Laco is best known as one of the original manufacturers of the classic Flieger pilot’s watches during World War II. It has maintained a respectable reputation as an affordable tool watchmaker ever since, but apparently, the German brand cleans up real nice.
So nice, in fact, that it just sneakily dropped one of the most elegant dress watches of the year, flaunting an absolutely stunning tuxedo dial just in time for New Year’s Eve.
Laco is going full black tie in celebration of its 100th anniversary, and this time-only dress watch is aptly named the Edition 100. The design is inspired by the Art Deco movement, which peaked a century ago, but still makes for some of the best-looking dress watches.
The tuxedo dial comprises a matte black center, framed by golden-toned hour and minute tracks. The theme is carried through to a gold-plated case, paired with a black shell cordovan leather strap and a gold pin buckle.
The hours track is raised with beveled grooves and applied numerals, while the minutes track drops off at the edge of the dial. It follows a similar arrangement to the Universal Genève Polerouter, arguably the most iconic tuexdo dial ever created.
But the Edition 100 is hardly an imitation. Pragmatic details, such as lume-filled minute and hour hands and prominent raised numerals, demonstrate that, even when dressed to the nines, Laco prioritizes functionality.
