Introducing Stowa Unveils the Flieger Original

Stowa is one of the oldest and most renowned German watch manufacturers, known for producing pilot watches in an almost unchanged original design since 1940. To celebrate this heritage, Stowa introduces a new highlight in its collection: the Flieger Original. This timepiece draws inspiration from robust pilot watches, featuring a matte case and dial, a signature choice for practical timepieces.

"Flieger" is the German word for "flier," making it not a direct translation of "pilot." Flieger watches trace their origins to the 1930s, when they were developed for German military aviators. These timepieces were known as B-Uhr watches, short for Beobachtungs-Uhren, meaning "observation watches." The first B-Uhr watches were government property rather than personal items for Luftwaffe pilots and were built to strict specifications. Their cases were oversized at 55mm in diameter to accommodate movements originally designed for pocket watches. 

These movements incorporated the crucial hacking seconds function and were protected from magnetism by soft iron inner cages, ensuring reliable performance in an aircraft cockpit. The dials prioritized legibility, featuring large white Arabic numerals on a black background, along with flame-blued, luminous-treated sword hands. Bulbous "onion" crowns allowed easy operation even while wearing thick flight gloves, and the watches were secured to sturdy leather straps with rivets, designed to be worn over flight gear.

One of the most famous movements in this type of aviation watch was the Unitas 6498-1, known for its robustness. Stowa has utilized this movement as the foundation for its newly developed in-house caliber, the M1, which has been refined to fit within a wristwatch-sized case.

The Flieger Original comes in a 42mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 13.50mm. The entire case features an extra matte finish achieved through bead blasting. It is protected by sapphire crystal on both sides and offers a water resistance of 100 meters.

The black dial, also in a matte finish, showcases a highly legible and straightforward design. Luminous Arabic numerals ensure readability, while the iconic triangle at 12 o’clock remains a focal point. The heat-blued hands are coated with Super-LumiNova C3, enhancing visibility in low-light conditions.

The 2025 Flieger Original is powered by the newly developed STOWA-M1 manufacture movement. Based on the tried-and-tested Unitas 6498-1, it features a central seconds conversion. The movement is beautifully decorated, with newly designed bridges adorned with Côtes de Genève patterns and chamfered edges. The Caliber M1 operates at a frequency of 18,800 vph (2.5 Hz) and offers a power reserve of 46 hours.

Additionally, the movement includes a stop-seconds function for precise time-setting. The wheels feature a sunburst finish, while the bridge screws are thermally blued. Gold engravings further enhance the movement’s aesthetic appeal.

The Stowa Flieger Original is available with three different strap options: two riveted leather straps in brown or black and a steel Milanese bracelet. The watch is priced at EUR 2,990, approximately equivalent to 11,895 AED.

For more information, visit Stowa official website.