd rather take my Laco Flieger looking factory fresh - that beautiful distressed leather strap would be all the vintage-touch I'd need.

[@spankyharland9845]

cool, just like buying brand new jeans with wear holes in the legs.

[@Alias_Anybody]

Wait a second: The Luftwaffe was the one branch of the military you basically couldn't and wouldn't be able to join without strong connections to "the party", so I'd argue that Erbstück (heirloom) is a slightly unfortunate name for this thing. Like are you sure you want to inherit this thing and don't just take a re-issue cause you like the design?

[@dangerpowers5939]

Who cares.

[@andrei-cosmin.popa85]

but... why ? Trying to kill the vintage watches market?

[@watchgecko]

More likely they're just trying to cash in on it. Clearly vintage watches are quite a big market right now.

[@nilsmartschin593]

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