1944 Laco WW2 Pilot or Observation Watch FL23883

The Overview

We are working with a UK based collector who has asked us to market a selection of his watches. As part of the offer each watch has had a full service and refurbishment by the UK’s leading watchmaker, Steven Hale Watch Restoration. Each watch will come with a 2 year guarantee from Steve Hale and a lifetime guarantee on the authenticity by Sonning Vintage Watches.

There’s a huge interest in military watches within the war years and this Laco is wonderfully original. Laco were formed in the 1920’s and originally used Swiss movements. In the 1930’s they split from their partners and started manufacturing their own movements and became a favourite of the German pilots due to their accuracy and simple design – they were one of 5 brands used by the Luftwaffe. Made in 1944 (they had to be 55mm and have chronometer standard movements), the nickel plated brass case is in excellent condition with only surface scratching. The reference on the caseback, H15097, also matches the movement reference. The original and untouched dial is again in excellent condition and any marks are just reflections – I’d be happy to do a wrist video if required. The very high grade manual wind movement is again in excellent condition and has just been serviced by SHWR. The watch sits on a black NATO style strap with steel buckles.

The Case

Made in 1944 (they had to be 55mm and have chronometer standard movements), the nickel plated brass case is in excellent condition with only surface scratching. The reference on the caseback, H15097, also matches the movement reference. The case measures 55mm across, excluding the original winding crown and 65mm long including the lugs. The outside caseback has the reference H15907 and the side is engraved with FL23882. The inside case is signed ‘Lacher & Co’.

The Movement

The very high grade manual wind movement is again in excellent condition and has just been serviced by SHWR. The movement is signed ‘Laco 22 Steine’ and ‘15097’.

The Box, Papers and Sonning Warranty

As with the majority of pre-owned watches that are 10 years or older, this particular watch does not come with its original box (we are including a genuine Jaeger box from the 1960’s) or paperwork. The watch is 100% genuine and rest assured we provide a lifetime guarantee on the authenticity and provenance of all the watches we sell.

Although there is no original paperwork, we do provide a written invoice and 3 page insurance valuation with the pictures of the watch and all available reference numbers. We also give a 12 month warranty on all our watches. We also stock a good selection of vintage watch boxes to help complete your purchase.

About Sonning Vintage Watches

Sonning Vintage Watches are one of the largest prestige brand vintage watch retailers on the Internet carrying stock of around £500,000; we’ve sold over 3,000 vintage watches across the world since our formation in 2009. We’re based in Berkshire and Nottingham and spend 1- 2 days a week in London. Whilst we’re an Internet business we do ‘show’ 90% of our watches prior to sale and travel across England to meet prospective buyers.

Why Purchase a Watch from SVW

We provide a lifetime guarantee on the authenticity and provenance of all our watches and come with a full printed Receipt of Sale and Insurance Valuation. Purchasing from SVW gives you the protection and reassurance of buying from an incorporated company with outstanding customer testimonials.

We provide a high quality box and use the Royal Mail Special Delivery for the UK and DHL for overseas sales. They are insured for the full purchase value.

See what our customers say – 100% positive feedback on all our sales sites and over 40% of our customers buy again or refer us!

Couriering and Pre-Delivery Inspection

We use the Royal Mail’s Guaranteed next day service for UK sales and DHL for all overseas shipping. All our watches are fully serviced, but prior to couriering each one will undergo a 3 day pre-delivery check to ensure the watch is in perfect condition.

The Conclusion

This is a beautiful example of a watch from one of horology’s most famous names and will, if history is any judge, provide an excellent financial investment as well as a possession to treasure and enjoy. I will provide an insurance valuation in excess of my asking price. Please appreciate the difficulty of photographing this piece, it looks even better in real life. Subject to your location I’ll happily show the watch.

Please take a moment to look at my other watches in the Sonning Vintage Watches E Bay Shop.

Please also see my 100% feedback as reassurance of the quality of my watches and highest levels of service

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