[Harry047]

Hi, New to the forum, I just picked up this Laco Sport's watch, which I believe is from the 1940's, but others have said it's from the 50's or 60's.
I know it needs a new strap and glass, but it keeps great time.
It has a 526 movement, and it's number is 912437.
Any help in dating this Laco would be greatly appreciated.
Many thanks Harry

 

[Uwe W.]

For what it's worth, the Laco 526 (a.k.a. Durowe 410) was introduced during the mid-30s, and replaced - I think - around 1950 by the Durowe 420. A photo of the movement might help since the Laco engraving on the movement changed over the years from a cursive typeface to block lettering. Laco produced an unbelievable number of variations of the Sport model over the years, but given the shape of the case and its case back my guess would be that it was from the '40s and not the '50s or '60s.

 

[Harry047]

Many thanks for the reply, and information, Unfortunately there is no Laco symbol on the movement, here are some more photo's

 

[StufflerMike]

Since it has no 4 digit case no on the back my guess would be: 1945 or even a bit later.
A - Z btw is Auf (open) and Zu (close) but I am sure you figured that out already as you opened the case back.

 

[Harry047]

Many many thanks for the replies, great to know it's definitely 1940's.
Will it be difficult to have the glass replaced in the UK?

 

[StufflerMike]

....
Will it be difficult to have the glass replaced in the UK?

Not really, you need to find a good watchnmaker who knows where to source a domed acrylic crystal from. Should be no big deal for an experienced, knowlegdeable watch maker.

I wouldn't try here:

 

[Uwe W.]

1945 or even a bit later.

I'm not sure about Laco production history during the late '40s, but the factory was leveled to the ground on February 23, 1945 as part of RAF bombing that killed 31% of Pforzheim's population and destroyed 83% of its buildings. Since the Laco-Durowe head office wasn't rebuilt until 1949, it would be interesting to know if Laco continued to produce watches at a temporary facility during those four years, and if they did, what the production numbers were. It certainly would have been difficult for the company to have come close to its production output of the early '40s.

 

[StufflerMike]

i am sure you know that: The temporary facility was the Metallwarenfabrik Wolff, Pforzheim, Hohenzollernstraße 81-83, owned by Ludwig Hummel, bought in 1939 (according to Wirtschaftsarchiv Baden-Württemberg). No production numbers.

 

[Uwe W.]

I didn't know, so thanks for that.

 

[mdinana]

I'm totally useless, other than to ask, have you tried asking Laco directly?

 

[Harry047]

I'm totally useless, other than to ask, have you tried asking Laco directly?

Yes, I asked Laco, but they couldn't tell me anything about the watch.:-(

Thanks to all, for a most appreciated history lesson.