German watchmaking, particularly in the realm of robust, military-inspired timepieces, offers a compelling blend of functionality, style, and value. Among the esteemed German brands, Laco has consistently garnered recognition for its ability to deliver on these fronts. While perhaps less universally recognized than their iconic flieger (aviator) watches or general-purpose adventure models, Laco’s modern "Squad Watches," exemplified by the Atacama line, represent a particularly interesting segment of their offerings. Laco broadly categorizes these Squad Watches, including the Atacama, as "utility" models designed for "emergency forces, police, military, and those who love outdoor activities." This positioning strongly suggests a primary target audience of military personnel, alongside individuals who appreciate the inherent practicality and aesthetic of such timepieces. The core philosophy behind Laco’s military watches, and by extension the Atacama, centers on unparalleled legibility under all conditions. This commitment translates into watches engineered for precise and effortless time-telling, coupled with the durability to withstand diverse operational environments and environmental challenges.
Design Philosophy: Legibility as the Primary Imperative
At the heart of Laco’s design philosophy for its military-inspired watches lies an unwavering focus on legibility. In high-stakes situations, whether on the battlefield or during demanding outdoor pursuits, the ability to quickly and accurately ascertain the time is not merely a convenience but a critical operational requirement. The Laco Atacama.3 embodies this principle through a carefully considered design that prioritizes clarity above all else. While many watches on the market claim similar functional attributes, the Atacama distinguishes itself through its unique aesthetic and wearer experience. It offers a comfortable, pleasant wearing experience, exceptional readability, and a bold yet approachable presence on the wrist. This successful integration of a large dial within a wearable and durable package is a testament to thoughtful engineering.
Case Construction and Ergonomic Innovations
The Laco Atacama.3 features a substantial 46mm wide steel case. However, this dimension alone does not fully convey its wearability. Unlike some 46mm watches that can feel unwieldy on smaller to medium wrists, the Atacama’s case is ingeniously shaped. Its "bowl-like" outward flare means that the portion of the case in direct contact with the wrist is significantly narrower than the overall diameter. This design choice is crucial for comfort.
Adding to the ergonomic sophistication is the case’s 12mm thickness, which is relatively modest for a watch of this size and capability. A key comfort-enhancing feature is the articulating metal joint situated beneath the bezel. This curved steel link, which connects the strap or bracelet to the case, plays a vital role in maximizing comfort and accommodating a wide range of wrist sizes. This unique mechanism allows the lug attachments to splay outwards to fit larger wrists while also curving inwards, ensuring that even smaller wrists can comfortably accommodate this larger timepiece. This elegant and highly effective solution not only enhances wearability but also imparts a distinctive visual profile to the Laco Atacama, setting it apart from more conventionally styled watches.
Strategic Crown Placement and Durability
Further enhancing the Atacama’s practical design is the placement of its crown at the 12 o’clock position. One of the articulating lug joints cleverly doubles as a crown protector, providing seamless access when folded back. This unconventional crown placement offers dual benefits: it maintains a clean and aesthetically pleasing case profile by removing the crown from the traditional side position, and it prevents the crown from digging into the wearer’s wrist, a common discomfort with side-mounted crowns.
The 46mm steel case is engineered for exceptional durability. It is treated with a black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating, offering superior scratch resistance. Furthermore, the watch boasts an impressive 500 meters of water resistance, facilitated by a robust screw-down crown. Protecting the dial is a flat sapphire crystal featuring an anti-reflective (AR) coating. This high-quality AR treatment minimizes glare, ensuring that the dial remains exceptionally clear and readable under virtually all lighting conditions.
Laco offers the Atacama.3 with two strap options: a matching black DLC-coated steel bracelet and a diver-style rubber strap. Both are considered solid choices, though the rubber strap might be slightly more practical for those intending to use the Atacama.3 as a daily-wear sport watch or for active pursuits. The steel bracelet, conversely, lends a more formal aesthetic, transforming the Atacama.3 into a versatile lifestyle sport watch suitable for urban environments.
Dial Design: A Masterclass in Functional Aesthetics
Laco’s understanding that larger dials inherently improve legibility is fully realized in the Atacama.3. The appeal of a substantial watch face, and the cases that house them, often stems from their superior ease and speed of reading. Laco’s conviction is that wearers of its squad watches, particularly soldiers, require the ability to read the time instantly. The Atacama.3’s dial design and overall construction are a direct manifestation of this ideal. Every element, from color choices to finishes and markers, is meticulously chosen to enhance legibility.
The dial of the Laco Atacama.3 is remarkably free of purely decorative elements, emphasizing functionality. Yet, it avoids the basic or uninspired appearance that can sometimes characterize other "field watches." This is achieved through Laco’s sophisticated multi-layer dial construction and the integration of multiple scales designed to aid the wearer. An inner scale delineates the hours, a middle scale features minute markers alongside additional SuperLumiNova-painted hour markers, and an outer scale on the bezel serves as a countdown timer. This countdown bezel function is a notable feature, as many similar watches employ bezels designed for timing events upwards, whereas a countdown bezel offers a different utility.
The highly visible, luminous orange minute hand, complemented by a matching arrow at the 60-minute marker on the unidirectional rotating bezel, introduces a welcome touch of color, serving the dual purpose of utility and visual appeal. Laco further ensures excellent dial proportions, with hands that are appropriately sized, and a symmetrical layout. Even the date window is thoughtfully positioned at the 6 o’clock marker, contributing to the dial’s balanced and pleasing appearance. This attention to detail ensures that the dial remains visually engaging and comfortable to read repeatedly. The attractive cursive font used for the "Laco" brand logo subtly softens the overall design, lending the timepiece a more timeless quality.
Movement and Customization Options
At the core of the Laco Atacama.3 resides a Swiss Made Sellita SW200 automatic movement. A somewhat uncommon feature for a purpose-built military timepiece with a 500-meter water resistance rating is the sapphire crystal display caseback, which allows for a view of the movement. The Sellita SW200 movement operates at a frequency of 4Hz and offers approximately two days of power reserve.
In characteristic Laco fashion, customers ordering an Atacama.3 are presented with a choice of four different movement execution options. For a slightly increased investment, one can opt for a more refined version of the SW200 architecture or variants with enhanced visual decoration. There is even an option to specify the sapphire crystal with or without an additional top layer of AR-coating. While Laco’s offering of such a high degree of customization is commendable, it can potentially lead to choice paralysis for some customers. The pricing information provided does not typically include these optional features.
Beyond the Atacama.3 automatic models, Laco also offers the Atacama Quartz UTC. This variant shares the same case but is equipped with a Swiss Made quartz movement featuring GMT functionality. The Atacama Quartz is priced at approximately 40% of the automatic models and represents a compelling option for a specific segment of professional users who may prioritize GMT functionality and a lower price point.
Value Proposition and Market Positioning
The Laco Atacama.3 presents a compelling value proposition, offering a distinctive and robust tool watch for a price point that is often comparable to more generic military field watches. This allows enthusiasts to acquire a timepiece with a unique case design and advanced features without incurring a significant premium. While the Atacama.3 may not possess the broad, universal appeal of Laco’s vintage-style military watches, it stands out as an exceptionally well-executed tool watch, difficult to fault on a functional basis.
For individuals who appreciate the bold utility of a large watch dial and a no-nonsense operational personality, the Laco Atacama.3 holds considerable appeal. The emphasis on ergonomics and comfort is a significant factor for wearers who prioritize a pleasant experience on the wrist. Coupled with Laco’s reputation and the reasonable pricing, the Atacama family offers substantial allure to discerning watch enthusiasts.
Pricing and Availability
The Laco Squad Watches Atacama.3, reference 861632.3, is priced at $1,350 USD when equipped with the rubber strap. For those preferring the matching DLC-coated steel bracelet, the reference 861632.3.MB is available for $1,450 USD. Further details and purchasing information can be found on the official Laco website.
