Two German watchmaking giants, forged in the heart of the "Golden City," have joined forces to celebrate a remarkable legacy! For over a century, Pforzheim has been a beacon of German craftsmanship, renowned for its exquisite jewelry and precision watchmaking, a tradition shared by both Laco and Circula. This year, these two esteemed brands, marking their own significant milestones – 100 years for Laco and 70 years for Circula – have unveiled a special collaboration: the ProLab collection. This partnership isn't just about celebrating anniversaries; it's a testament to their shared vision and a deep respect for German watchmaking heritage.
The name "ProLab" itself is a clever blend, drawing inspiration from Circula's PROTrail and Laco's PRO lines, while "Lab" signifies a dedicated space for innovation and co-creation. Initially, a single watch was envisioned, but the partners wisely decided that two distinct pieces would better embody the unique strengths of each brand and their unified purpose.
Laco's Field Watch: A Rugged Elegance
Laco presents a 40mm sandblasted stainless steel field watch, a design built upon their PRO case, measuring a slim 11.3mm in height. This watch boasts an impressive 200 meters of water resistance, a standout feature for a field watch, thanks to its screw-down crown. The solid case back is a canvas for its limited-edition number and a special engraving of Pforzheim, complete with markers indicating the home cities of both brands. Protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, the sand-colored dial features a captivating circular graining on the inner portion, with a matte outer ring displaying 24-hour time and crisp black Arabic numerals. The luminescence is equally striking, with Old Radium Super-LumiNova adorning the entire outer ring and BGW9 Super-LumiNova on the thermally blued hour and minute hands. Both Laco and Circula branding are present, with the specific brand name prominently displayed at the top. It comes equipped with a 20mm sand-colored sailcloth strap featuring a leather lining and convenient quick-release levers. Under the hood, the Laco watch is powered by the reliable Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré automatic movement, featuring 26 jewels, a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), and a 41-hour power reserve. It's meticulously adjusted to three positions, promising an accuracy of +/-7 seconds per day, and offers central hours, minutes, hacking seconds, and date functions (though the date is not utilized in this specific design).
Quick Facts for Laco's Field Watch:
* Case: 40mm diameter x 11.3mm, sandblasted stainless steel
* Crystal: AR sapphire
* Case Back: Solid, engraved with limited edition number and Pforzheim map
* Water Resistance: 200m
* Dial: Sand-colored with circular graining, Old Radium Super-LumiNova on the outer ring
* Hands: Thermally blued with Super-LumiNova BGW9
* Movement: Sellita SW200-1 (Elaboré), 26 jewels, 28,800vph (4Hz), 41h power reserve
* Functions: Central hours, minutes, hacking seconds, date (not used)
* Strap: 20mm sand-colored sailcloth with leather lining and quick-release
Circula's Type-B Flieger: A Nod to Aviation History
Circula's contribution is a 40mm stainless steel watch, utilizing their ProTrail case, enhanced with a scratch-resistant treatment rated at 1,200 Vickers hardness. It's slightly thicker than its Laco counterpart at 12.3mm and includes additional antimagnetic protection, making it a robust choice. The screw-down crown ensures 150 meters of water resistance, a respectable figure, though 50 meters less than the Laco. The solid case back mirrors the engraving found on the Laco model. An anti-reflective sapphire crystal safeguards the black dial, which also features circular graining on the inside. The outer ring presents 12-hour numerals in a matte finish, adopting a Type-B Flieger-inspired layout with prominent Arabic numerals from 5 to 55, a design historically favored for its legibility in cockpits.
The thermally blued hour and minute hands are coated with BGW9 Super-LumiNova, as are the outer numerals and five-minute markers, ensuring excellent visibility in low light. This timepiece is paired with a 20mm black sailcloth strap with a leather lining and quick-release levers, and even the buckle has received the scratch-resistant treatment. Powering the Circula watch is the identical Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré automatic movement found in the Laco.
Quick Facts for Circula's Type-B Flieger:
* Case: 40mm diameter x 12.3mm, stainless steel treated to 1,200 Vickers hardness
* Crystal: AR sapphire
* Case Back: Solid, engraved with limited edition number and Pforzheim map
* Water Resistance: 150m
* Dial: Black with circular graining, 12-hour time, Type-B-inspired numerals on the outer ring
* Hands: Thermally blued with Super-LumiNova BGW9
* Luminescence: Outer numerals and five-minute marks with Super-LumiNova BGW9
* Movement: Sellita SW200-1 (Elaboré), 26 jewels, 28,800vph (4Hz), 41h power reserve
* Functions: Central hours, minutes, hacking seconds, date (not used)
* Strap: 20mm black sailcloth with leather lining and quick-release
The ProLab – A Unified Set of 170
The ProLab set is an indivisible collection, meaning both the Laco and Circula watches are sold exclusively together as a limited edition of just 170 sets. This number, 170, is a direct tribute to the combined anniversaries: 100 years of Laco and 70 years of Circula. Each set arrives in a distinctive aluminum case, accompanied by a gold-colored coin bearing the unique limited-edition number. Uwe Rücker and Cornelius Huber, the esteemed Owners & Managing Directors of Laco and Circula respectively, have forged a truly remarkable partnership. But here's where it gets controversial: In an industry often characterized by fierce competition, these two brands, rivals in their own right, have chosen to collaborate, demonstrating a profound respect for each other and a shared dedication to celebrating the rich watchmaking tradition of Pforzheim. Is this a sign of a new era of cooperation in the watch world, or a unique anomaly?
Both watches are offered as a set for EUR 2,390.
This collaboration beautifully bridges the past and the future, honoring the deep historical roots of Pforzheim while embracing modern watchmaking innovation. What are your thoughts on this unprecedented partnership between Laco and Circula? Do you believe more brands should follow this collaborative spirit, or is competition the true driver of innovation? Share your opinions in the comments below!
