Laco Launch Edition 97 as Latest Entry in Mission 2025 Series 

It takes a lot to be considered one of the best watchmakers in your country, but there’s no denying that Laco have put in the work. While their 100th anniversary is actually in three years, the German watchmaker has begun celebrations early with Mission 2025, a series of watches released once per year in the run up to the big anniversary. For 2023 we have the Laco Edition 97.

The name Edition 97 comes from the fact that this year marks Laco’s 97th anniversary, following in the footsteps of the Editions 95 and 96 – and it’s the most exciting one yet, a bronze pilot’s watch with a case measuring 42mm with a retro design. There’s a classic oversize crown at 3 o’clock and it’s presented on an aged leather strap, as if it was created decades ago.

Even the dial leans into the vintage aesthetic with beige lume across the hands and numerals. The layout of the dial also echoes this style with an internal hour scale and peripheral minute scale, both presented over a dark green dial. However, there is one facet of Edition 97 that reveals that it’s only vintage-styled and not vintage itself, the fact that the bronze case bears no patina, as builds up over time with bronze watches. Afterall, that’s for the new owner to build through years of wear and making it unique to them.

Beneath the richly coloured dial is the Sellita SW200 movement, an absolute stalwart of the watch industry. These days the 38-hour power reserve definitely sticks out as a weakness, but as this is the Elaboré grade version it does have improved accuracy (approx. +/- 7 seconds per day) compared to the regular version of the movement. So, on the whole the use of this calibre is no issue.

Like all models in the Mission 2025 series, the Laco Edition 97 is a limited edition of, as you may have guessed already, 97 pieces. In terms of price, it’s pretty solid for a limited edition bronze pilot’s watch, €1,490 (approx. £1,285). Finger’s crossed 2025 will be even better.