The Best Authentic WW2 Pilot Watch? - Stowa Flieger Classic Automatic- Review & Brand Overview

Today I review a WW2 legend from the highly overlooked but well respected Stowa company from the black forest of Germany.
This deceptively simply classic boasts some very unique features that make it punch well above it's price. With unrivalled quality and craftsmanship, this German made icon is just the tip of the iceberg of what this amazing brand has to offer. For more details, check out the following link...

[christiankessler]

The name derives from "STO, " for Storz and "WA, " for Walter (Founder Walter Storz). Walter is usually pronounced as a "Va" sound and the S would have the "Sh" sound. Since the o in Stowa has no umlaut, it would be pronounced as a normal "Oh" sound. So I think "Shtova" would be accurate indeed.

[Eleysia]

Thank you for the review TGV! You really did my watch justice. I hope everyone enjoyed the review. Looking forward to receiving it back :) Best Regards my friend, Steve

[tomwright]

I have this watch and travelled to the factory to collect it. They were amazing and I adore this timepiece.

[gtullymusic]

Your intros are amazing. Love the camera angles of the wristwatches.

[theredbar-cross]

Fl23883 is not the reference number. It's a Luftwaffe proofmarking, certifying the timepiece for service.

[liondemacedoandreassa]

"S" in German sounds like "X" and "W" in German sounds like "V", so the right pronounce is "SCHTOVA"

[bruh_oly]

I love this video . I come back and back to it time and time again year after year and really gives me an essence of that time.

[farshidrahmani]

I bought a flieger style watch two weeks ago and it hasn't left my wrist since.
I haven't even wore a Seiko on Saturday. What's wrong with me?!

[vampolascott]

I just got my Stowa Flieger Klassik 40 today. It suits me down to the bone. I'm a technically minded man that reads a lot of military history, so this watch really spoke to me. Firstly, it's completely utilitarian (what you call a "tool watch"). But it's also of superb quality and has those 1930's stylistic touches such as the onion crown and beautiful blued hands. The brown rivetted strap is both masculine and historically correct. I would recommend the Flieger to anyone looking for historicity and top notch German quality. For what you're getting, the price is a bargain, and the service and options available by ordering straight from the factory really set Stowa apart from the competition. I ordered the date complication with the cool engraved rotor.

[azhawk]

Good video Tristano. This is a very cool Fleiger watch. I have the 42mm Laco Memmingen, which is a hand wound mechanical. It is another beautiful German flight watch. The Germans really make some outstanding time pieces.

[Tobi-cbvb]

I would love to see a duel between Stowa and Laco, I think the Laco watches are really underrated. I don't think you can get any closer to the original than with a Laco.
Great video.
Greetings from Germany.

[scottyh]

I bought one of these recently on ebay, wonderful quality and style from Stowa. This review helped me to decide to go ahead and make the purchase. They show up quite often on ebay for $800-900 pre-owned. They are $1100 new. The standard strap that they include is very nice.

[hdmedia]

5:44 "Echt Leder" means "Genuine Leather" in german ;)

[horseshoeshandgrenades]

I know a bunch of guys comment on this but your introductions to your videos are outstanding!! Shows the time and dedication you put into your videos. Excellent work and reviews

[ManoloVintage]

I just bought my first automatic watch -Fortis Flieger. It is the smallest watch I've ever owned 34cm A mid century size but I'm I love it. I dressed it up with a padded leather pilot style strap. It feels like I have a tiny tank on my wrist. You give the best reviews👍

[Shadowwalker]

The Intro was IL-2 Cliffs of Dover, great WW2 Flight Simulator

[JustinMiles]

The intros just keep getting better and better! Stowa makes quality pieces and don't charge a fortune.

[Zyte]

Hey TGV,

As a long time fan of both you and Stowa it is really nice to see you reviewing a flieger of this brand. I've had some Stowa's over the years and i have never been disappointed. Even with the increased prices i still think Stowa offers a lot of value for money. Not to mention their customer service which is one of the best i've ever experienced.

My Stowa Seatime is one of my keepers: a true tool diver with lovely curves. Having 4 different bezels it is a joy switching looks. Would love to see you review a Prodiver, or maybe one of their modern fliegers (TO1, TO2).

Regards from The Netherlands!

[vampolascott]

After owning my Stowa Flieger for over a year now, it's my most accurate mechanical watch. It gains 2 seconds per day. It's a well made watch that's only improved with daily wear. I'm a nurse supervisor at a very large veteran's facility and I walk 3 to 6 miles every night, so there are no concerns that I'm too sedentary for an automatic movement! If you're interested in the historical military aspect and value readability, I think it's worth the $1000 easily. The C3 Luminova dial is the brightest I own also. It's the perfect nursing watch for getting vital signs in a dark room at night. For me the Stowa Flieger has proved it's stuff.

[officialMainspring]

I know this review is 3 years old but I just ordered me a Stowa flieger. can't not wait!