The Laco Augsburg | family history
The Augsburg is Laco's Type B B-Uhr variant: the same 42mm case and ETA 2824-2 movement as the Aachen but with a larger crown and the Type B dial without the central dot. Buyers who spend time outdoors or prefer the larger crown ergonomics choose the Augsburg; buyers drawn to the Type A aesthetic choose the Aachen.
Laco's Type B flieger: open Arabic numerals and an aged-lume personality that give it a distinctive vintage character.
2010-present · The Augsburg and Type B differentiation
The Augsburg was produced alongside the Aachen as Laco's Type B B-Uhr interpretation. The larger crown was designed for operation with gloves in cold-weather conditions, following the functional brief of the original WWII-era B-Uhr format. The dial removes the central dot from the 12 o'clock triangle indicator, which is the historically accurate Type B configuration. Otherwise the watches share case dimensions, movement, and price point.
How to read this family
Two questions for Augsburg buyers:
- Should I buy the Aachen or the Augsburg? If you primarily care about the dial aesthetic, the Type A triangle-with-dot (Aachen) is marginally cleaner. If you use the crown frequently or wear gloves, the larger crown on the Augsburg has a practical advantage. Both use the same movement and case dimensions. The choice is small and personal; there is no wrong answer at this price.
- How does the Augsburg compare to German pilot watches at higher price points? The Augsburg competes on specification with Sinn and Tutima references at two to three times the price. The tradeoff is Laco's brand weight is lower, so the secondary market value is lower as well. As a daily-wear tool watch, the Augsburg punches above its price; as a collector reference, the higher-priced German brands hold their value better.
Related families: Laco Aachen · Fortis Flieger