The New High-Flying Laco Hamburg DIN 8330 and Hamburg GMT DIN 8330 Pilot Watches

The new Laco Hamburg DIN 8330 and Hamburg GMT DIN 8330 timepieces pay homage to this German brand’s historical role as a supplier of pilot watches in the 1940s, serving as essential cockpit instruments. As the name indicates, the new models are certified to the exacting norms set by the German DIN 8330 standard, established in March 2016 as a contemporary benchmark for aviator watches. Let’s see how the new references align.

Watches certified under DIN 8330 are designed to fully assume the functions of time measurement instruments in aircraft and helicopters, adhering to specific requirements regarding functionality, reliability, resistance to external stresses, safety, and compatibility with the aviation environment. The standard dictates criteria such as clear readability during day and night, operability with pilot gloves, accuracy in temperature variations, resilience to pressure changes, resistance to liquids found in aircraft, and durability against vibrations, impact, centrifugal forces, temperature fluctuations, and magnetic fields. The DIN 8330 also ensures that the watch does not visually interfere with other equipment, particularly night-vision gear, minimising distractions for pilots and eliminating the potential for interference with the plane’s avionics and emergency compass.

The new Laco Hamburg DIN 8330 and Hamburg GMT DIN 8330 models uphold the reputation of German quality standards. Both feature a 43.5 mm diameter case with magnetic field protection, crafted from high-quality 904L stainless steel, known for its exceptional resistance to corrosion, heat and saltwater and increased durability against mechanical stress and abrasion. The dark sandblasted surface of the cases eliminates reflections in the cockpit, and the flat sapphire crystal with AR coating on both sides prevents glare. Both models feature a bidirectional rotating bezel with a ceramic insert and distinctive grip to operate efficiently with gloves. The minute markers and indices on the bezel are coated with Super-LumiNova C1. The fluted screw-down crown, protected with a crown guard, and the solid caseback with an aeroplane relief ensure water resistance up to 200m.

The black matte soft iron dials prioritise legibility, featuring three large numerals, 3, 6 and 9, the iconic triangle at 12 o’clock, and white indexes and hands. The logos and date at 4 o’clock are cleverly painted grey to avoid distraction during flight. Super-LumiNova C1 on the numerals, indices and hands ensures optimal legibility in low-light conditions. The GMT model is distinguished from the time and date Laco Hamburg DIN 8330 reference by the inner 24-hour scale with numerals in dark orange Super-LumiNova, repeated on the arrowhead of the GMT hand. This is where true time zone travellers might get upset because the Hamburg GMT DIN 8330 falls into the “office GMT” category.

Laco relies on the automatic, premium grade movements from Sellita to power these two new models, with the time and date version equipped with the SW200 (38-hour power reserve) and the GMT version featuring the SW330 (50-hour power reserve). The Laco Hamburg DIN 8330 watches come with a water-repellent black Nytech strap, securely fastened to the case with screwed bars. The straps are closed with a dark grey sandblasted buckle, matching the case surface.

The Hamburg DIN 8330 and Hamburg GMT DIN 8330 are set to be available in December and will be delivered in an aluminium box, accompanied by a DIN Zertifikat and a ‘DIN 8330″ Schlüsselhalter (key ring). The price is EUR 1,790 and EUR 2,390, respectively.

For more information, please visit Laco-Watches.com.