The Stowa Flieger Verus 36, a Smaller and Modern Addition to the Collection

In case you don’t know, Stowa is a brand with a rich history and enduring appeal. Established in 1927 by Walter Storz, Stowa remained a family-owned venture until 1996. Following its acquisition by Jörg Schauer, the brand’s legacy was upheld, with a focus on revitalizing and modernizing timepieces from Stowa’s extensive archives. Nowadays, Stowa boasts six distinctive collections: Marine, Classic, Chronograph, Sports, Bauhaus, and, of course, Pilot – the latter renowned for its flieger-style watches. Stowa’s association with pilot’s watches traces back to its role as one of the five suppliers of B-Uhren to the German Luftwaffe during WWII, alongside A. Lange, IWC, Laco, and Wempe, until production was interrupted by Allied bombing of Pforzheim and destruction of Stowa’s manufacture in 1945. Stowa remained active after the war, yet the brand revived the Flieger-inspired series only at the end of the 1990s. Since then, these series have garnered popularity for their simplicity, legibility, iconic look, and historical connection. Maintaining fidelity to the original Flieger design codes established many decades ago, Stowa offers an enviable price-to-quality ratio, making its Pilot watches an instant hit. 

Today, we introduce the latest addition to Stowa’s offering, notably created in response to brand fans asking for a modern(ish) Flieger watch with a smaller case diameter. Please welcome the Stowa Flieger Verus 36, with notable customization options.

The Verus 36, like its siblings, the Verus 40 and 42, comes in a stainless steel case with characteristic lugs and a narrow bezel. Its glass bead-blasted finish and sleek curves exude a modern and comfortable feel. The sizeable fluted onion crown is not the screw-down type, so the watch maintains a water resistance of 50m. A sapphire crystal caseback adds a contemporary touch without detracting from the classic pilot aesthetic.

The dial features a Baumuster “A” matte black design with a white handset, crisp printed Arabic indices, and a distinctive triangle with two dots at 12 o’clock, all treated with Super-LumiNova BGW9 for optimal readability. Stowa offers the option of adding a subtle date window at 6 o’clock and a logo below 12 o’clock, providing customization while still nodding to historical accuracy. Though the 36mm size deviates significantly from the original 55mm diameter of the B-Uhr, the option without logo or date remains particularly appealing.

Stowa takes customer involvement to another level by offering a choice of movements to power the Flieger Verus 36. You can opt for either the automatic Sellita SW 200 with 38 hours of power reserve in its standard finishing, or the top version with more decoration, or choose the top version of the hand-wound Sellita SW 210. While both versions guarantee reliable timekeeping, the distinction lies in the finishes applied and the accuracy.

The Stowa Flieger Verus 36 comes with a black pilot’s strap sans rivets, fastened with a pin buckle. A matte Milanese mesh bracelet with a deployant clasp is available, offering a stylish alternative not found with the Verus 40 and 42. Prices begin at EUR 950 for the standard automatic movement, EUR 1,080 for the top-grade automatic, and EUR 1,100 for the hand-wound. For further details, visit stowa.de.