Nomos Glashütte Launch Club Campus All Olive and Full Rose Editions

For the vast majority of collectors, buying a watch is not something they can afford to do frivolously. As such, people tend to purchase watches to mark special occasions and important milestones in their life. Arguably one of the biggest transitions that anybody faces is when you move from education into the working world, which is the clearest social moment that childhood and adolescence moves into adulthood. It’s such a momentous occasion that Nomos Glashütte produce a watch specially to commemorate this moment: the Club Campus, now available in fresh All Olive and Full Rose Editions with upgraded movements.

The name Club Campus is a reference to university or school campuses and therefore a celebration of graduation. That’s why it’s Nomos’ most colourful collection because it’s designed to be youthful and appeal to students. However, let me be very clear on this, there is absolutely nothing stopping anyone of any age from buying and appreciating the watch, it’s simply the theme and context of the watch. Once it’s on the wrist, none of that impacts the enjoyment of the watch.

Starting with the case, which is available at either 36mm or 38,5mm diameters, it’s a very clean, slightly sporty design. It has polished lugs and a round polished bezel which would typically lead it in a dress watch direction but the thickness of the bezel and flat angles is at odds with the typical refinement of that archetype. Instead, it becomes much more of a versatile, daily wear style case, which is backed up by its 100m water resistance. You also have the choice of solid or exhibition caseback.

For the dials, they follow the collection’s typical matte finish with a California style layout. That means they feature Arabic numerals and Roman numerals split above and below the horizontal axis. The Full Rose edition is pink with beige numerals, a vibrant orange small seconds hand and a pale blue minute scale. The All Olive is green with the same beige and orange accents except this time the minute scale is pink.

I like how unisex they are. Certainly, the Full Rose at 36mm is the most feminine, especially as it’s the only model presented on a lighter beige strap rather than the dark anthracite of the rest, but that doesn’t mean men can’t wear it. Both colourways are well balanced and appealing. Of the two I actually find it hard to choose though ultimately come down on the side of the All Olive at 38.5mm.

Powering these watches is the DUW 4001 manual-winding calibre, an upgrade over the Alpha Calibre in the existing Campus models. The use of manual-winding achieves two things. First and foremost, it lets the watches be much thinner as there’s no bulky rotor to accommodate – the thickest model, which is the 38.5mm sapphire exhibition caseback version, is only 8.5mm. Secondarily, some collectors believe there’s more of an emotional connection that forms with a manual watch because you spend more time actively caring for it as part of your daily rituals. Well, slightly less frequently than daily with a 53-hour power reserve (up from 43-hours in the older Campus watches).

Because of the upgraded movement, the pricing is a little higher than the rest of the collection. Specifically, they range from £1,420 – £1,780 depending on the size and caseback options you choose – previously the range capped out at £1,480. It’s a price that’s not insubstantial while staying within the realms of reality for what a money savvy student or their family might be able to afford as a graduation present. Or, a gift for yourself at any time because you worked hard and deserve it.

More details at NOMOS Glashutte.