I've been looking at the offerings from some of the German watch producers. Some are better known than others, but the pick from what I have seen to date is probably this beautiful chrono from Laco. I love the cream face, uncluttered dials and blued hands. At euro 1600 it is way beyond the price I am prepared to pay for a watch but I think it is worth sharing this image


And this image from Bethge and Sohne. No details on the movement but the other watches on the Bethge website suggest ETA. At euro 599 it isn't cheap but I do like the classic dress design. Reminds me a bit of an Oris artelier.



I have no idea whether Laco and/or Bethge offer a step up in quality compared to CWL but it does make me think that CW continues to offer good quality at competitive prices.

I like that Laco; hints of Nomos and IWC about it.

I, too, think the Laco looks ace.

Like the Bethge and Sohne but would rather get a CW, Oris or Hamilton equivalent instead

Another German brand to add, UHR. Dont know much about them but excellent VFM and I was very close to buying one of their Pilot watches before a C5 came up at a good price.
http://www.uhr.info

I like both of those. In fact, I'm a fan of most German watches. I think you get a little more bang for your buck than with Swiss, and the quality is right up there.

My experience of German watches is limited to the one I've recently acquired, but that is certainly impressive! The Laco chronograph is lovely, in fact there are some really nice watches on their site. However, if I wanted an automatic chrono I'd probably look at the C700 which also has a Valjoux 7750 and is around half the price.

Nothing wrong with Laco as a brand....personally i don't like the one above....the hands and numbers look too thin and weedy for the watch.

Normally I bow to Village as the font of wisdom when it comes to style and taste, but in the case of that Laco, mate, you are just wrong It's a lovely looking thing and the thin blued hands look classy and refined. It looks like it should be running a 7750 movement which is a pretty good thing and overall, it's a cracker.

But too much for me to pay

xtriple wrote:But too much for me to pay

Anything right now is too much for you to pay....you said so! You are on the wagon!

Hi David

Both nice watches indeed though like yourself 1600 euro is still a bridge too far for me on one watch makes the 599 euro Oris style look like a bargain in some senses


Thanks for the pics

RichT

Kip wrote:

xtriple wrote:But too much for me to pay

Anything right now is too much for you to pay....you said so! You are on the wagon!

I am indeed. My halo is getting a trifle tight though

Both are good looking watches, first I have heard of Bethge and Sohne though.

The Laco looks nothing special to me. Much prefer the Archimede offering, but the Bethge & Sohne is a really nice watch. It is a little like the Oris as has been commented, but I prefer this one going from the photo. I have to admit I have never heard of them though.
I do like German watches generally, they seem to be on the whole very good value and well made. I only have one, a Stowa Mo, but it is impressive. I think I'd like to add to my German pieces at some point.

Cheers,
Jack.