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James.

Nomos Orion 38 review

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James.

OK so I did in fact buy a watch on Wednesday (http://www.rwg.bz/bo...l=&fromsearch=1). Finally decided, after much deliberation to pick up the Orion. Yes, the Tangomat and Tangente are both beautiful, and I'll probably buy one of those two in a few weeks time but for now the Orion is the exact watch I've been looking for, something that fits very easily under a cuff for work, that is dressy but which can be dressed down (more about "dressed down" later)

 

So, let's go for a little review, shall we?

 

**disclaimer** two images, the macro ones of the sub seconds and the crown, are plagiarized from Google because I don't have a macro lens.

 

The watch comes in a quaint little wooden box. Feels....ok....doesn't scream "luxury" or even "mediocre" for that matter but i'd much prefer Nomos cut costs here than on the actual watch itself.

 

DSC02460_zpsflzohpqq.jpg

 

 

Opening it up we have the warranty booklet, and the polishing cloth. Pretty stock standard fare. It's reasonably nice, minimalist just like the brand.

 

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Hiding under the cloth is the watch itself, secured by two elastic band thingys.

 

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OK, so the watch itself is 38mm in diameter but it wears like a 40 given the clean dial and minimal polished bezel.

 

DSC02462_zpscqn6uheu.jpg

 

 

The hands are very thin and minimalist blued steel.

 

f4c5e5c4-4c30-4c5a-9ec5-ca659a973dad_zps8xlixfqv.jpg

 

 

In differing light the dial can appear only slightly off white, whilst at other times more opaque and silvery with texture

 

DSC02470_zpsysvvnz2x.jpg

 

 

This shows more of a silvery appearance showcasing some texture. It also highlights the giltish dial markers. They're very subtle but when they catch the light they really provide another more complex side of the dial. It can go from very plain and dressy to more blingy just from a bit of light. The hands will sparkle bright blue and markers glow gold, things that you generally won;t see most of the time. To be honest, the combination of the markers and hands is one main reason I chose this watch too be my 1st Nomos.

 

The printing on the dial is only slightly raised.

 

DSC02477_zpsefz2p5iq.jpg

 

 

The subtle detail on the sub-seconds is also quite lovely, and understated keeping in tune with the design of the watch

 

 

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Printing on the dial is kept at a minimum. "NOMOS Glashutte" takes the prime real estate, and "Made in Germany" fans around the bottom of the dial, unobtrusively.

 

DSC02467_zpsmi7ketyp.jpg

 

 

The bezel as previously mentioned, is very thin. The whole case is polished. The lug holes have been drilled through, I understand specifically for strap changes rather than a a design feature but I rather like that it's a bit against the grain of traditional dress watch in style there.

 

DSC02469_zpsppozffcm.jpg

 

 

The crown is very finely signed "NOMOS"

 

 

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The watch comes on a shell cordovan strap which is surprisingly the best gen strap i've ever worn. It's soft, it's smooth and it forms around your wrist like butter. The buckle is tang, simplistically designed with the makers name engraved. The negative with the strap is that because it's so soft and conforming, if you wear it often or leave it in a watch box the strap with mold to a round shape. Additionally, and I guess more to do with the colour than anything else, scuffs and marks show up on the strap easily as you can probably see. However, as an added bonus straps direct from Nomos are like $100 shipped. So, yay for that.

 

DSC02466_zpsrnmzywwl.jpg

 

 

 

This watch houses a Nomos "Alpha" in house hand wound movement, PR of 43 hours, adjusted in 6 positions, Glashutte 3 qtr plate and seconds stop which means the seconds stop when you set the time. It is an absolutely beautiful movement, the finishing on it is superb, especially considering the price range it is in, most of its competitors are utilizing ETA or alike movements with barely any finishing. For this movement to be in house, and finished to this standard is nothing less than amazeballs. Look at Tudors new caliber from Basel, it's roughly finished and almost twice the price of the Nomos.

 

DSC02473_zpsfu8wicfw.jpg

 

 

OK, so rather importantly I guess with any watch is how it wears. Almost any watch can look good in a photo, but if it wears poorly, money wasted.

 

For reference, I have a 7.25 inch wrist

 

DSC02491_zps3qdy8hrw.jpg

 

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The lug length means it wears actually quite well on my wrist despite its diameter. The profile is very thin given it's not a complicated watch with modules, it's only 8.86mm tall, but with slightly curving lugs hugs the wrist very nicely.

 

DSC02485_zpscxsefk8a.jpg

 

 

It's not just a dress watch IMO, though i'd say that would be it's primary purpose. I've ordered two velour straps, one in sand and one in blue to dress it down as something that I can wear on a Friday or weekend evenings. Not my image below but a reference on the sand strap, I've not seen any on blue.

 

5c8ec5e23730931b528f97b744c35761.jpg

 

 

 

So, overall impressions? Wow, for the price there's no other Swiss or German makers producing such well designed watches under their own manufacture. The only similar company I can think of is the Grand Seiko arm of Seiko. Even better is that when it needs to go in for servicing, there's a local smith accredited by Nomos, or if it goes back to Nomos, they post their (cheap) serviceing costs in black and white online!

http://www.nomos-sto...en/FAQ/Service/

Eat that, every other watch brand :P

 

Pros

 

Value proposition

Stunning in-house movement

Overall design of the watch, case, dial, the lot

Strap, on the wrist

 

Cons

Box is a bit cheap

Strap, off the wrist

Polished case is a finger pint magnet, but I love it anyways

 

 

 

306386f9-8e1b-43bb-90ea-c3efe6a3014c_zpst3im6x3d.jpg

 

DSC02478_zpsiyicnl2u.jpg

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ellistyle1

That's a very nice watch in a very nice collection. Nice pick.

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nyckid

Very nice, James! Congrats on a great buy mate, wear it well and thanks for the review. :clap:

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Boycie

Beautiful, congratulations James. Actually wears bigger than I thought.....bonus!

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HeavyKrush

Nice addition. Congrats.

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RussP

Love the sand strap.................great combo.

 

Nice write up too.

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James.

Thanks gents, I highly recommend the brand, all their pieces are lovely.

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simonbolivar

These are really starting to grow on me, and the prices are not exorbitant. Unfortunately, a bit too dressy for my typical dress code.

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baxter

Congrats James ... that really does wear well for the size, beautiful piece mate and fits very nicely into your collection.

 

applause_large.jpg

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muzz671

You wear it like a boss too - congrats on the pickup!

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kiko1314

Beautiful Bauhaus! May I ask how loud is the movement?

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LightGeek

Nomos offers a velour in chocolate color too by the way. Congrats on the awesome purchase!

 

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Nikohublot

Thanks for this review and wear it in good healts ... atm im thinking of buying a gen nomos as a dress watch but cant decide between the zurich or orion models , date or no date :S they are all so beautiful . I also want a tangente or tango at but first of all im looking for a plain dress watch .

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James.
Thanks for this review and wear it in good healts ... atm im thinking of buying a gen nomos as a dress watch but cant decide between the zurich or orion models , date or no date :S they are all so beautiful . I also want a tangente or tango at but first of all im looking for a plain dress watch .

 

The best thing to do would be to find an AD and try all those models on. The date versions are larger than the nondate but i didnt want the dial yoo cluttered. The tagente and tango are great too, im trying to not buy one of those, they're a bit more casual and funky than the zurich and orion

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Bash64

It looks "right" on your wrist. Love the sand strap. I think i need to see one in person as I seem to be more accepting of smaller watches.

 

This post is almost two years old - did you keep this one James?

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James.
It looks "right" on your wrist. Love the sand strap. I think i need to see one in person as I seem to be more accepting of smaller watches.

 

This post is almost two years old - did you keep this one James?

 

Yeah mate kept it, i dont wear dress watches often but it fits the bill when required at a very good price point.

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Emre

Nice watch friend

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Wriggles

Nice watch friend

 

someone wants access to M2M.....

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onzenuub

Nice watch friend

 

someone wants access to M2M.....

 

Someone will not get it this way. :D

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greg_r

Nice watch friend

 

Any more like this and you'll find yourself with a minus post count. You have been warned.

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silvertip

There is beauty in simplicity!!

 

Congratulations!

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Thrichar

Was playing with a macro lens for my iPhone and took a few dial shots of my Orion 38. Forgot how beautiful the detailing was!

 

C042892E-45AD-4E75-9E5D-319AFBD34B14_zps7hojf1by.jpg

 

 

482D7091-BEAC-4512-9BC8-CCA8589D2D87_zps5wwfcx0s.jpg

 

 

8CFAD1CF-950E-4878-8FC8-38F3F539BD44_zpsomktxgok.jpg

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James.
Was playing with a macro lens for my iPhone and took a few dial shots of my Orion 38. Forgot how beautiful the detailing was!

 

C042892E-45AD-4E75-9E5D-319AFBD34B14_zps7hojf1by.jpg

 

 

482D7091-BEAC-4512-9BC8-CCA8589D2D87_zps5wwfcx0s.jpg

 

 

8CFAD1CF-950E-4878-8FC8-38F3F539BD44_zpsomktxgok.jpg

 

Nice pics. I need to get an attachable lense for my phone... those are very clear and crisply detailed.

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