Laco

Laco was founded in 1925 in Pforzheim, Germany by Frieda Lacher and Ludwig Hummel under the name Lacher & Co. The name 'Laco' derives from the first syllables of 'Lacher' and 'Co.' In the early years, the company assembled watches using Swiss movements. After several years, the founders separated—Hummel remained with Laco while Frieda Lacher established a separate precision parts business. In 1933, Hummel founded Durowe (Deutsche Uhren Roh Werke) to produce German-made movements, reducing dependence on Swiss suppliers. By the mid-1950s, Durowe was producing 80,000 movements per month with 1,400 employees. During World War II, Laco became one of only five manufacturers (alongside A. Lange & Söhne, Stowa, Wempe, and IWC) selected to produce B-Uhr observation watches for Luftwaffe pilots. These 55mm chronometer-grade watches featured the Durowe cal. D 5 movement and met strict specifications from the Reich Air Ministry. After WWII, despite Pforzheim suffering 80% destruction from Allied bombing, Laco rebuilt and resumed production by 1949 with Marshall Plan assistance. The company pioneered automatic movements with the Duromat (1952) and produced Germany's first functioning electric wristwatch, the Laco-electric (1961). Laco-Durowe was sold to Timex in 1959, then to Swiss Ebauches S.A. in 1965. The quartz crisis of the 1970s severely impacted the company. In 1988, Horst Günther acquired the Laco name and logo rights, reviving the brand under Erich Lacher Uhrenfabrik. A 75th anniversary reissue of the legendary pilot watch in 2000 sold out completely. After insolvency in 2009 and a brief period under Kienzle, Laco resumed independent operations in 2010 with renewed focus on handcrafted pilot watches. The company continues manufacturing in Pforzheim, honoring its heritage while developing modern timepieces.