Nomos Zurich Weltzeit True Blue: So the Nomos Zürich Weltzeit is nothing new, I’d probably go as far as saying that it’s not earth shattering but often it is the simple things that go unnoticed, even I have been guilty of this. I consider Nomos the antithesis in the world of modern watchmaking, more often than not watch designs are overly complicated and exaggerated to a point where its primal function is somewhat thwarted by bad design. But Nomos offer, in my opinion, some of the most well thought out watch designs that are very contemporary but yet still embody classic elements. I’ve always been a fan of the Zürich Weltzeit but this true blue dial just elevates it to another level.
Like I said, I’ve been a fan of the Weltzeit since the beginning but this blue dial is just brilliant. The dial has a hue that reminds me of vintage timepieces with black dials that have aged and turned a lovely shade of blueish grey. The dial features white indices and a recessed, rotating, chapter ring of 24 global cities all listed in English, as well as a little home symbol and arrow in red that points to the 24-hour disc, which hovers above the city ring. This of course indicates your home time and makes a change from the previous iteration that sported the inscription “Heimat” (translates roughly to “Homeland”). At 6 o’clock is a large engine-turned subsidiary second’s indicator. Against the backdrop of the stainless steel case, it all ties in rather well.
I mentioned at the beginning of this article that Nomos employ simple design. The Zürich Weltzeit (Worldtimer) is an aesthetically pure design and is in keeping with most of the Nomos range – bar the Nomos Metro. All surfaces have been polished to a mirror shine, including the crown, at 3 o’clock and push piece that controls the world-timer (which is actually a sophisticated GMT) function, at 2 o’clock. At times having these elements polished can look over the top, however, the lines and angles of the case break up this mirror finish. To top it all off the case measures a precise 39.9mm just 0.01mm shy of 40mm, at a height of 10.85mm – in my books this puts it within the realms of the perfect size for such a timepiece.
Turning the Zürich Weltzeit over, reveals a window into the watch’s party piece; the in-house self-winding Nomos calibre DUW 5201. Equipped with Nomos’ new in-house escapement: the swing system, this movement also features the very useful stop second’s mechanism and a power reserve of 42-hours. The 31mm in-house movement, also sports the traditional Glashütte three-quarter plate, tempered blue screws and Glashütte perlage.
I like the way Nomos design their watches and while some may see them as insipid, and rather sterile, this for me is what makes them interesting. I’ve always been an advocate of less is more when it comes to design and in my opinion, Nomos are so downright brilliant at doing this, hence the reason they’ve won awards for good design. Even their simple but effective way of advertising is nothing short of genius. Just have a look here you’ll see what I’m talking about.
While I can’t praise Nomos enough in the design department, let’s not forget that the Weltzeit is not a true world-timer so to speak but as mentioned more of a sophisticated GMT and I’m fine with that. Why? Well, if it were a true world-timer the price tag would be a lot heftier. It is a timepiece that has a solid and robust design that will remain a faithful, yet discreet globetrotting companion. Another element you just can’t argue with is the price, at just £3,850 the Weltzeit offers exceptionally great value for money for a timepiece with an in-house complication. This only further sweetens the charm the Nomos Zürich Weltzeit already has.
For more information on the Zürich Weltzeit True Blue, visit the official Nomos website.
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