Laco B-Uhr German Luftwaffe WW2 (FL23883) - How to get valued?

Spit · 16 May 2020 at 15:26

Anyone got experience on getting WW2 stuff valued?

The watch is part of my partners fathers collection of WW2 bits he brought back after the war so we know its genuine. I have not tried to get it working or open it up but it seems in good condition apart from the lugs on one end have been removed for some reason. From research online it looks like its definitely worth a bit but don't know where to start with getting it properly looked at by an expert and also to see if it works.

It is a massive watch, here are some pics:

Sankari · 16 May 2020 at 15:35

(Source).

Efour · 16 May 2020 at 15:39

Im no expert obviously but its trashed, having half of the strap mounts cut off, and no straps....
Yes it is very cool but i wouldnt think it will sell for even half of the good examples.

Spit · 16 May 2020 at 15:49

Yes disappointing that the lugs have been cut off. Looks like someone tried to turn it into a pocket watch.

Nitefly · 16 May 2020 at 16:23

Goodness, imagine an alternative German version of Pulp Fiction :eek:

Edrof · 16 May 2020 at 20:13

There are plenty of militaria dealers in the Uk and online - send the same email to five of them and compare their responses, averaging them for a value. Auction houses will value your item for free but they are often not very well run despite the suits and ties and they don't know the real ins and outs of niche areas. A word of warning, some dealers will lie to you and tell you an item is rubbish so they can buy it cheaply off you.

Spit · 16 May 2020 at 20:20

Edrof said:
There are plenty of militaria dealers in the Uk and online - send the same email to five of them and compare their responses, averaging them for a value. Auction houses will value your item for free but they are often not very well run despite the suits and ties and they don't know the real ins and outs of niche areas. A word of warning, some dealers will lie to you and tell you an item is rubbish so they can buy it cheaply off you.

Thanks. I will do some research on dealers and send a few emails.

Edrof · 17 May 2020 at 12:15

Spit said:
Thanks. I will do some research on dealers and send a few emails.

You're welcome and best of luck

Jean-F · 17 May 2020 at 12:45

I sent the photo, and a brief summation of your query to my son, a German citizen now, who lives in Germany and dabbles in militaria, he sent this;

Without knowing if it works or if it’s been used for spares to fix other watches it’s only a broken, incomplete display piece.

You’d probably have to buy a second one, made by the same company during the same period to make one decent watch from both.

As for value he should try a watchmaker, antique shop or look online. There are plenty of original ones in good working order online but a watchmaker will probably cost at least £70 per hour plus the time he needs looking for spare parts and the cost of those spare parts to get it going again, assuming it doesn’t work,
Tony X

Spit · 17 May 2020 at 13:15

Jean-F said:
I sent the photo, and a brief summation of your query to my son, a German citizen now, who lives in Germany and dabbles in militaria, he sent this;

Without knowing if it works or if it’s been used for spares to fix other watches it’s only a broken, incomplete display piece.

You’d probably have to buy a second one, made by the same company during the same period to make one decent watch from both.

As for value he should try a watchmaker, antique shop or look online. There are plenty of original ones in good working order online but a watchmaker will probably cost at least £70 per hour plus the time he needs looking for spare parts and the cost of those spare parts to get it going again, assuming it doesn’t work,
Tony X

Thats amazing, thank you. I really want to find a watchmaker who can take a look as I have not tried to wind it just in case. I don't think it has been modified as its lived in a box for about 70 years with some photos, medals, RAF hat etc.

I sent some photos to one auction house and they came back quickly and said £2.5-£3k from the photos but they would want to see it.

ubersonic · 17 May 2020 at 15:23

Efour said:
Im no expert obviously but its trashed, having half of the strap mounts cut off, and no straps....

You pretty much never find them with intact 80 year old leather straps, even that $3k one linked above has had them replaced.

Jean-F · 17 May 2020 at 23:12

Spit said:
Thats amazing, thank you. I really want to find a watchmaker who can take a look as I have not tried to wind it just in case. I don't think it has been modified as its lived in a box for about 70 years with some photos, medals, RAF hat etc.

I sent some photos to one auction house and they came back quickly and said £2.5-£3k from the photos but they would want to see it.

Please don’t laugh Spit, but my outrageous son in Germany WhatsApped me and said, “If that guy doesn’t to screw around with auction houses, I’ll take a chance and give him £25-£30 for it, you pay him dad, and I’ll straighten you out as soon as the Eurotunnel reopens.”

Spit · 18 May 2020 at 09:04

Jean-F said:
Please don’t laugh Spit, but my outrageous son in Germany WhatsApped me and said, “If that guy doesn’t to screw around with auction houses, I’ll take a chance and give him £25-£30 for it, you pay him dad, and I’ll straighten you out as soon as the Eurotunnel reopens.”

Haha, don't think the missus will go for that!