By Wesley Wright
The classic pilot GMT, refined and reduced
When I moved to Vancouver, one of my first stops was Roldorf & Co to see a Laco in person. Until that point, I had only seen pictures online and watched YouTube videos about fit and finish. Upon getting one on wrist, I could truly appreciate the craftsmanship and care that goes into every release from them. My only complaint was with the sizing of some of the models I tried on. That’s where the Frankfurt 40 steps in.
Laco is a brand that really does well with its legacy releases, through models like the pilot original. This, however, does not mean they are only dedicated to legacy pieces, as we saw in 2020 with the release of the 43mm version of the Frankfurt. The Frankfurt added a burst of modernity to the brand, while not compromising its classical, grounded styling. This new release of the Frankfurt 40 only adds to this lineup, making a more refined compact version of an already unique GMT.
Key Features of the Laco Frankfurt 40 GMT
Compact Case, Full Character
The Frankfurt 40 is a welcome addition to the lineup, specifically for those in the same group as me with a “less than average” sized wrist. It feels as though Laco took the original formula and shrunk it–with nothing important lost. The case is still a dark bead-blasted steel which has the original intention of not catching reflections, a huge consideration of the pilot watch segment. It also features the same colour offerings in Schwarz (black dial) and Greu (grey dial), with the same two-toned internal rotating bezel as its older brother. The legibility of the dial is also carried over from the 43mm, with the indices done in a pale green Super-LumiNova, and the GMT hand/24 hour marker done in bright orange; making for a very contrasted and interesting dial.
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Keeping the Frankfurt DNA
One thing I really enjoy about the Frankfurt 40 is that there is no loss on the small details, such as the seconds hand having the outline of a plane on the back, or retaining the Laco “L” on the dual crowns. I am also glad to see the engraved caseback with a plane flying across the globe. When reducing case sizes, brands often have to think of what they have to take out or cut away, but with the Frankfurt 40 they seem to have kept everything as faithful to the original as possible.
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Specs Without Sacrifice
The reduction in case size also proved to be a non-issue for the technical side. The beating heart of this 40mm beauty is still the Laco 330 that is used in the 43mm, meaning no compromise when choosing between the two. The water resistance also remains the same at 200M or 20ATM via the two screw-down crowns. This is a very impressive feat, that lends itself to the Frankfurt’s tool watch heritage.
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Final thoughts
I am very impressed with this addition from Laco. The versatility of having a compressed version of a GMT tool watch is a very attractive proposition and is very hard to execute correctly. From maintaining the same movement and water resistance to holding the same design elements, the Frankfurt 40 will make an excellent addition to the Laco lineup and give us more opportunities to get these on wrist to enjoy. While we have not had this watch in for review yet, I am sure it will be just as refined and unique as the rest of the brand’s offerings are.
Availability & Pricing
The Frankfurt 40 is available from the brand website today, July 9th. Pricing is set at $2,200 USD (approx. $3123 CAD, excludes VAT and shipping). This is also the base price for the 43mm, meaning there is no additional cost to having the larger or smaller models.
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About the Author
Based in Vancouver, BC, Wesley shares his passion for watches, photography, and EDC through his Instagram, @wesandwatches. With a strong interest for innovation within horology, he dives deep into brands with compelling stories, thoughtful design, and standout personalities. Beyond watches, Wesley keeps a close eye on men’s fashion and is an avid automotive enthusiast.
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