Chasing Speed With The Lobner Steelracer Speed Arrow Limited Edition

When Löbner announced its return in 2023, after nearly 80 years of absence, it reignited a legacy of precision timing born in Prussian workshops in the 19th century. From the pioneering “Tertienzähler” that could measure hundredths of a second as early as 1881, to massive clocks that timed thousandths of a second, Löbner made its name recording world records on racetracks and Olympic finish lines alike. The current highlight of this rebirth is the Löbner Steelracer Speed Arrow Limited Edition. The present-day version of Löbner’s chronograph watchmaking is a tribute to times when speed records and raw courage defined motorsport, and Löbner was there to clock it.

With the new Steelracer series, that legacy is reborn in true mechanical form. The Rocketman, now a standard production model, pays homage to Fritz von Opel’s rocket car exploits with a galvanic black dial and a tachymeter scale marking the 256 km/h speed record “Raketenfritz” set in 1928. The Steelracer Ice captures another historic feat, with its crisp ice-blue dial inspired by the icy tracks of the 1932 Lake Placid Olympic bobsleigh events that Löbner timed to perfection.

In the 1930s, the brand famously timed Rudolf Caracciola’s blistering 432.7 km/h run in the Mercedes W125, a record that stood unchallenged for decades. The Speed Arrow L.E. honours this golden age, taking its name from the legendary Silberpfeile (“Silver Arrows”) that ruled Grand Prix circuits before the war. True to that heritage, the Speed Arrow L.E. makes a great first impression. Its 42.5 mm stainless steel case is micro-bead blasted for a matte, utilitarian finish that echoes the brushed aluminium bodywork of the original Silver Arrow racers. Subtle polished bevels break up the industrial look, catching the light just enough to give it a crisp edge.

The case invites exploration, the integrated lugs and sharp lines add architectural precision, while the engraved tachymeter bezel literally keeps history alive. Look closely, and you’ll find a red marker at Caracciola’s exact 432.7 km/h record speed. Löbner’s patented sliding crown protector (with the patent number engraved) keeps the crown locked at rest, preventing accidental operation. The watch is water-resistant to 100 m and looks ready for any modern adventure, a fine tool and a good product of German engineering.

The dial nods to the brand´s history of making instruments for timing records. Like the early “Tertienzähler”, the focus here is firmly on the chronograph. The central seconds hand, 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock and 12-hour counter at 6 are all given visual priority. In comparison, the actual hours and minutes are discreetly shifted to a subdial at 10 o’clock, complete with small seconds, a subtle nod to the idea that this watch is for recording time, not just reading it. The galvanised silver-grey dial matches the case perfectly, evoking the raw metal of the Silver Arrows themselves. Polished chronograph hands tipped with red add a splash of sporty drama, while Super-LumiNova on the hours and minutes hands keeps the time legible in low light.

The Löbner Steelracer Speed Arrow L.E. is powered by the robust Calibre 6223, an automatic column-wheel chronograph developed with La Joux-Perret and then modified, assembled and finely regulated in Löbner’s Pforzheim workshops. It beats at 28,800 vibrations/hour, boasts a 60-hour power reserve, and includes Löbner’s module for the off-centred time display. Flip it over and the sapphire caseback reveals the decorated movement and custom rotor, a reminder of Löbner’s dedication to function and finesse.

The model comes with a micro-bead blasted stainless steel bracelet, mirroring the case’s finish, and is secured with a sturdy butterfly clasp and safety pushers. It’s sleek yet solid, and hugs the wrist comfortably, giving this 42.5 mm sports chronograph the perfect balance of old-school engineering and contemporary design. A limited edition of 50, it is priced at EUR 14,800 or CHF 14,200.

For more details, please visit Lbnr.com.