Laco Watches Releases The Cuxhaven and The Bremerhaven
By: Kaz Mirza
In December 2018 German watch manufacturer Laco announced the addition of two new pieces to their collection: The vintage navy inspired white dial Cuxhaven and the black dial Bremerhaven.
The basic idea with the Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven is to offer a light dial and dark dial version of a watch that combines characteristics of a 1940s pocket watch as well as a watch resembling a timepiece worn by crew members of the U1 Submarine (according to the brand). I mean, visually speaking the watch certainly captures that vintage appeal with the subseconds dial at 6, classic syringe hands, railroad minute track, and fluted bezel.
The Laco Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven seem like great choices for those in the market for something that looks vintage but features reliable modern construction. The Cuxhaven comes with a 22mm cream colored leather strap while the Bremerhaven features a 22m black leather strap.
Here are the Laco Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven specs:
- White Dial (Cuxhaven) | Black Dial (Bremerhaven)
- Sandblasted and polished case
- 42.5 mm in diameter, 50mm lug to lug, and 13.5 mm thick
- 22mm lug width
- Flat sapphire crystal with AR coating
- 100M Water Resistance
- Screw down case with with sapphire exhibition window
- C3 Superluminova
- Powered by the Manual Wind Laco 98
- Base ETA 6498.1 (Elaboré)
- 2 Year Manufacturer Warranty
- MSRP €980/$1122
When you really dig into it, you can start to notice inspiration from and varainces within Laco’s current Navy line. The case is very reminiscent of the Laco Valencia, but the crown is different. The dial is very evocative of the Wilhelmshaven pocket watch, but the hands and minute track are slightly different. Ultimately when you get perspective the Laco Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven they do feel like unique offerings within the Laco Nayy line.
For me I’m initially attracted to the watch and I enjoy that feeling of having a very well decorated manual wind movement on my wrist. I also love the fluted bezel and the onion crown. I like how the dial also preserves that stark legibility which many vintage pieces capture so well but while also ensuring some visual interest with the sub seconds dial. However the one aspect of the watch that has me a bit unsure is the size.
At 42mm diameter, 50mm lug to lug, and 13.5mm thick, the Laco Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven may wear a bit larger than one would expect from such a heavily vintage inspired piece. But I suppose that’s part of the appeal. One of the more common complaints about vintage pieces is that they’re too small to be worn in normal rotation these days. So maybe it’s a smart choice to have the Laco Cuxhaven and Bremerhaven wear on the larger side.
I think practically speaking as a brand offering it’s nice to see Laco focusing on more pieces outside the Flieger line recently. With their new diver release last year and now these two new Navy inspired pieces, I’m certainly excited to see them expanding their product offerings.
Truth be told there also isn’t really enough real world experiences or interactions for me to draw from. The best we can do is check out the renders and extrapolate from the info that the brand shares. However at first glace I think the watch is certainly quite handsome and if I get the opportunity to do a review of the watch for everyone I’ll be sure to share my insights.
Well, those are my initial thoughts. What does everyone else think? Totally let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
Photos courtesy of Laco Watches
Co-Founder and Senior Editor
Kaz has been collecting watches since 2015, but he’s been fascinated by product design, the Collector’s psychology, and brand marketing his whole life. While sharing the same strong fondness for all things horologically-affordable as Mike (his TBWS partner in crime), Kaz’s collection niche is also focused on vintage Soviet watches as well as watches that feature a unique, but well-designed quirk or visual hook.
I grew up in Bremerhaven and have been to Cuxhaven too.
Plus I really dig the design of these. BUT for me it’s a pitty that they went for those dimensions.
Killed it for me.
Good write-up, Kaz.
Cheers from Germany
Daniel /@daniels_watches
Daniel:
Ah, that’s so cool!
Yea I feel like the dimensions are a big hurdle. If I ever get one in for review I’ll be sure to share my thoughts on the wearability of the piece.
Thanks for commenting!
-Kaz
I think the size has a direct correlation with the movement in this watch – I was originally assuming it’s an Unitas movement from the pocketwatch (Stowa uses it too). From the back it’s visible that there isn’t much shrinking to be made…
Yea that actually makes a lot of sense, so maybe they did the best with what they were working with.
With a Unitas (ETA 6498) you can’t make the watch smaller. This is a large movement that was made for pocket watches. Marine watches from Stowa or Archimede are of the same size.
I think the black one, the Bremerhaven, is an extremely handsome piece. I would consider getting it on looks alone – the bezel, crown, dial, lume and hand set are all very well done It certainly looks way more expensive than it is. As a taller gent with a 7.25in wrist, I think I could pull it off.
I’m a fan of Stowa, too, so it’s interesting to compare this to the Marine Original, which uses the same movement.