FIVE WAYS HI-FIDELITY LTD

NOMOS

Nomos (Greek - regularity and order) watches are made in Glashutte, Saxony, Germany. Glashutte is an important centre for watch making with a heritage going back to the middle 1800s and Ferdinand Adolf Lange. Rejuvenated following the reunification of Germany, Glashutte is now home for four important watch companies. The other three are: A. Lange & Sohne, Glashutte Original and Muhle.

All Nomos models are hand winding. Until recently all models were based on the Peseux 7001 movement. This movement was substantially re-worked and changed in house at Nomos using substituted and added components. The changes and modifications were such that Nomos had to use its own caliber names. Nomos has now progressed beyond this and has developed a range of movements made entirely in house. This can only serve to enhance the status and reputation of both the company and its products.

There are three new movements. All are hand winding and 3/4 plate. They are decorated and rhodium plated. They are even more attractive than their predecessors. They are called: Alpha (basic), Beta (with date) and Delta (with date and power reserve).

There is huge attention to detail throughout the watches and the quality of work is much higher than might be expected for the price range.
The watches (except "Tetra")are either 35mm. or 36.5mm. in diameter and are very slim. Because the dials are large relative to the cases the watches do not look small. With their modest actual diameters they are suitable for both sexes and all wrist sizes. Nomos makes a big point about not making watches specifically for women. Fashion models commonly wear men's watches because women's watches tend to look too small and silly - all a hangover from when women's watches were incorporated in bracelets and time telling took second place to jewellery. Nomos estimates that about a quarter of its watches are worn by women.

The watches are robust and totally suitable for every day use. They are a very good compromise between pure instrument watches and pure dress watches. Except for the models with precious metal cases (details of gold and platinum models on request), all the cases are made from surgical grade (316 L) stainless steel. The finish is bright polished. This works very well with watches of this size with their lean profiles. These watches are supremely elegant. We cannot imagine anyone being disappointed with one of these watches, whether bought or received as a present. Nomos has won many awards for both design and quality. These watches are not out of place in the company of the very high end Swiss and German brands.

Each watch comes in a very nice wooden presentation and storage case along with a small hard backed book about Nomos. Each watch is traceable to the individuals in the factory who actually built it.

More information is on the Nomos web site: www.glashuette.com

Tangente. This was the first model Nomos produced. Introduced in the early 1990s, it is already a design classic. Inspired by Werkbund/Bauhaus/form out of function etc., it was designed by German graphics designer Susanne Gunther. The evolution of this watch design was considered to be sufficiently important to have at least one independent book written about it ("The Tangente from NOMOS Glashutte" - Hans Irrek) Shown is entry level model 0020. Steel back. Water resistant to 30m. Sapphire crystal. Strap lug fixing with screws. D= 35mm. H= 6.05mm. Movement: Nomos Alpha. £615. This model is also available with a sapphire back (0027) and this version has become the runaway best seller in the whole of the tangente range. £685. This model is also available as a limited edition "GLASHUTTE" (0010). It has a sapphire crystal back and the visible movement (1TS) carries the Glashutte coat of arms. A very nice watch and one for the collectors and enthusiasts. It is also the cheapest Nomos watch with a sapphire back. This watch uses the earlier split plate movement because it predates the latest range. £640.
Tangente - Date Crystal Back (0021). As above model (0020) but with date and a sapphire crystal back. The latter enables examination of the finely finished movement (Nomos Beta). The location of the date is very interesting. This involved the development of a special additional mechanism driving a date ring at the very edge of the dial. £895.
Tangente Power Reserve (0022). This is an important new model. It is similar to 0021 (above) but has a power reserve indicator. The extra mechanism for this was developed in house by Nomos and has been incorporated without changing the size of the watch. It has the new Delta movement. Already covered in the watch magazines, this model is likely to appeal to enthusiasts and collectors. £1235
Tangente Sport (0023). This model is more heavily constructed than the other Tangente models - hence D= 36.5mm. and H= 7.50mm. This model is not just actually larger. It has a "heavier" presentation as well. The strap is thicker. The horns are thicker. The solid steel back is held on with screws and the water resistance is to 100m. There are luminous indices and the hands are luminous. Strap lug fixing with screws. Movement: Nomos Alpha. £685. Also available with date (0024). Movement: Nomos Beta. £895.
Ludwig (0110). This is similar to 0020 but is for people who prefer Roman numerals.Very nice but remember the Arabic version is the classic. H= 6.25mm. Alpha movement. £600. Also available with sapphire crystal back (0111) which is slightly domed hence H= 6.65mm. £670.
Orion (0210). Another fine design from Nomos. Solid steel back. Sapphire crystal (domed). Silver batons (gold illustrated). Water resistant to 30m. Strap lug fixing with screws. D= 35mm. H= 7.25mm. Movement: Nomos Alpha. Please note that the real colour of the dial is silvered white. £655 Also available with sapphire back and gold batons (0211). £800. We can still supply the predecessor of 0211. This has silver batons and the earlier gold plated 3/4 plate movement. Still very nice at £695.
Orion (0212). Similar to 0210 but with black dial.Silver batons (gold illustrated). £655 Also available with sapphire back and silver batons (0213). £800. We can still supply the predecessor of 0213. This has silver batons and the earlier gold plated 3/4 plate movement. Still very nice at £695.
Tetra Large (0311). A watch with simple lines which reflects some of the thinking behind the Tangente. Solid steel back held on by screws. Sapphire crystal. Strap lug fixing with screws. Water resistant to 30m. 29.5mm. x 29.5mm. H= 6.05mm. Movement: Nomos Alpha. £695 With sapphire back £765