2.1233 LANCO ‘GERMAN PATTERN PILOT MILITARY’ XL 40mm, SWISS 1940s

A bold and charismatic early pilot-type LANCO wristwatch from the 1940s, this piece captures the unmistakable “German pattern” aviator look: large case, black dial, luminous Arabic numerals, and a rotating timing bezel pointer for elapsed-time reading. It is not a B-Uhr navigation chronometer, but rather a more wearable and practical pilot watch of the period – still oversized by contemporary standards and full of military character.

This example has a beautiful tropical black dial with warm vintage tone, strong period typography, and a distinctive red-tipped center seconds hand. The luminous material has been professionally replaced with safe compound and aged to preserve the original visual character. The watch is fitted with a hand-made military style genuine leather strap, ready to wear. Aged tropical dial surface is part of the watch’s character and originality.

Specifications

• Brand: LANCO
• Model / style: “German Pattern Pilot Military” (early aviator / flieger type)
• Origin: Swiss, 1940s
• Movement: LANCO calibre 1214, manual wind, 15 jewels (signed on dial / movement)
• Case: Chrome-plated case
• Caseback: Stainless steel, marked “Fond Acier Inoxydable / Swiss Made”
• Bezel system: Front rotating inner timing bezel with luminous pointer, operated by coin-edge front bezel rim
• Dial: Tropical black dial, military-style Arabic numerals
• Lume: Luminous numerals and hands (radioactive lume replaced with safe vintage-look compound)
• Hands: Luminous syringe-style hands with central seconds, red arrow tip
• Crystal: Mineral domed glass
• Strap: Hand-made 21mm width military style genuine leather strap
• Functions: Hours, minutes, central seconds, elapsed-time indication via rotating luminous pointer bezel

About Early WW2 Pilot / Flieger Watches (Why They Were Large)

Early aviation wristwatches from the 1930s–1940s were typically much larger than ordinary civilian wristwatches because they were designed for fast legibility in demanding conditions: open cockpits, gloves, vibration, low light, and quick timing checks. Large dials with luminous numerals, bold hands, and timing bezels or movable markers made reading time and measuring short intervals easier at a glance.

The “German pattern” style – big black dial, luminous Arabic numerals, and rotating timing arrangement – appears across various brands and case makers of the era, and similar LANCO examples are often seen in the 40-41 mm range, which was exceptionally large for the period (when many civilian watches were still ~30-34 mm). Comparable period-style examples are also have same timing bezel features.

Servicing and Warranty

• Fully serviced with disassembly in our Bristol shop
• Mechanics in full working order
• 12-month movement warranty
• Warranty Terms and Conditions
• No water resistance warranty