Horological Meandering

Once more there is a lovely surprise from Glashütte in Saxony, the Nomos Minimatik. 

It represents an entirely new chapter for Nomos, with a far more complex case construction than we are used to, yet still instantaneously recognised as a Nomos. 

On the first view it is a very classical watch in an uncommon case for the brand, but still there is the typical design approach of Nomos. It is an understated watch, not to be underrated as it shows sophisticated visual and technical details for a watch below € 3k.

The case reminds us to some well-known cases from the 40s and 50s, without looking in detail.

So, can we call it “old-school”? No, it is more like a modern interpretation of some of the nicest (Calatrava …) cases ever. Especially if you look at the flanks, this gets more obviously without shouting “modern”.

The “touch & feel” is very pleasing as well and the slim case (8.9mm, only because of the curved sapphire glass) has to be tried on, but before we put it on the wrist we will have a look at the face.

A modern interpretation of Bauhaus comes to our mind and again 40s/50s details when looking at the (hour) indexes. The pure hands, numbers and indexes get some additional spice with the colours shown.

If you take a (very) close look you'll see that the golden index dots are actually not coloured at all: this is the natural colour of the base brass material. After all painting and galvanisation, the dots are milled out, and the entire dial covered with a protective varnish.

On the wrist (our wrists) it felt superb and looked very good, at least to our eyes.

Yes, (some may say) it is kind of small for a men´s wrist today – 36mm. Maybe that´s why Nomos says: “Feminine in the most beautiful way”. Does it mean this is for women only? We would disagree and tend to say: Think about your paradigm!

Nomos demonstrated already last year what they can do – going a decisive step towards independence: an own escapement (NOMOS Schwingsystem) implemented without a rise in consumer prices – Gratulation (in German!), once more!

This year they went again one step further, an evolutionary one: their first automatic movement, Cal. DUW 3001 (with the NOMOS Schwingsystem):

The design approach of the automatic movement can be called modern, because it represents what is possible and necessary today. A slim and efficient automatic movement (3.2mm) with a bridge holding the spring system, instead of a balance cock. Slim is really taken seriously - below a comparison between the hand wound Tangente and its automatic sister, equipped with the new movement - which is which?

Chronometer accuracy is one of the product specifications. The planned production capacity of the new caliber is above 100.000 from the beginning. The latter should be very interesting for Nomos as well, because they like to offer the movement also to others and that helps to finance such projects for a relatively small company. Back to the movement. It is full of craftsmanship, the NOMOS swing system within sets the pace, and the renowned Glashütte characteristics such as the three-quarter plate, Glashütte ribbing, tempered blue screws, bidirectional winding rotor, Incabloc shock protection, 21,600 A/h, adjusted in six positions … to mention only a few. To make it short, it is a modern high-tech movement Made in Germany.

Therefore we hope you agree: This is a winner and especially in the budget category!

 

 

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