Nomos
German independent luxury watch manufacturer
NOMOS was founded in 1990 by Roland Schwertner and remains headquartered in Glashütte, Germany. The independent watchmaker launched its first collection in 1992, a series of four hand-wound models - Tangente, Orion, Ludwig and Tetra - and has always been known for modern, accessible luxury watches. Up until 2005, NOMOS relied on ETA movements before completely switching to in-house calibres. The Tangomat became the first automatic NOMOS in the same year. To further its independence from outside suppliers, the brand introduced its own escapement in 2014, the Swing System, which made it into watches the following year. NOMOS currently has 13 models in its portfolio and all carry a familiar, cohesive design language that's instantly recognizable. Uwe Ahrendt is the current CEO and founder Roland Schwertner continues as the head of sales.
It was just a couple of months after the Berlin Wall fell that NOMOS was founded, around the same time as the new A. Lange & Söhne. This began a real resurgence of watchmaking in Glashütte. Designed by Susanne Gunther, the original collection carried a clean, modern and similar style that endures today, with a 35mm diameter cleverly designed to be unisex. Inspiration came from Bauhaus watches (streamlined modernism) in the 1930s from brands like Stowa and Lange.
Although initially known for hand-wound movements, the brand currently has seven in-house automatics ranging from time-only to date to world time calibres. Its six hand-wound movements are either round or tonneau-shaped with complications limited to a power reserve or date. All movements are accurate to a chronometer level.
In addition to worldwide admiration from watch enthusiasts, NOMOS has also won some of the industry’s top awards including the Challenge category (under CHF 4,000) at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève for the Tangente 41 Update. Featuring the DUW 6001 calibre, the watch marks the date on the outer perimeter of the dial via two red dots. The award further validated the innovation and design prowess of a rare independent brand that produces all movements in-house, while maintaining surprisingly accessible price points.
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