A RARE AND WELL PRESERVED LACO GERMAN WORLD WAR II MILITARY MANUAL WRISTWATCH FOR LUFTWAFFE PILOTS.

Date: Circa 1942
Model: Navigator Watch
Case reference: FL.23883
Movement: Signed, Lac (Lacher & Co), manual, 22- Jewels, Cal. Du Rowe D5, No.01627
Dial: Mate black, large outer white minute division with Arabic numerals, inner white Arabic hours division, blued sword hands with radium insert, white radium applied centre seconds hand with a black counter weight
Case: Signed, steel, snap on back, No. 127-560B, H1627
Strap: Generic brown
Size: 55mm

*The same model can be found in the book Military Timepieces by Konrad Knirim, pp 348, 349 and 350.

Navigation watches during World War II were tested for Chronometer quality (Gesundbrumnen near Glashutte), to be used by pilots with long straps around their flight jackets. As the demand was increased by the military, Lange & Sohne alone couldn't meet it and other producers were asked to help, such as IWC, Welpe, Walter Story and Lacher & Co. Luftwaffe High Command provided instructions regarding the operating precision and degree of movement completion required for manufacture.

Before being used, every single watch had to be tested and provided with certification by the German Naval Observatory.

The last fine adjustments had to be conducted in six different positions and at least three different temperatures, in order to obtain the special or first class rating required to be allowed to be used in service.