Myota calibres are just as robust as comparable seiko movements, the noise the movement makes is because it is a unidirectional winding mechanism, which means that the non winding direction spins freely as you move the watch around. At that price you can’t expect a better movement from a well known company like laco.
They should have included an nh series, in my opinion, but overall, I think you're right. Possibly even a 9000 series for the price, if they wanted to stay with miyota (however, you'd still hear the noise). I think the decoration outweighs the noise for me, but idk. I think taking a small hit in the bottom line for volume would be a good strategy to push more buyers to the brand. Outside of watch folks, nobody knows of laco.
I own several Lacos including two basic fliegers and a proper Replica. Type B dial is miles better and faster to read. Miyota is loud and that is normal and not something Laco can change without using a different movement. My first Basic Laco has a handwound Miyota (which Miyota doesn't produce anymore) which doesn't have the loud rotor issue. But yes, their Pilot Original watches are light years better. More authentic, better finish, better crown, better crystal and better movements. But more than twice the price. Worth it.
I used to own Laco Aachen. And, yes, the noisy, unidirectional rotor made it feel kind of cheap. Not the worst watch ever made, but not my favourite either. It didn't stay very long.
Outside of what you mentioned, what is your take on the 42mm size? I'm not sure what your wrist size is, but I am currently debating between a 40mm and 42mm flieger (not a Laco basic), but with a 7" wrist I am sort of leaning to the 40mm as I am worried the 42mm would wear too big.
Hi, I've got a 6.5 inch wrist. I think you could pull off the 42mm on your 7 inch wrist. Hope the clips with the watch on wrist can aid you with your decision. Best of luck.
Sounds like you want a Swiss movement. Spend more money. Oris, Glycine, Fortis, Hamilton, and many others make the A and B Uhr. Swiss made and have an ETA automatic movement. ETA is Eterna, a very respected Swiss watch company. I personally have a Zeno. It's a smaller Swiss company who makes pilots watches. If you want a German watch with a quiet movement, get a Sinn or A Lange. Otherwise it's Swiss. Since you can't stand the tick of Seiko and Miyota.
No worries. Those are entry level Swiss brands. But the ones I listed are famous for pilots watches. It's traditional to start with those. Then go to midrange and high. For example: Tissot to Omega to Jaeger LeCoultre. My grandfather was a watchmaker. So I'm passing on old brand knowledge. The secret is top consumer watchmakers made the best military watches. You'll find WWII watches made by Longines, Omega, Rolex, etc. The Luftwaffe, RAF, and USAF didn't prefer their local watches like Laco, Wittnauer, and Graham. They bought Swiss in the beginning. Local brands were used when the budget ran out.
@corporatetool2563 incorrect. Germany literally gave the job to produce the Flieger watches for Luftwaffe to German companies, and in fact Laco was one of those original producers, along with Stowa, Wempe and A Lange. The only Swiss company making Fliegers was IWC, and only in smaller numbers. And A Lange and Laco were using their own German made movements. They were commissioned to produce the B-uhr with the A-type dial since the beginning of the war and the more iconic B-type since 1941, long before the money ran out. Also, Laco and Stowa both offer Flieger models with Swiss movements today. Cheaper "basic" line with Miyota is just an entry level model.
I had a similar experience when I owned the Laco Augsburg Type A in stainless steel around 2011. It was the first time I had a watch with a Miyota movement (821A at that time) with a uni-directional rotor and I really didn't like it. I much prefer Seiko movements for budget watches. Also was not impressed by the crystal. I sold it very soon after buying it new from Laco.
Ok so its not just me then. All the videos I saw had nothing but good things to say about this watch. Like you I prefer Seiko movements. Theres a lot of watches out there I have to pass up just for using the Miyota. Thank you for the feedback.
I am surprised you didn't mention the accuracy, or lack of it, of the Myota movement. Those cheap Asian movements have notoriously bad precision, crap, in other words.
@johnhebert3855 Yes I did forget to mention it, though I do remember checking the accuracy. It's wasn't perfect but wasn't way off either, I just cant remember the number right now. I agree I'm not a fan of this movement.
Myota calibres are just as robust as comparable seiko movements, the noise the movement makes is because it is a unidirectional winding mechanism, which means that the non winding direction spins freely as you move the watch around. At that price you can’t expect a better movement from a well known company like laco.
You're right in everything that you say. It was foolish of me to expect a very good watch for the price I paid.
They should have included an nh series, in my opinion, but overall, I think you're right.
Possibly even a 9000 series for the price, if they wanted to stay with miyota (however, you'd still hear the noise).
I think the decoration outweighs the noise for me, but idk.
I think taking a small hit in the bottom line for volume would be a good strategy to push more buyers to the brand.
Outside of watch folks, nobody knows of laco.
@WatchFocus8800 I don't think foolish, maybe for a big brand name, but certainly you can get a well-made Chinese brand for half the price.
@@TH-cam_is_full_of_trolls thats what I meant. For a brand like Laco. Someday, I'll get another Laco but with a Swiss movement.
I own several Lacos including two basic fliegers and a proper Replica. Type B dial is miles better and faster to read.
Miyota is loud and that is normal and not something Laco can change without using a different movement. My first Basic Laco has a handwound Miyota (which Miyota doesn't produce anymore) which doesn't have the loud rotor issue.
But yes, their Pilot Original watches are light years better. More authentic, better finish, better crown, better crystal and better movements. But more than twice the price. Worth it.
Thank you for the feedback. Enjoy wearing your Laco watches. I'd like to get my hands on a Pilot Original.
I appreciate your critique, I don't personally own this watch but it doesn't look too bad to me.
Thank you for the feedback.
I used to own Laco Aachen. And, yes, the noisy, unidirectional rotor made it feel kind of cheap. Not the worst watch ever made, but not my favourite either. It didn't stay very long.
Thank you for the feedback.
Outside of what you mentioned, what is your take on the 42mm size? I'm not sure what your wrist size is, but I am currently debating between a 40mm and 42mm flieger (not a Laco basic), but with a 7" wrist I am sort of leaning to the 40mm as I am worried the 42mm would wear too big.
Hi, I've got a 6.5 inch wrist. I think you could pull off the 42mm on your 7 inch wrist. Hope the clips with the watch on wrist can aid you with your decision. Best of luck.
What size is your wrist please? I love the fliegers from Laco, but that 42 looks big - I have a 7 inch wrist, so just curious
Hi, I've got a 6.5 inch wrist. Plus watches with thinner or no bezel tend to wear larger, case size being equal.
Thanks for the swift response and the detailed review. Appreciate it!
@vce2103 thank you very much.
The lack of AR is what gets me. Friggin thing is like a mirror.
Laco offers AR coated sapphire for a bit extra money even on the basic fliegers.
Couldn't agree more.
Sounds like you want a Swiss movement. Spend more money.
Oris, Glycine, Fortis, Hamilton, and many others make the A and B Uhr. Swiss made and have an ETA automatic movement. ETA is Eterna, a very respected Swiss watch company.
I personally have a Zeno. It's a smaller Swiss company who makes pilots watches.
If you want a German watch with a quiet movement, get a Sinn or A Lange. Otherwise it's Swiss. Since you can't stand the tick of Seiko and Miyota.
Thank you for the pilot watch recommendations, ill definitely look into those brands.
No worries. Those are entry level Swiss brands. But the ones I listed are famous for pilots watches.
It's traditional to start with those. Then go to midrange and high. For example: Tissot to Omega to Jaeger LeCoultre.
My grandfather was a watchmaker. So I'm passing on old brand knowledge. The secret is top consumer watchmakers made the best military watches. You'll find WWII watches made by Longines, Omega, Rolex, etc.
The Luftwaffe, RAF, and USAF didn't prefer their local watches like Laco, Wittnauer, and Graham. They bought Swiss in the beginning. Local brands were used when the budget ran out.
@corporatetool2563 incorrect. Germany literally gave the job to produce the Flieger watches for Luftwaffe to German companies, and in fact Laco was one of those original producers, along with Stowa, Wempe and A Lange. The only Swiss company making Fliegers was IWC, and only in smaller numbers. And A Lange and Laco were using their own German made movements. They were commissioned to produce the B-uhr with the A-type dial since the beginning of the war and the more iconic B-type since 1941, long before the money ran out.
Also, Laco and Stowa both offer Flieger models with Swiss movements today. Cheaper "basic" line with Miyota is just an entry level model.
I had a similar experience when I owned the Laco Augsburg Type A in stainless steel around 2011. It was the first time I had a watch with a Miyota movement (821A at that time) with a uni-directional rotor and I really didn't like it. I much prefer Seiko movements for budget watches. Also was not impressed by the crystal. I sold it very soon after buying it new from Laco.
Ok so its not just me then. All the videos I saw had nothing but good things to say about this watch. Like you I prefer Seiko movements. Theres a lot of watches out there I have to pass up just for using the Miyota. Thank you for the feedback.
I am surprised you didn't mention the accuracy, or lack of it, of the Myota movement. Those cheap Asian movements have notoriously bad precision, crap, in other words.
@johnhebert3855 Yes I did forget to mention it, though I do remember checking the accuracy. It's wasn't perfect but wasn't way off either, I just cant remember the number right now. I agree I'm not a fan of this movement.