The lineage of pilot's watches is a story of precision, legibility, and uncompromising function. Within this storied history, Laco has long been a name of substance, a manufacturer whose identity was forged in the demanding crucible of mid-20th century aviation. Now, building on one of its established chronograph families, the German watchmaker introduces a compelling new aesthetic with the Kiel.2 Blau. This is not merely a new colorway; it is a reinterpretation of a classic, infusing a modern, refined character into a design celebrated for its performance. The introduction of a deep blue dial breathes new life into the Kiel.2, offering a fresh perspective on a trusted and capable timepiece.
Since its establishment in Pforzheim, Germany, in 1925, Laco has cultivated a reputation for building watches with purpose. The brand's most significant historical contribution came in the 1940s when it was one of only five companies officially licensed to produce the iconic "Beobachtungsuhr," or observation watches, for German aviators. These original Flieger watches were not accessories but essential instruments, defined by their large cases, high-contrast dials for instant readability, and oversized crowns for operation with gloved hands. This foundational experience has remained at the core of Laco's identity for a century, shaping a philosophy that prioritizes technical excellence, authentic design, and a direct, customer-focused approach.
Courtesy of Laco
As Laco marks its 100th anniversary in 2025, its connection to this heritage is more evident than ever. The company has navigated the decades by staying true to its roots, focusing on craftsmanship and quality over mass production. This ethos is palpable in their modern collection, which spans from historically faithful pilot watches to robust tool watches and sophisticated chronographs. Laco’s approach allows for a degree of personalization in many of its models, reflecting a belief that a watch should be a distinctive companion, built on character rather than compromise. The Kiel.2 Blau is a direct product of this long-standing tradition, a watch that respects its past while confidently embracing a contemporary aesthetic.
The most captivating feature of the Kiel.2 Blau is, without question, its dial. The watch face is rendered in a profound, deep blue, brought to life by a subtle sunburst finish. This finishing technique allows the dial to interact dynamically with light, creating a visual spectacle that shifts and transforms with the wearer's every movement. In direct light, it can flare into a vibrant royal blue, while in lower light or at an angle, it recedes into an almost black hue. This effect provides a remarkable sense of visual depth, adding a layer of sophistication without ever feeling ostentatious or distracting from the watch's primary function of time-telling.
Adding to the textural richness of the dial, the chronograph subdials at 12 and 6 o'clock feature a fine azurage finish. This concentric circular pattern catches the light differently from the sunburst background, creating a subtle contrast that enhances dimensionality and delineates the chronograph functions. Laco's attention to detail is further exemplified by the color-matched date disc positioned at 3 o'clock. Instead of a standard white disc that would disrupt the visual harmony, Laco has implemented a dark blue disc with white printing, ensuring the date window integrates seamlessly into the overall design for a perfectly balanced and cohesive appearance.
Despite its refined new color scheme, the Kiel.2 Blau remains steadfastly true to its Flieger heritage, where legibility is paramount. The dial architecture is clean and unambiguous. Large, clear Arabic numerals mark the hours, accompanied by a precise minute track around the periphery. The iconic pilot's watch triangle with two dots at the 12 o’clock position, a historical feature designed for immediate orientation, is prominently featured. This commitment to clarity ensures that the time can be read at a single, fleeting glance.
Courtesy of Laco
To guarantee this exceptional readability extends into all lighting conditions, Laco has generously applied Super-LumiNova C3 to all critical elements of the dial. The hour and minute hands, the tip of the chronograph seconds hand, the Arabic numerals, and the primary hour markers are all coated with this high-performance luminous compound. In the dark or in low-light environments such as dusk or a dimly lit cockpit, these elements emit a powerful and vivid green glow, ensuring that the watch remains a reliable and functional instrument at all times.
A particularly noteworthy detail that blends technical precision with visual artistry is the use of thermally blued hands. The primary hour and minute hands are crafted from steel and then tempered using traditional heating methods. This process, which requires considerable skill, oxidizes the surface of the steel to create a stunning, iridescent blue color that is far more durable and nuanced than a simple chemical coating. The resulting metallic shimmer of the hands beautifully mirrors the various blue tones of the dial, creating a harmonious link between the watch's face and its time-telling indicators. This touch of classical watchmaking adds a layer of depth and craftsmanship that is both seen and appreciated.
The watch is housed in a robustly constructed 43 mm stainless steel case that feels both substantial and well-proportioned on the wrist. The case features a sophisticated interplay of finishes, with expertly brushed surfaces on the top of the lugs and sides, contrasted by a polished bezel that frames the dial. This mixed finishing adds visual interest and highlights the case's clean lines and strong geometry. With a height of 14.0 mm and a lug-to-lug distance of 51.5 mm, the watch has a commanding presence without being unwieldy.
Protecting the intricate dial is a double-domed sapphire crystal, a premium feature that provides superior scratch resistance and clarity. An anti-reflective coating is applied to minimize glare and further enhance legibility. For those seeking the utmost in clarity, Laco offers an optional double-sided anti-reflective coating, which makes the crystal virtually disappear at certain angles, though it can add a subtle blue sheen that happens to complement the dial's color perfectly. The large, easy-to-grip crown is another direct nod to the watch's tool-watch roots, ensuring comfortable and secure operation of the time and date functions.
Courtesy of Laco
The back of the watch is just as considered as the front. A sapphire crystal display back offers an unobstructed view into the mechanical heart of the timepiece, allowing the owner to admire the intricate workings of the movement. This feature bridges the gap between a functional tool and a piece of mechanical art. The case is rated for water resistance up to 10 ATM, equivalent to 100 meters, providing ample protection against the rigors of daily wear, including swimming and showering, making it a truly versatile companion.
Driving the Kiel.2 Blau is the Laco 500 automatic chronograph movement, which is based on the proven and reliable Swiss Sellita SW500 caliber. This workhorse movement is well-regarded in the industry for its robustness and accuracy. It operates at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a healthy power reserve of 56 hours, meaning the watch can be set down for a weekend and will still be running on Monday morning. The movement features 25 jewels to reduce friction on key components, ensuring longevity and stable performance.
Laco offers the Laco 500 movement in two different grades, catering to varying levels of horological enthusiasm. The standard configuration is the Elaboré grade, which is already a high-quality specification offering solid accuracy and reliability. For customers who demand an even higher level of precision, a Top-grade version is available upon request. The Top grade features upgraded components and is adjusted in more positions, resulting in superior timekeeping performance.
Beyond performance, Laco provides options for aesthetic enhancement of the movement itself. For those who appreciate the fine art of watch finishing, the movement can be upgraded with decorative flourishes such as perlage and Geneva stripes, which add intricate patterns to the bridges and plates. Thermally blued screws can also be added for another touch of color that echoes the hands on the dial side. A recent and significant addition to these options is a newly designed, exclusive Laco rotor, which provides a distinctive and personal touch visible through the caseback.
Courtesy of Laco
Laco presents the Kiel.2 Blau with two distinct strap choices, each one fundamentally altering the watch's overall character. The first option is a smooth calf leather strap in a warm, dark brown. In a deliberate design choice that distinguishes it from many of Laco's other pilot watches, this strap is made without the traditional rivets. This omission lends the watch a more classic and refined aesthetic, steering it away from a purely utilitarian look and toward something more versatile that pairs excellently with both casual and smarter attire.
The second option is a handsome and sturdy stainless steel bracelet with an integrated folding clasp that features secure push-button releases. This bracelet transforms the Kiel.2 Blau into a decidedly cooler and sportier timepiece. The brushed steel links perfectly match the finishing on the case, creating a seamless and integrated look. The cool tones of the metal have a striking effect on the dial, making the deep blue hue appear even more vibrant and crisp. This combination is heavier, weighing 185 grams compared to the 105 grams of the leather-strapped version, but offers a rugged and athletic presence on the wrist.
Visually, the watch makes a confident statement. The blue dial serves as a dynamic canvas, shifting and playing with the light in a way that continuously offers new facets to appreciate. When paired with the steel bracelet, the watch has a crisp, modern, and slightly technical feel. The blue of the dial seems to glow against the cool, monochromatic backdrop of the steel. It's a look that is simultaneously understated in its color palette and striking in its overall effect.
On the brown leather strap, the watch takes on a warmer, more classical personality. The rich brown of the smooth calfskin provides a beautiful, earthy contrast to the cool blue of the dial. This combination feels less like a technical instrument and more like a sophisticated daily companion. It highlights the watch's ability to be dressed up or down, preserving the spirit of the pilot watch while confidently charting its own stylistic course. The versatility offered by these two strap options is a significant part of the Kiel.2 Blau's appeal.
The launch of the blue dial model is a thoughtful expansion of the Kiel.2 series, which has long been a cornerstone of Laco's modern collection. Previously available with a classic black dial for a traditional look, or a crisp white dial for a more dynamic appearance, the series has proven its worth and design appeal over the years. The addition of the Kiel.2 Blau doesn't replace these options but rather complements them, adding a new layer of character and choice for discerning customers.
Courtesy of Laco
This new model is a testament to Laco's ability to evolve while honoring its history. It successfully merges the functional DNA of a classic Flieger chronograph with a refined, contemporary color scheme. It is a watch that feels both familiar in its capabilities and spirit, yet refreshingly distinct in its execution. The deep blue dial, the thermally blued hands, and the meticulous attention to detail throughout make the Kiel.2 Blau a compelling proposition in a competitive market segment.
The new Laco Flieger Chronograph Kiel.2 Blau is available now, offering a new chapter for this popular series. The model paired with the stainless steel bracelet, reference 862186.MB, is priced at $2,770.00 USD and can be purchased directly from Laco or through its network of authorized retailers. The version featuring the brown calf leather strap, reference 862186, is available for pre-order at a price of $2,650.00 USD, with shipping anticipated to begin at the end of July. Both models offer a distinct and compelling take on a modern pilot's chronograph, backed by a century of German watchmaking expertise.
Case: Stainless steel case with mixed brushed and polished surfaces. Diameter: 43.0 mm, Height: 14.0 mm, Lug-to-lug: 51.5 mm, Lug width: 22.0 mm. Double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating and a sapphire display back. Water resistance up to 10 ATM.
Movement: Laco 500 automatic chronograph (base Sellita SW 500), 25 jewels, 56-hour power reserve. Available in Elaboré or optional Top grade. Optional decorative finishes include Geneva stripes, thermally blued screws, and a custom Laco rotor.
Dial: Dark blue with a sunray finish. Arabic numerals and indexes with Superluminova C3. Thermally blued steel hour and minute hands filled with Superluminova C3. Color-matched dark blue date disc.
Strap: Choice of a brown calf leather strap (105 g total weight) or a stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp (185 g total weight).
Price: US $2,650.00 (Leather Strap) / US $2,770.00 (Stainless Steel Bracelet).
Reference Number: 862186 (Leather Strap) / 862186.MB (Stainless Steel Bracelet).
Notes: The watch features traditionally heat-tempered blued hands that complement the dynamic sunray dial. The leather strap version is available for pre-order, shipping at the end of July 2025.