Get ready to dive into a fascinating story of collaboration and celebration! Two iconic watch brands, Laco and Circula, have joined forces to commemorate their shared heritage in Pforzheim, Germany's Golden City. With Laco celebrating a century and Circula marking seven decades, this partnership is a true testament to the power of unity in the watchmaking world.
But here's where it gets intriguing: they've crafted a special set of watches, the ProLab, inspired by each brand's signature collections - Circula's PROTrail and Laco's PRO line. The name 'ProLab' is a clever fusion of 'Pro' and 'Lab', representing the collaborative space where ideas come to life. Initially, a single watch was envisioned, but the decision to create two distinct timepieces showcases the unique identity of each brand and their shared vision.
Let's start with Laco's Field Watch, a masterpiece in its own right. Housed in a 40mm sandblasted stainless steel case, this watch boasts an impressive 200 meters of water resistance, thanks to its screw-down crown. The solid case back features the limited-edition number and a beautiful engraving of Pforzheim, with two golden markers indicating the homes of both brands. The sand-colored dial, protected by an AR sapphire crystal, has a circular graining effect and features 24-hour time indications. Both Laco and Circula are proudly displayed on the dial, with the specific brand name at the top. Powering this watch is a reliable Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré automatic movement, offering a 41-hour power reserve and an accuracy rating of +/-7 seconds per day.
Now, let's explore Circula's Type-B Flieger. This watch is crafted with a 40mm stainless steel ProTrail case, treated for scratch resistance to an impressive 1,200 Vickers hardness. It's slightly thicker than its Laco counterpart and offers additional antimagnetic protection. The screw-down crown ensures 150 meters of water resistance, and the solid case back is engraved similarly to the Laco piece. The black dial, with its circular graining and 12-hour time indications, is inspired by the Type-B setup, featuring large Arabic numerals from 5 to 55. The thermally blued hands and outer numerals are finished with Super-LumiNova BGW9, ensuring excellent visibility.
The ProLab - 170 Years set is a limited edition of 170, combining both watches into a single package. This number symbolizes the combined years of Laco and Circula's existence. The sets come in an aluminum case, accompanied by a gold-colored coin bearing the limited-edition number. This unique partnership between Uwe Rücker and Cornelius Huber, the respective Owners & Managing Directors of Laco and Circula, showcases the beauty of competitors coming together to celebrate their shared passion for watchmaking in Pforzheim.
For more details and to explore these incredible timepieces further, visit Laco.de or Circula.com.
And this is the part most people miss: the story behind these watches is just as captivating as their design and craftsmanship. So, what do you think? Are collaborations like these a celebration of unity or a strategic move? Feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below!
