NOMOS 2018: Special Edition Bauhaus and the Top 5 Models of the Year

When the brand NOMOS Glashütte was registered in 1990, nobody realised just how successful the new company would become. Today, the company’s international renown is immense and the Tangente is known all over the world as the “Bauhaus watch”. As early as 2005, NOMOS Glashütte introduced the first automatic calibre to be designed and built entirely in-house. Since then, hand-wound calibres are also manufactured in-house.

The company’s success story can be traced back to a combination of clever, fresh marketing and excellent product quality that fully deserves the “Made in Germany” label that is held in high regard all over the world. NOMOS is quite unlike any of the traditional Glashütte-based watch manufacturers. The brand image is fresh and unconventional while the timepieces epitomize straightforward and objective design.

Despite the company’s ongoing success, the creative drive at NOMOS is as strong as ever. Not only are the calibres being continually improved, but the collection is also constantly growing. Against this backdrop, the NOMOS Autobahn was launched at this year’s Baselworld. And just a few days ago, in celebration of 100 years of Bauhaus, NOMOS introduced three sets of three brand new special edition Tangente models.

In 2019, the Bauhaus movement will be celebrating its 100th anniversary. To mark the occasion, the Glashütte-based watch manufacturer has taken the opportunity to present a special edition of its popular Tangente model. The dial of the watch features a parchment colour, inspired by sketch paper used by Bauhaus artists.  A red, blue or yellow coloured ring runs along the minute marker, based on the colour theory of the Bauhaus school. In contrast to the classic Tangente model, the hands are kept in a plain black. The limited models will be available in three different sizes – 33, 35 and 38 millimetres in diameter.

Despite the colourful design, NOMOS has once again managed to create a timeless aesthetic. Inside the watches, the 2.6-millimetre in-house produced Alpha calibre works its magic. Each of the three special edition models is limited to 100 pieces and are € 100 cheaper than the classic Tangente.

#1) NOMOS Tangente

No other model embodies the Glashütte manufacturer as the Tangente does. If you’re considering buying this NOMOS icon, you’ll be making the right choice - only very few other watches adhere to the motto “form follows function” like the Tangente. Even though the model has been around for just 25 years, it can really hold its own next to great timepiece legends such as the Rolex Submariner or the Omega Speedmaster.

#2) NOMOS Orion

With all the attention that Tangente, Ahoi and the others get, the Orion ends up being unjustly forgotten. This watch is the simplest model from the NOMOS Glashütte brand and is my personal favourite – my insider tip. It’s worth taking a look at the various versions in the Orion collection; for example, the Orion White cannot be beaten when it comes to simplicity and perfection while the Orion Neomatik 41 Date features a sleek date window at the three o’clock position (not to mention: it comes equipped with the new NOMOS in-house built Neomatik automatic calibre DUW 6101).

#3) NOMOS Ahoi

With the launch of the Ahoi in 2013, NOMOS established that they can also perfect sports watches. This model pulls off a tricky balancing act – although it is waterproof up to 20 bar, features a crown guard and comes with a waterproof textile strap, its close relationship to the classic Tangente is immediately obvious.  Basically, the Ahoi is a diving watch that is fully suitable for the office, allowing you to go straight from the meeting room to the beach at the end of the working day.

#4) NOMOS Club

The Club collection really became popular with the launch of the Campus series. However, the standard Club also has a lot to offer. All Club models feature an elegant, slightly larger case. New to the campus series is the so-called California dial which has both Arabic and Roman numerals. The Club is relatively young and makes an ideal, tasteful introduction to the world of high-quality wristwatches.

#5) NOMOS Ludwig

The elegant aesthetic of the NOMOS Ludwig makes this model the perfect dress watch. Not only do the Roman numerals provide a higher degree of elegance,  the lugs and the case, in particular, are softer and more refined, making the slim bezel appear rounder and more sophisticated.