The new Aqua Series from Nomos Glashütte takes the German
watchmaker into previously uncharted territory.
By Courtney Kenefick
As a fashion editor, I’m admittedly not as well-versed in the technicalities of a timepiece as your typical “watch nerd.” But I recognize a good looking watch when I see one. And I know enough to appreciate the technicalities of an in-house automatic movement. Nomos Glashütte has always caught my eye for that reason. The brand’s watches are clean and modern on the outside, and complicated and impressive on the inside. (They recently introduced the DUW 3001, a new 3.2 mm automatic, winding, in-house movement.) And they’ve done it again with the latest collection, aptly named Aqua for its water resistant qualities.
I first fell in love with the German watchmaker when I was introduced to its Metro Neomatik model, designed by Mark Braun. For me, the neon orange seconds hand and straightforward-but-bold face embodied what I admire most about the brand: A fearlessness for pushing watch design forward in a modern way, while still maintaining the craftsmanship of a quality timepiece. To outsiders, the world of watches can be stuffy and intimidating—and that is exactly what Nomos Glashütte is not.
That carries over into its new Aqua collection. Sure, there’s an element of practicality in the series that I’m attracted to: The straps are lightweight and can be swapped in and out for a different look, and the stainless-steel case is thin, durable, and comfortable. And then, of course, there’s the fact that they’re waterproof up to 200 meters, a first for the brand. But, in typical fashion (pun intended), I was immediately drawn to the aesthetic. The men’s and women’s line comes in two models (Neomatik and Club) and introduced two new deep hues that immediately draw attention.
Ultimately, it would be the Ahoi Neomatik with a white face and light gray strap that would accompany me on a trip to Lake George. It matched my light and airy summer style with its light-blue minute and hour hands, while still commanding with its orange seconds hand. Since it was a family vacation, I was able to get the opinions of watch novices and non-enthusiasts alike. The verdict was universal: The watch is cool, in every sense of the word.
Prices for the Aqua range start at $3,040 and go up to $4,660. Find out more at nomos-glashuette.com.