Grail-Tier Automotive History — 1950s Laco-Sport "Volkswagen 100,000 km" Official Award Watch
Up for sale is an incredibly rare, historically significant piece of West German industrial heritage: an official Laco-Sport Volkswagen Award wristwatch dating back to the 1950s.
During the 1950s, the Volkswagen corporate office partnered with elite German watchmakers like Laco and Mauthe to reward dedicated owners of the legendary VW Beetle (Type 1) who successfully hit the milestone of 100,000 kilometers without a single major engine overhaul. This watch stands as a certified, prestigious token from that famous era of automotive reliability.
Key Highlights for Serious Collectors:
Official VW Award Engraving: The heavy-duty stainless steel screw-down case back features a deep, crisp factory engraving of the iconic VW logo, a laurel wreath, the inscription "100.000 KILOMETER", and the official issue serial number 168591
Highly Desirable Black Dial: Features the most sought-after configuration — a flawless glossy black field-style dial with elegant golden Roman numerals (III, VI, IX, XII) and original luminous syringe hands.
In-House Durowe 441 Caliber: Powered by the genuine manual-wind Laco / Durowe Caliber 441 movement, fully signed "LACO SEVENTEEN 17 JEWELS" and equipped with the historic Durowe-Discon-Choc protection.
Wartime-Grade Protection: Fully marked Wasserdicht (Waterproof), Bruchsicher (Shock-resistant), and Antimagnetic on the dial.
Technical Specifications:
Brand: Laco-Sport (Official Volkswagen Presentation Piece)
Country of Origin: West Germany (Pforzheim)
Era: 1950s
Movement: In-House Mechanical Manual Winding, Durowe Cal. 441 (17 Jewels)
Case Size: ~32.5mm (excluding the winding crown)
Case Back: Screw-down Stainless Steel with full VW 100K Km branding and serial number.
Condition:
The watch is in remarkable, untouched vintage condition with a stunning museum-grade look. The historic VW case back engraving remains exceptionally deep, sharp, and perfectly legible. The gold-plated case exhibits typical light edge wear that underscores its authenticity. The mechanical in-house movement is clean, free of corrosion, and is currently running and keeping time.
Please closely inspect all high-resolution images, as they represent the physical condition and remarkable provenance of this rare collectible.
Condition & Media: Sold exactly as shown. Review all pictures carefully; they form an integral part of the description and represent cosmetic condition.
⚠️ CRITICAL MOVEMENTS GUIDE & BUYER AGREEMENT:
⚙️ MANUAL WINDING: NO BATTERY. Powered by mainspring. Wind crown clockwise (15-20 turns) until you feel natural resistance. Do not force it. Rewind every 24-36h.
🔄 AUTOMATIC WATCHES: NO BATTERY. Powered by wrist movement. Arrives stopped due to transit. Shake gently for 30-60 seconds to start, then wear regularly.
🔋 QUARTZ WATCHES: Powered by battery. Fresh battery installed before shipping.
⏱️ VINTAGE ACCURACY & SERVICE: This is a 30-90 year old historic collectible, NOT modern quartz. Daily variance up to +/- 3 to 5 minutes is standard and expected. All timepieces are professionally inspected, tested, and serviced when necessary before listing. However, due to their antique nature, future routine maintenance or fine calibration over time remains the buyer's responsibility. Vintage watches have ZERO water resistance; keep away from moisture.
🚫 FRAUD PROTECTION: False returns (e.g. "defective" due to normal vintage variance or lack of battery) will be immediately reported to eBay as policy abuse.
💼 Selling Policy: All sales final. Ask questions BEFORE bidding/offering. If an item arrives damaged, contact us immediately to arrange a return.
✈️ Shipping & Customs Terms:
• Origin: Shipped from Ukraine via registered AirMail with tracking. Despite the war, our postal system works reliably and securely.
• Delivery: Due to wartime logistics and customs, shipping may take longer. We deeply appreciate your patience and support.
• Duties: Import taxes and fees are the sole responsibility of the buyer.
✉️ Customer Care: We strive for a 5-star experience. If any issues arise, contact us directly via eBay messages before leaving feedback. We resolve all concerns professionally.