Flieger Watches

[stevedssd]

I'm thinking about buying a Flieger and in particular I'm looking at the Stowa Flieger Classic 40 Baumuster B or the larger 43mm Sports Baumuster B. Any feedback from owners of either or any other suggestions welcomed. I have a 7.25 inch wrist, so can happily wear larger watches.

[AEC]

Cool. I do very much like Stowa's Flieger Classic 40 with the B-Type dial. I think it strikes a great balance with its tool-watch features and its attractive all-satin finish. Also, there are a nice range of calibers available to suit your preference (auto vs manual winding, degree of finish, etc.).

In a price bracket similar to Stowa, I do recommend reviewing the Pilot Watch Original collection from Laco. I owned a 42mm Leipzig for a time, and I found it quite acceptable. It was put together with care, and it operated very well (crown operations felt great, and it ran really well). The bead-blasted finish didn't suit my taste at the time, so it didn't stay, but if I were looking again today then it would be on my short list. I recommend considering the Dortmund in the 45mm case and the Leipzig in the 42mm case. The lug-to-lug measurement is key on these models because of how said lugs are crafted:https://www.laco-watches.com/en/watc...watch-original

For something unique and made with care, have a look at Tourby Watches. I don't see a B-type dial on their site now, but they customise watches as a course of business, so they may have an offering available in case it's your preference: https://www.tourbywatches.com/watches/

In a different price bracket, I can also recommend IWC Pilot watches from my own experience. I wore this Pilot Spitfire Chronograph with a new, in-house caliber before it went in trade for a Portugieser, and I found it very well made. It ran and operated extremely well, and it fit beautifully, albeit quite tall and chunky (which I liked). The dial was dark graphite with a matte lustre, and the shiny frames and warm color of the hands contrasted beautifully. It was quite the looker

[stevedssd]

^ Thanks for the really helpful reply, some really useful perspectives based on experience and some more watches to research.......I must admit I'm torn between the Stowa and Laco

[thesingularity7]

I'm not an expert on Flieger watches, but I've spent the last 3 weeks with two beautiful fliegers from Laco. They were sent in for me to review and I'll be happy to send you links to the detailed reviews when they're done, but in short:



Left: Munster Blaue Stunde 42mm ($1190) | Right: Augsburg Blaue Stunde 39mm ($410)

The Munster is more "authentic" than the Augsburg, and in my limited research into the topic, appears to be truer to the original Flieger design spec. Stowa is said to make excellent watches, but their case designs have evolved (a bit) with time to suit modern needs, whereas the Laco Original Series has more or less stayed true to the original. As AEC mentioned, the Dortmund and Leipzig would be fantastic pieces to add to a collection as they very accurately give you the Flieger experience, minus the original 55mm case size(!). I chose to review the blue dials because I'm a sucker for blue watches and like the added bit of 'flare', which technically goes against the Flieger design spec.

If you're on a budget, I can't say enough good things about the Augsburg. I have detailed side-by-side comparisons of the two watches, and it is clear that they have put the same amount of effort into the case and dial across the two watches, which is very impressive considering the Augsburg is 3x less than the Munster. The movement on the Augsburg is a bit disappointing, but that comes with the territory.

[stevedssd]

^ Thanks for such a helpful response, links when you have reviewed would be awesome. I'll be having an in-depth look at the Laco Flieger's now for sure. I do see what you mean about the case on the Laco's, I'll need to weight up carefully the pro's and con's......I do like the craftsmanship of the Stowa's but that bead blasted case and far more original case back is very interesting. I'm going to take my time to decide on this one

[thesingularity7]

Originally Posted by stevedssd

^ Thanks for such a helpful response, links when you have reviewed would be awesome. I'll be having an in-depth look at the Laco Flieger's now for sure. I do see what you mean about the case on the Laco's, I'll need to weight up carefully the pro's and con's......I do like the craftsmanship of the Stowa's but that bead blasted case and far more original case back is very interesting. I'm going to take my time to decide on this one

I'm happy to share! I've honestly enjoyed both these watches. They're really well constructed and finished really well.

The caseback on the Munster is quite cool!

[stevedssd]

That bead blasted case does look good and the case back details are really nice.....this will not be an easy choice

[ajw45]

Would take the stowa any day over the laco. They can all start to look the same online but in hand side by side no comparison imho.

[ts3]

Originally Posted by ajw45

Would take the stowa any day over the laco. They can all start to look the same online but in hand side by side no comparison imho.

Agree.

I went IWC Mark XV almost 20 years ago, added the bracelet later, and have had no regrets. At 38mm possibly too small for OP but is is such a versatile and robust piece. A true tool watch on the bracelet that can get dressed up nicely on the strap. Lots of watches have come and gone since, but this one is still getting the most wrist time.

[stevedssd]

Thanks for the contributions above, really appreciated. I am usually an impulse buyer but I'm enjoying the research and taking my time on this one, as there are lots of choices

[stevedssd]

Thought I'd update the thread with the result and it happens to be my 2,000th post as well

[KBM]

Hey Steve,

If you like a vintage pilot watch vibe, I can recommend my IWC. It's the only flieger I own and has many of the elements which define the genre for me.

[KBM]

Originally Posted by stevedssd

Thought I'd update the thread with the result and it happens to be my 2,000th post as well

Jus saw this last post, congratulations! That looks awesome!

[flytier]

Originally Posted by kauebm

Hey Steve,

If you like a vintage pilot watch vibe, I can recommend my IWC. It's the only flieger I own and has many of the elements which define the genre for me.

Does the bezel rotate?

[KBM]

Originally Posted by flytier

Does the bezel rotate?

Yes. The triangle at 12 rotates with it.

[stevedssd]

I love that IWC! In my journey I decided that I'll need to add an IWC at some point and that is a beauty....

[Justindo]

I like Stowa Fliegers, as they strike a great balance between price and quality. Still, I don't think one would go wrong with Laco or Archimede either. Each has strengths and weaknesses. Of course IWC is at the top in terms of Fliegers but so are their prices.

[stevedssd]

There are some really great Flieger options and I guess it all comes down to personal preference. When I thought it through I decided I wanted something that was close to the originals (but without a 55mm case size!). I think Laco does this look really well. Stowa produces a really nicely finished watch that is a lovely mix of original features and subtle modern updates (for example the watch specs engraved on the rotor with a crystal caseback). IWC IMO keeps the Flieger theme with the Big Pilot at a very big price and also leans to its Mk XI heritage with the current MkXVIII and Spitfire line. All lovely watches .....

[thewatchidiot]

I’m not into flieger watches (yet) but just saw this Fortis reviewed. I borrowed the picture from Watchbuys website.

[scarlet knight]

Originally Posted by stevedssd

Thought I'd update the thread with the result and it happens to be my 2,000th post as well

Or Stowa?

[stevedssd]

Originally Posted by scarlet knight

Or Stowa?

Laco Paderborn

[isgrb]

Check out Sinn as well. They have an iteration of the classic B-uhr but a lot of Flieger style designs. Classic German over-engineering too, one of my favorite brands.