See, Nomos, they’re based outta Glashütte, Germany – which, for those who don’t know, is basically the Silicon Valley of German watchmaking. They’ve been around since 1990, which, okay, isn’t *ancient* history, but in watch terms, it’s a decent chunk of time. And they’ve become, like, one of the biggest makers of mechanical watches in Germany. Which is pretty impressive, considering all the Swiss competition.
What makes ’em special? Well, a few things. First off, the design. It’s very…minimalist. Clean lines, simple dials, nothing too flashy. Think Dieter Rams meets watchmaking. I actually saw some people mention “Tangente” models of them. I also spotted the term “Orion neomatik new black” (whatever that means), so they must be doing something right to have so many models. Some people dig it, some find it boring. I’m personally a fan, but hey, different strokes for different folks, y’know?
Then there’s the whole “in-house” thing. Basically, Nomos designs and makes their own movements. The inner-workings, the engine, the heart of the watch. A lot of brands *claim* to do this, but Nomos really does. Which is cool. It shows they care about the craft, not just sticking a pre-made movement in a pretty case.
I’ve seen prices ranging from 1,440 USD all the way to 1,900 USD, so it seems like you can get a good deal if you want to.
But, okay, here’s my slightly controversial opinion: sometimes, I think Nomos can be a *little* *too* sterile. Too perfect, almost. Like they’re trying so hard to be minimalist that they suck some of the soul out of the watch. Ya know? A little bit of imperfection can be charming, right? Maybe it’s just me.
Also, and this is a purely superficial thing, some of their straps…they can be a little…stiff? I dunno. Maybe they loosen up over time. I’ve heard people talking about replacing ’em with aftermarket straps. I mean, that sounds like a good idea!
