Laco Aachen 42

Since 1925, Laco has been crafting precision timepieces that honor the legacy of WWII-era Flieger watches. We carry Laco because their commitment to heritage and quality makes them a perfect fit for those who appreciate historically inspired, well-built timepieces.

The Laco Aachen 42 takes the Type B Flieger dial, with its distinctive inner chapter ring and outer minute track, and puts it in a case that commands the wrist. At 42mm it sits closer to the original dimensions that defined the genre, and the added dial real estate lets the Type B layout breathe in a way the 39mm simply can't replicate. Same German craftsmanship and aviation heritage as the rest of the Aachen lineup, scaled up for those who want more presence on the wrist. All watches come with a 2 year warranty through Laco.

Specifications

Case Diameter: 42mm
Lug-to-Lug: 50mm
Thickness: 11.75mm
Lug Width: 20mm

Case Material: Brushed stainless
Crystal: Flat sapphire
Movement: Laco 2S automatic
Power Reserve: Approx 42 hours
Water Resistance: 50 meters

Strap/Bracelet: Brown riveted leather pilot strap

Our Take

If there's one watch in the Laco lineup where the larger case size feels most justified, it's the Aachen 42. The Type B dial, with its chapter ring, minute track, and additional visual layering, rewards the extra space. Everything has room to sit correctly, the hierarchy of the dial reads naturally at a glance, and the overall effect is a watch that looks genuinely substantial without tipping into costume territory. The riveted leather strap does exactly what it should at this size, keeping the watch grounded and wearable rather than showy. This is the configuration for someone who's done the research, knows what a Type B dial is, and wants to wear one at the size closer to what it was meant to be worn at.

Who This Watch Is For

• Buyers who already know they wear 40mm+ and want the Type B dial experience at its most resolved. The larger case is where this dial format truly comes into its own
• Collectors building out a Laco pairing: the Aachen 42 and Augsburg 42 together cover both classic Flieger dial types at the same size, which is a genuinely compelling two-watch set
• Anyone who's looked at the Aachen 39 and wished it were just a little bigger, this is exactly that watch
• People comparing across the full lineup: Type A vs Type B is a dial preference, 39 vs 42 is a wrist size question. If you want Type B and you wear bigger watches, this is the answer

Watch our full review: