Post by timelessluxwatches on Feb 12, 2015 16:34:06 GMT -6
Nomos Ludwig Automatik Review
Nomos is a company famed for its understated Germanic designs, particularly those with bold Arabic numerals. Their Tangente, Tangomat, Ahoi and Tetra designs all feature these trademark number markers. When not employing Arabic numerals, Nomos uses no numerals at all, like in their Lambda, Zurich or Orion lines. How about some options for those who prefer Roman numerals? Well, Nomos has already thought of that, and has the complete Ludwig collection to satisfy every Bauhaus need you could want. From big to small, hand wounds to automatics, with or without a date--the Ludwig is one of the most comprehensive lines Nomos has, all featuring their beautiful interpretation of Roman numerals. Today we're going to look at perhaps the most popular Nomos Ludwig, the Nomos Ludwig Automatik.
The Introduction
The Nomos Ludwig, as I mentioned above, is the only model available from Nomos, at least at the moment, with Roman numerals. Clearly the Glashutte manufacture has a powerful preference for Arabic numerals, but it doesn't mean there are any compromises in the Ludwig line. The Ludwig Automatik, the specific one we're examining in this review, is basically the Tangomat for fans of Roman numerals, but at the same time, it's more than that--we'll dive into the subtle differences throughout that help differentiate it from other Nomos options.
Although Roman numerals are consolidated into a single line of watches, Nomos compensates by giving that line a lot of diversity. Unlike almost every collection in Nomos (aside from the Club), the Ludwig is available with both automatic and hand wound movements. Today we're looking at their excellent Epsilon automatic movement, the company's first in house automatic. It's also available in automatic form with a date in the form of the Zeta.
The Face
The Ludwig has all the great styling you've come to expect from Nomos. It is as understated as a watch can be, but the way Nomos does understated is quite different than some of the competition. Where another designer would have created a boring watch, Nomos makes the Ludwig so understated that it's actually profoundly striking.
We'll first touch on all the great design elements you're used to in a Nomos, but then we'll expand to the more subtle changes they've made for the Ludwig. Perhaps the most striking element of a Nomos watch is the empty space on the dial--you're stunned by what isn't there.
Every single Nomos watch includes a seconds subdial and this is, of course, no exception. Like the Tangente, Tangomat and Orion, this features a very fine guilloche texture, separating it from the evenly finished dial.
The hands are identical to those used in the Tangente and Tangomat as well. These thin stick hands are heat blued to create that gorgeous super dark blue finish. Heat blued hands have the unusual property that they appear black in all but direct light. where they glow bright blue, making them rather dynamic.
Now that we've got the Nomos basics out of the way, let's address some of the changes. First, and most obviously, are the Roman numerals. These used, of course, instead of the Arabic numerals Nomos normally employ, and they appear to be quite in line with Nomos' styling in general--there are virtually no flourishes, just perfectly straight lines. Another difference, far less obvious, is the railroad track around the dial, a feature not seen in the Tangente and Tangomat.
One very interesting change is that the Ludwig has a 6:00 numeral, unlike every other Nomos that I'm aware of. Why? Beats me, but this does eliminate the unusually empty space on other Nomoses without a date, so I think this is actually a positive change. Obviously, the 6 is removed if you opt for the datum (date) version.
So while the Ludwig is very similar to the Tangente and Tangomat, it's not simply the same watch with Roman numerals--it does have a few small touches on the dial to make it stand out, albeit subtly.
But, subtle changes notwithstanding, the Ludwig is classic Nomos through and through. Austere to the very core, yet somehow striking in its simplicity, it's the ideal compliment to the Nomos fan who has a preference for Roman numerals.
To read the rest of the review, click here: timelessluxwatches.com/reviews/nomos-ludwig-automatik-review
Nomos is a company famed for its understated Germanic designs, particularly those with bold Arabic numerals. Their Tangente, Tangomat, Ahoi and Tetra designs all feature these trademark number markers. When not employing Arabic numerals, Nomos uses no numerals at all, like in their Lambda, Zurich or Orion lines. How about some options for those who prefer Roman numerals? Well, Nomos has already thought of that, and has the complete Ludwig collection to satisfy every Bauhaus need you could want. From big to small, hand wounds to automatics, with or without a date--the Ludwig is one of the most comprehensive lines Nomos has, all featuring their beautiful interpretation of Roman numerals. Today we're going to look at perhaps the most popular Nomos Ludwig, the Nomos Ludwig Automatik.
The Introduction
The Nomos Ludwig, as I mentioned above, is the only model available from Nomos, at least at the moment, with Roman numerals. Clearly the Glashutte manufacture has a powerful preference for Arabic numerals, but it doesn't mean there are any compromises in the Ludwig line. The Ludwig Automatik, the specific one we're examining in this review, is basically the Tangomat for fans of Roman numerals, but at the same time, it's more than that--we'll dive into the subtle differences throughout that help differentiate it from other Nomos options.
Although Roman numerals are consolidated into a single line of watches, Nomos compensates by giving that line a lot of diversity. Unlike almost every collection in Nomos (aside from the Club), the Ludwig is available with both automatic and hand wound movements. Today we're looking at their excellent Epsilon automatic movement, the company's first in house automatic. It's also available in automatic form with a date in the form of the Zeta.
The Face
The Ludwig has all the great styling you've come to expect from Nomos. It is as understated as a watch can be, but the way Nomos does understated is quite different than some of the competition. Where another designer would have created a boring watch, Nomos makes the Ludwig so understated that it's actually profoundly striking.
We'll first touch on all the great design elements you're used to in a Nomos, but then we'll expand to the more subtle changes they've made for the Ludwig. Perhaps the most striking element of a Nomos watch is the empty space on the dial--you're stunned by what isn't there.
Every single Nomos watch includes a seconds subdial and this is, of course, no exception. Like the Tangente, Tangomat and Orion, this features a very fine guilloche texture, separating it from the evenly finished dial.
The hands are identical to those used in the Tangente and Tangomat as well. These thin stick hands are heat blued to create that gorgeous super dark blue finish. Heat blued hands have the unusual property that they appear black in all but direct light. where they glow bright blue, making them rather dynamic.
Now that we've got the Nomos basics out of the way, let's address some of the changes. First, and most obviously, are the Roman numerals. These used, of course, instead of the Arabic numerals Nomos normally employ, and they appear to be quite in line with Nomos' styling in general--there are virtually no flourishes, just perfectly straight lines. Another difference, far less obvious, is the railroad track around the dial, a feature not seen in the Tangente and Tangomat.
One very interesting change is that the Ludwig has a 6:00 numeral, unlike every other Nomos that I'm aware of. Why? Beats me, but this does eliminate the unusually empty space on other Nomoses without a date, so I think this is actually a positive change. Obviously, the 6 is removed if you opt for the datum (date) version.
So while the Ludwig is very similar to the Tangente and Tangomat, it's not simply the same watch with Roman numerals--it does have a few small touches on the dial to make it stand out, albeit subtly.
But, subtle changes notwithstanding, the Ludwig is classic Nomos through and through. Austere to the very core, yet somehow striking in its simplicity, it's the ideal compliment to the Nomos fan who has a preference for Roman numerals.
To read the rest of the review, click here: timelessluxwatches.com/reviews/nomos-ludwig-automatik-review
