NOMOS GLASHUTTE — the standard of refined classics
A small German town on the border with the Czech Republic — Glashütte — experienced a rebirth and once again took its historical place as the center of watch production in Saxony, becoming the birthplace of the watch brand Nomos in 1990.
Revival of watch traditions
Returning to history, one cannot ignore the fact that Glashütte was already world famous in the 19th century as the center of the best masters of German watchmaking. It would not be an exaggeration to say that this small town was known as the European “Mecca” of watchmaking. But after the division of Germany into the FRG and the GDR, it sank into oblivion for several decades.
But with the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989, an opportunity arose to resume watch production in this legendary town. And already in 1990, Roland Schwertner opened a small manufactory in Glashütte, “Nomos Glashutte/SA.” and created, in collaboration with Susanne Günther, a graphic artist, a small collection of mechanical watches in a round case, simple and elegant in their form.
The release of this first collection took place in the years immediately after the fall of the Berlin Wall. And according to the founder of the brand, Schwerner, they wanted to create a perfect watch brand, as far as humanly possible, putting all the best into it. In light of this, it is interesting that, due to the precise compliance of the design of Nomos watches with the classic requirements for watch production, they were included in the book of German Standards and awarded the “Classic Design of the 20th Century” label.
The main models and collections of the Nomos brand
The “ancestor” of the brand is considered to be the “Tangente” collection, which is still the most popular and recognizable model from Nomos. After the first model “Tangente” more than a dozen different variations were created, based on the same mechanism: Tangente Date and Date Power Reserve, Orion, Ludwig, Tetra, Sport and Sport Date, Platinum and Gold and others. On the basis of the original mechanism, models of watches with automatic winding were developed, which included various improvements and additions, for example, a date mechanism or a dial of three quarters.
Tangente
This collection line is often called the “gold mine” of Nomos. It is based on the ETA 7001 caliber and consists of a rich variety of models from classic to sports. A special place in this line and the history of the brand is occupied by the model “Tangente Gangreserve”, made exclusively of precious metals, with a power reserve indicator, and azure glass is used to decorate the back of the watch.
Orion
One of the most modern models of this brand is “Orion”. This is the one preferred by most of the employees of “Nomos Glashutte/SA”. The “Orion” design differs from the “Tangente” design only in its domed crystals. The watch glass is cut from a single block, which makes it completely stress-free. Otherwise, everything is traditional: a 35-millimeter case, corresponding to the unisex style common to Nomos watches; a narrow steel bezel hoop, embracing a velvety-black or silver-light circle of the dial, with gold-plated convex hour markers; straight hands made of polished steel.
Ludwig
The “Ludwig” line is distinguished by a smoother shape of the models. Here, the markings are made in Roman numerals, and the design is characterized by softness. The back cover of the watches of the “Ludwig” line can be made of stainless steel or sapphire crystal.
The “Nomos Club” line of watches is distinguished by fresh ideas and bright design. It has a sporty style and is addressed to the younger generation more than other Nomos models.
All watches produced under the Nomos brand are water resistant to 30 m, and sports models – up to 100 m depth, due to the secure fastening of the back covers with six screws. In such watches, you can safely surf, scuba dive or sail on a yacht. And although Nomos watch models are not divided into men’s and women’s, but according to statistics, every fourth watch is purchased by a woman.
To summarize, we can say that with a Nomos watch on your wrist, you will not go unnoticed! Moreover, these watches owe their flashiness not to the abundance of diamonds and gold or pretentious design, but to the perfect geometry of their forms, maintained in the classic standards of watchmaking. The main concept that Nomos Glashutte adheres to. in the production of their watches, was aptly expressed by Uwe Arend, the head of the company: “The design of our watches and their quality should be such that you don’t want to improve anything in them”!
