Laco x Circula ProLab: Limited Edition Pforzheim Watches

>>>>>>>In 2026, two German watch brands with deep roots in the same city come together to tell a shared story shaped by craftsmanship, history, and quiet competition. Laco and Circula, both based in Pforzheim, have unveiled the ProLab collaboration, a limited-edition watch set that marks an important milestone for each brand while paying tribute to the city that helped define German watchmaking.

Pforzheim is often referred to as Germany’s “Golden City.” Known for centuries for jewellery, precision engineering, and watch production, it stands alongside Glashütte as one of the country’s most important horological centres. For Laco, founded in 1925, and Circula, established in 1955, Pforzheim is more than a location. It is part of their identity. In 2026, Laco celebrates its 100th anniversary, while Circula marks 70 years, and the ProLab project brings these two timelines together in a meaningful way.

The Idea Behind ProLab

Rather than producing a single co-branded watch, the brands chose a more considered approach. The ProLab concept, short for Professional Laboratory, is rooted in collaboration and experimentation. It also references the PRO collections from both brands that inspired the designs. What began as an idea for one watch evolved into a two-watch set, allowing each brand to express its own character while contributing to a unified vision. The result is a matched pair of tool watches that share proportions, philosophy, and mechanical foundations, yet remain clearly Laco and clearly Circula.

Laco’s Field Watch Interpretation

The Laco watch draws from the brand’s long-standing experience with functional field and pilot watches. It features a sandblasted stainless steel case measuring 40mm in diameter, offering a balanced and versatile presence on the wrist. Despite its field-watch character, it delivers an impressive 200 metres of water resistance, underlining Laco’s focus on real-world durability.

The sand-coloured dial features subtle circular graining at the centre and a matte outer ring with Arabic numerals and a 24-hour scale.

Old Radium Super-LumiNova is applied generously to the outer ring, while thermally blued hands filled with Super-LumiNova BGW9 ensure excellent legibility in low light. The overall aesthetic is purposeful, restrained, and unmistakably tool-oriented.

Powering the watch is the Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré automatic movement, offering a 41-hour power reserve and reliable daily accuracy. It is a proven choice that aligns perfectly with the watch’s practical design philosophy.

Circula’s Type-B Flieger Approach

Circula’s contribution takes a more contemporary and technical direction. Based on the ProTrail case, the 40mm stainless steel body is treated to reach approximately 1,200 Vickers in surface hardness, significantly improving scratch resistance. At 12.3mm thick, it has a slightly more robust profile that reflects Circula’s modern, performance-focused identity.

The black dial follows a Type-B flieger layout, with large minute numerals dominating the outer ring and a clean, functional structure throughout.

Circular graining at the centre adds depth, while Super-LumiNova BGW9 on the hands, numerals, and five-minute markers ensures strong visibility in all conditions. The result is a watch that feels purposeful, modern, and confidently engineered.

Like its Laco counterpart, the Circula watch is powered by the Sellita SW200-1 Elaboré movement, reinforcing the shared foundation of the ProLab collaboration.

Both watches feature solid case backs engraved with a stylised map of Pforzheim, highlighting the locations associated with each brand.

Dual branding appears on both dials, with the primary brand name positioned prominently, reinforcing the idea of equality rather than dominance. These shared details tie the two watches together visually and conceptually.

A Limited Set With Meaning

The ProLab watches are not available individually. They are sold exclusively as a paired set, limited to 170 examples. This number reflects the combined anniversaries of the two brands, with 100 years of Laco and 70 years of Circula. Each set is delivered in an aluminium presentation case and includes a commemorative coin engraved with the individual edition number.

More than a product release, the ProLab project represents a philosophy. In an industry often driven by competition, Laco and Circula demonstrate that collaboration can create something more meaningful. Two independent brands, shaped by the same city and traditions, have chosen to honour their shared heritage while maintaining their individual identities.

The Laco x Circula ProLab set stands as a thoughtful celebration of German watchmaking, Pforzheim’s enduring legacy, and the value of cooperation in modern horology.