In the recent years, Nomos has been one of the more interesting and exciting watchmakers to look out for during the Baselworld. What sets it apart from the other watchmakers is the fact that it is relatively affordable, and it has got a minimalist look that is gaining popularity in fashion world these days.
The new Nomos Tangente Automatik, together with the older variant. Can you guess which is the newer one?
One of the new novelty pieces that Nomos launched during Baselworld this year would be the Tangente Automatik. The Tangente collection has been around since 1992 (surprisingly, it is even older than I am), and many versions have been spawned since then on. It comes in various sizes (33mm, 35mm, and 38mm) and complications (such as power reserve and date display), but this is the first time that an automatic movement is used on the Tangente.
The new Tangente Automatik follows the roots of the original Tangente. Firstly, the watch features the same Bauhaus-inspired design that has won many accolades and high praises in the horological industry. Next, it is also sized nicely at 35mm and it features a rather slim case (at 6.9mm, which is a tad thicker than the original Tangente) that slips under the shirt cuffs nicely. Finally, it is devoid of any complications which keeps the watch simple and minimal.
Another perspective of the Tangente Automatik. We would like to think that this will make an interesting dress piece.
When we first saw this timepiece, we thought that we like the simplistic design of the timepiece. Legibility is certainly one of the main plus points of this timepiece. We like how the dial is very clean, and it is completely focused on doing what it is supposed to do (which is to tell time). It is neither fanciful or ostentatious. It is, somehow, quintessentially German.
The difference between the Tangente and the Tangente Automatik is more pronounced when we look at the casebacks.
The new Nomos Tangente Automatik is powered by the new in-house DUW 3001. The automatic movement features Nomos’s swing system, and it has got a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. The main interesting aspect of this movement is its thinness: it is a mere 3.2mm thick. This allows the watch to be thin, just like its manual-winding counterparts.
The movement also features the three-quarter plates, Nomos balance bridge, tempered blue screws, and a rhodium-plated surface that features Glashutte ribbing and Nomos perlage. In terms of finishing and quality of the movement, it is rather value for money. There are not many brands out there that produces in-house movements of such quality at such price levels.
A close-up shot of the new movement. The same movement is also featured on Nomos’ new Minimatik.
We thought the new Tangente Automatik is a rather nice addition to the collection. It still features the iconic Nomos design, but it now comes with an improved automatic movement as well. For collectors who do not fancy manual-winding, the Tangente Automatik is honestly one great prospect that is worth having a look.
In terms of its size, there are bound to be collectors who thinks that 35mm may be a tad small. Granted, there are bigger people with a larger wrist size that thinks the watch may look a little queer on their wrists. But for Asians, we thought this watch would fit nicely on their wrist. The long lugs also plays a part here as well, as it makes the watch feels slightly larger and longer. This sort of compensates for the 35mm diameter of the case. It actually fits nicely on the wrist, and we thought it goes very well as a dress watch too.
The Nomos Tangente Automatik will be available by fall this year. Prices for this piece will hover around US$3780, and the watch will come with a black Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan strap.
Specifications from Press Release
Nomos Tangente Automatik
Data:
Case
stainless steel, bipartite; diameter 35 mm; sapphire crystal glass, sapphire crystal glass back: height 6.9 mm
Dial
galvanized, white silver-plated
Hands
hour and minute hands steel, black oxidized, seconds hand red lacquered
Strap
Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan black, lug width 18 mm
Reference number
171
Movement:
