The name Nomos Glashütte conjures images of trendy German minimalist watches in myriad colours, a strong design philosophy and a touch of humour (surprising for a German brand I know). What I don’t typically associate them with is a neon, cyberpunk-y vibe on an urban pilot’s watch. Yet that’s what we have with the release of the Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer Night Navigation Limited Edition.
Describing these watches as pilot’s timepieces is something of a surprise even to myself because the standard Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer doesn’t feel particularly aviation themed. Yes, all the core features of a pilot’s watch are technically present in the standard collection with its large crown, large numerals and worldtimer travel complication, but there’s something about the sunray brushed silver or blue dials that make it feel less like a tool watch than a pilot.
The new Night Navigation series switches things up by introducing high contrast colour schemes that feature black dials, coloured hour markers and matching accents, making them incredibly legible, as all pilot’s watches should be. There are three versions being produced: Trace in black and turquoise, Grid in black and orange, and Vector in black and olive. They’re inspired by the twinkling lights of cities when viewed from far above in a plane flying at night, or a cockpit instrument panel – another aspect that adds to their pilot’s watch authenticity. With the bold, neon colours against the dark backdrops, they feel straight out of a game like Cyberpunk 2077.
As for the specific details of the dial, you have central hour and minute hands above the 6 o’clock small seconds subdial. At 3 o’clock is a 24-hour subdial with day/night indication that allows the watch to display multiple time zones simultaneously. You can tell which timezone you have set the 24-hour display to show via the peripheral time zones city ring, which can be set using the pusher at 2 o’clock and the orange indicator at 12. It’s really a great looking display.
It’s housed in a 40mm steel case with 100m water resistance rating, making it ideal for daily wear. It’s not so large as to be an inconvenience but also wide enough to allow for readability in the pilot tradition. The crown is also suitably large with a pronounced grip to make it easy to use while wearing leather flying gloves. It has a circular bezel with polished finish that matches the lugs.
Inside is the DUW 3202 automatic worldtimer calibre. It features a 42-hour power reserve and Nomos Glashütte’s in-house swing escapement. It was with the creation of this escapement in 2014 that they became a truly independent manufacture. It’s visible through the exhibition caseback where you can admire its Glashütte stripes finishing.
Each of the Club Sport neomatik Worldtimer Night Navigation models is limited to 175 pieces at £3,940. That is quite pricy compared to equivalent watches from other brands but you have to remember here that you’re also paying for their independent watchmaking workshop in Glashütte and design studio in Berlin, and the prestige that comes with it.
Price and Specs:
More details at Nomos.
Love it. Looks great, I’d wear any of them but particularly the turquoise