The Paderborn 42 mm Automatic Pilot Watch ORIGINAL by Laco is an authentic reconstruction of the 1940s observation pilot watches (B-Uhr) originally made under strict specifications by the Reichsluftfahrtministerium (RLM) in Germany. This model pays homage to the historical pilot watches used as navigation instruments during WWII, with modern adaptations in size and materials while maintaining the classic design elements.

Key Features:
Movement: Laco 200 automatic movement, based on the Swiss Sellita SW 200, with 26 jewels, automatic and manual winding, and accuracy of 0 to +14 seconds per day.

Case: 42 mm diameter, dark sandblasted stainless steel with the historic “FL23883” engraving on the side, domed and anti-reflective sapphire crystal, solid engraved case back, and water resistance up to 5 ATM (50 meters).

Dial: Iconic black dial without a logo for distraction-free readability, with thermally blued steel hands and Superluminova C3 luminous coating on hands and indexes for excellent visibility day and night.

Strap: Brown calf leather strap with rivets, 20 mm lug width, reminiscent of the original pilot watch straps.

Design: The watch features a type A dial style (“Baumuster A”) with 11 Arabic numerals and a triangle with two dots at 12 o’clock, straight lugs, and a matte finish to avoid reflections in the cockpit.

Dimensions: Height 12.8 mm, lug-to-lug 50 mm, weight approximately 94.3 g including strap.

Additional Details:
The watch is made in Germany by Laco, one of the original manufacturers of the WWII pilot watches.

It comes in a watch box including a cardboard box.

The design includes decorative rivets on the strap, a distinctive crown for use with gloves, and external engravings that replicate the original classification marks.

There are also variations such as the “Erbstuck” model with an antique finish and Swiss Laco 24 automatic movement (ETA 2824-2 base), but the standard Paderborn 42 mm automatic uses the Laco 200 movement.

The Paderborn 42 mm is priced around €980 to US$1,190 depending on the retailer and region.

In summary, the Laco Paderborn 42 mm Automatic Pilot Watch ORIGINAL is a historically inspired, high-quality pilot watch with modern automatic movement, robust construction, and classic WWII pilot watch aesthetics, ideal for enthusiasts of aviation history and vintage watch design.

FAQ
How does the 42 mm size compare to the original 55 mm pilot watches
What makes the Laco Paderborn model a true replica of WWII observation watches
How does the Swiss Laco 24 movement enhance this pilot watch’s reliability
What is unique about the Type B dial design on this Paderborn model
Why are there different case sizes like 39, 42, and 45 mm available for these watches