Nomos Glashütte, created in 1990 by Roland Schwertner, is Germany’s biggest producer of mechanical watches, but it’s the brand’s smart system that attracts the most interest. The brand’s timepieces are known for their Bauhaus-inspired style and are streamlined, masterfully crafted, and deliver some of the right prices in the industry.
Although the company does make some more complicated items, the dress timepieces are simply the greatest quality on the planet. Nomos’ brand values are embodied in these clean lines, which combine high-quality materials with minimalist, timeless elegance. Furthermore, each one includes an in-house-developed and manufactured mechanical movement. Nomos Glashütte, Germany’s leading manufacturer of mechanical watches, produces a lot of vintage pieces. Let’s take a closer look at the best-selling titles in the industry.
- Club Campus Neomatik 767
It has a relaxed 37 mm diameter and is placed in a slim case, with rose gold hands set against a white silver-plated face that makes it very attractive. But, unlike some of the other Nomos watches, it will not go for extreme simplicity, with an eclectic combination of Roman and Arabic numbers on the dial. Alternatively, go for a splash of color with the ever-popular midnight blue ref 767.
- Minimatik 1203
The Minimatik, with a 35.5 mm diameter and a size that ideally fits both men’s and women’s wrists, rounds out the most common selections. The white-faced ref 1203 pays homage to typical Nomos Glashütte timepieces. It has a down-to-earth vibe and a classic white face. The midnight blue dial of the ref 1205 adds a splash of color. The dial features a neon orange seconds hand and eye-catching green markers. You can dress up any watch by wearing it on a stylish leather strap. You’ve got a fantastic dress-casual item that can be worn anywhere from the workplace to casual trips.
- Tangente Sport Neomatik 580
This timepiece measures a whopping 42 mm in diameter. Back-to-basics models with midnight black and standard white dials, however, round out the scale. It’s also rugged, with a stainless steel bracelet and sapphire crystal that can withstand 1,000 feet of water.
- Tetra 27 Duo 405
The Tetra 27 pair opts for a square case rather than the traditional round case. And with only hour and minute hands on the no-nonsense face, the Bauhaus minimalism gets even more stripped-down, hence the term “duo.” Square instances, in general, exude sophistication, as the Panthère de Cartier so eloquently demonstrated all those decades ago. With slender gleaming gold paws, the Tetra 27 creates an additional dash of elegance. The 33 mm and 27 mm models are common for those finding an elegant look and are ideal for slim wrists.
- Tangente Neomatik Midnight Blue 177
The self-winding Neomatik, a worthy successor, premiered at Baselworld 2015. It holds the distinction of becoming the company’s first automatic timepiece. Neomatiks scream for a little more focus with jumps of exquisite beauty while remaining relaxed and rooted in streamlined form. The Midnight Blue version is a huge hit, and it’s easy to see why. The deep blue dial is a head-turner in and of itself. A splash of neon orange on the second hand adds to the allure. Despite this, the round case and slim design elements keep the information understated and true to the Nomos credo of understated elegance. It suits both men’s and women’s wrists thanks to its 35 mm diameter.
- Tangente 33 151
This is a 33 mm diameter watch, as you’ve inferred from the title. And it’s tiny by most watch standards, so it’s better suited to ladies’ wrists. However, for gentlemen who just want to wear a watch with a smaller budget, it is traditionally sufficient. With tempered blue hands that stand out against a white dial, the Tangente 33 ref122 is a common option. It’s finished with a comfortable beige velour leather strap that brings a touch of class.
- Ludwig 201
Ludwig is a vintage timepiece, but we mean it as a positive comment. This is an enthusiast’s timepiece: stylish, conventional, and elegant. The routine of winding this wristwatch every morning before appreciating the slender hands, traditional railroad minute markers, and roman numerals would delight genuine watch enthusiasts. Ludwig is the slimmest of all Nomos watches, with a case diameter of just 35 mm.
- Orion 301
Because of its uncluttered, clean style, Orion is the current fave of many of the creators at Nomos Glashütte. Its dial is stripped down to the basics, evoking the strongest of the Deutscher Werkbund and Bauhaus movements. Against a white silver-plated dial, this self-winding edition has contrasting blue paws and gold indices.
- Tangente 101
The Tangente design, more than any other, represents what Nomos watches are all about: the now-famous typography, which is both traditional and sophisticated, is a marvel of complexity. A white silver-plated dial with five numerals in Bauhaus-style font is surrounded by tempered blue hands. Tangente is a subtle but assured style that is both classic and quick to read.
- Ahoi Atlantik 561
The Ahoi series was Nomos’ first high 200-meter water-resistance watch range built primarily for sports watches. It was first launched in 2013 and revised in 2017 with smaller case size and improved Neomatik movement. The Ahoi keeps many of the signature Nomos design elements but introduces crown guards as a veiled reference to the Ahoi line’s increased robustness. The Nomos Ahoi comes in two case sizes: 36.3 mm and 40.3 mm with no date. Both sizes come in a variety of color combinations of Atlantik, white silver, signal blue, signal red. Dial diameters can be misleading with these watches, as their characteristic long lugs cause them to wear bigger than intended.
In A Nutshell
Tangente models are by far the most common of all Nomos Glashütte variants, and they’re likely the ones you’ve already seen most because they’ve been in development for over 25 years. This is the watch that best represents the brand’s nature, with no-nonsense models that first appeared in the 1990s, incorporating sleek cases and monochromatic dials that harken back to 1920s watch styles. The secret to satisfying the public is flexibility, which Nomos Glashütte has perfected with its finest watches. You can wear one of their vintage pieces almost anywhere if you pick one up at The Watch Company.
