When it comes to tasteful implementations of unusual and unexpected colors, NOMOS does it better than almost any other brand, and for Watches & Wonders Geneva 2024, the Glashütte-based manufacturer has flexed every single one of its colorful muscles. Rather than unveiling a new model, NOMOS has created 31 different limited-edition colorways for the 38mm date-displaying version of the Tangente, and each one represents a distinct expression of this fan-favorite Bauhaus-inspired design. Representing a different colorway for each day of the month, the 31 new limited-edition NOMOS Tangente 38 Date watches range from conservative to downright whimsical, and each version is limited to 175 examples to celebrate the 175th anniversary of watchmaking in Glashütte.
A single release consisting of 31 different colorways is undeniably a bit overwhelming, and while limited-edition dial variations are commonplace within the watch industry, rarely do we see one launch include this many different options. To offer a bit of context, the NOMOS Tangente is the German brand’s single most famous model, and in the same way that the 911 serves as the backbone of Porsche’s catalog or the Air Jordan 1 informs the designs of numerous different Nike sneakers, the Tangente is a cornerstone NOMOS offering that can be found on the wrists of both die-hard collectors and surface-level enthusiasts who simply want a high-quality watch with a timeless and minimalist design. Similar to how there have been countless different colorways of the Air Jordan 1 sneaker, and Porsche 911 buyers can choose the color of their car, the objective of this latest batch of 31 limited-edition NOMOS Tangente 38 Date watches is to give collectors the ability to enjoy this classic model in a colorway that speaks to their individual lifestyle and aesthetic preferences.
From a construction and materials standpoint, the 31 new limited-edition NOMOS Tangente 38 Date watches are identical to the existing standard-production model from the collection (ref. 130), which means that they feature round polished stainless steel cases and measure 37.5mm by 6.8mm thick. Flat sapphire crystals are fitted above the dial and to the snap-on display caseback, while a signed winding crown sits on the side of the case at 3 o’clock, and water resistance comes in at 30 meters to protect against daily incidental contact. Additionally, the 19mm lugs of the new limited-edition Tangente 38 Date models are fitted with woven textile straps in either light or dark gray, and all of them are powered by the brand’s Caliber DUW 4101 manual-wind movement, which runs at a frequency of 21,600vph (3 Hz) with a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.
Visible through the sapphire window in the caseback, the NOMOS Cal. DUW 4101 features its calendar disc mounted around the movement (rather than directly on top of it), and this enables a thinner design and also allows the brand to place the date window in a visually balanced location closer to the periphery of the dial. Additionally, each of the 31 different colorways features a calendar disc that has been specifically finished to complement the other colors used throughout the dial. On some of the new limited-edition NOMOS Tangente 38 Date watches, the calendar disc is perfectly color-matched to the dial surface, while others have calendar discs that play into the various other tones that are used throughout their running seconds sub-dials and elongated Arabic numeral hour markers.
With 31 different colorways, there are simply too many options to reasonably list in a with dedicated images, but NOMOS has created a useful infographic that outlines the various options and the colors that are associated with each of them. The majority of the colorway names are in German, which means that a bit of translation will be needed to decipher their meanings, although each one describes the specific color palette or its inspiration. For example, “Schneesturm” means “blizzard” when translated to English, and it denotes a white, black, and blue color profile. Meanwhile “Ziegelblau” means “brick blue” in English, and this model pairs a brick-tone red with a medium shade of blue. With that in mind, other names are rather self-explanatory (even for those who don’t speak German), and no translation is needed for options such as Stop, Go, Love, Peace, Bubblegum, and Lemonbiscuit.
Although 175 pieces of each colorway is a fairly small number of examples, there are 31 different colorways for the new limited-edition NOMOS Tangente 38 Date, which means that a total of 5,425 watches will be available as part of this launch. While some colorways will naturally be more popular than others, I imagine that most people will have at least several different options that speak to them, and it will be interesting to see which variations of the limited-edition Tangente 38 Date will be spotted in the wild. Additionally, while limited editions typically cost more than their standard-production counterparts, the new limited-edition NOMOS Tangente 38 Date models are actually slightly less expensive, and all 31 of the different colorways are priced at $2,310 USD. NOMOS views the lower price for these limited editions as an investment in the individuals who wear its watches, and given that this capsule collection is all about diversity and self-expression, the Glashütte-based brand wanted to make these colorful expressions of its signature model as accessible as possible. For more information on the NOMOS Tangente 38 Date, please visit the brand’s website.
