NOMOS was founded in 1990 in Glashütte, the small Saxon town that is the center of German watchmaking. It is known for two things: clean, Bauhaus-influenced design, and making its own movements at prices where almost every other brand buys them in. We have 760 NOMOS watches in stock, from $660.
The models
| Model | Character | In our stock |
|---|---|---|
| Tangente | The original: flat, angular case, typographic numerals. The NOMOS most people picture. | 169 from $1,055 |
| Club | Rounder, sturdier and sportier; the Club Campus is the entry point to the brand. | 219 from $950 |
| Ludwig | Roman numerals and a finer, more classical look. | 74 from $1,030 |
| Ahoi | The swimmer's NOMOS: 200 m of water resistance, crown guard, textile strap. | 57 from $2,195 |
The range also includes the domed Orion, the square Tetra and the more urban Metro.
The movements
Every NOMOS has a movement made in its own workshops in Glashütte.
- Alpha: the hand-wound calibre that powers the classic Tangente, Ludwig and Orion. Winding it each morning takes a few seconds.
- DUW 3001 ("neomatik"): an automatic only 3.2 mm thick, which lets NOMOS make automatic watches as slim as its hand-wound ones.
- DUW 6101: the neomatik with a large date at the edge of the dial that can be set quickly in both directions.
Since 2014 NOMOS has made its own escapement, the "Swing System". That is the part of a watch most brands, including expensive ones, buy from a supplier. Movements are decorated in the Glashütte tradition, with a three-quarter plate, ribbing and blued screws, and most models can be ordered with a sapphire back to show it.
Sizes
NOMOS watches look larger than their diameter because the dial reaches almost to the edge and the lugs are long. A 35 mm Tangente wears like a 37 mm watch from another brand, and the 38 mm versions suit most men's wrists. Check the lug-to-lug length if you have a small wrist, and see how to choose your watch size.
Hand-wound or automatic?
The hand-wound watches are thinner, cheaper and closer to the original idea. The neomatik automatics are more convenient if you will not wear the watch every day. Our guide to automatic vs quartz explains how mechanical movements differ.
Who it is for
NOMOS suits someone who wants a dress or everyday watch with real watchmaking inside, and who prefers quiet design to a famous logo. It is also one of the best choices for a first luxury watch.
Shop all NOMOS Glashütte watches.
Frequently asked questions
Is NOMOS a luxury watch brand?
Yes, at the accessible end. It makes its own movements in Glashütte and holds the protected "Glashütte" designation, which requires at least half of a movement's value to be created in the town.
Are NOMOS movements in-house?
Yes. All current NOMOS watches use calibres designed and built by NOMOS, including its own escapement.
Which NOMOS should I buy first?
The Tangente if you want the classic, or the Club Campus if you want something sportier at a lower price.
Are NOMOS watches water resistant?
Most dress models are rated to 30 or 50 m, enough for rain and hand-washing. The Ahoi and some Club and Tangente Sport models are rated to 200 m or more.
