NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand watch review
The NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand and Ahoi neomatik 38 date sky are the latest additions to the German marque’s Ahoi collection. Housed in a 38.5 mm steel case, both models feature the in-house NOMOS Caliber DUW 6101. Moreover, these new references both feature a wide-screen date display at 3 o’clock. Whilst these models are new they are imbued with all of the usual NOMOS loveliness that legions of horophiles have grown to adore.
Image – NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand (right) and Ahoi neomatik 38 date sky (left)
The first NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi models were released in 2013
In 2013, NOMOS Glashutte unveiled the Ahoi (reference 550) and the Ahoi Datum (reference 551). I can still remember my sense of surprise at the time the models were released. These watches represented a departure for the brand. Previously, the company’s timepieces shunned luminescent treatment and the water resistance was typically 30 m. However, the marketing-savvy firm from Saxony had clearly recognised the public’s growing fondness for visiting the gym and partaking in various water sports.
Image – NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand
NOMOS Ahoi 550 and the Ahoi Datum 551
The inaugural Ahoi and the Ahoi Datum featured white silver-plated dials fitted with luminescent hands and indexes, came on textile straps and, most pertinently, were water-resistant to 200 m. Both watches were housed in a 40 mm bipartite steel case with the Datum version displaying the date at 6 o’clock.
Image – NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi (reference 550)
A crown protector reaffirmed the model’s all-action credentials, however, the creative minds based at the firm’s design facility in Berlin had somehow managed to retain that ‘NOMOS essence’. I use this latter term to describe the brand’s multi-prize-winning design prowess.
Harking back to 1992 when the marque released its very first collection, comprising the Ludwig, Orion, Tangente and Tetra models, it was inspired by Bauhaus, Deutsche Werkbund and the Ulm School. The brand’s clean styles have always conferred practicality and enduring eye-appeal. Whilst the Ahoi and the Ahoi Datum appeared radically different on paper, one glance at them in the wild revealed the NOMOS essence was alive and well.
NOMOS Ahoi Atlantik (2014)
The Ahoi models released in 2013 featured self-winding movements, the Epsilon caliber (Ahoi) and Zeta caliber (Ahol Datum). In 2014, NOMOS released the Ahoi Atlantik (reference 552) and the Ahoi Atlantik Datum (reference 553), both endowed with deep blue dials complemented by golden hands and indexes.
Image – NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi Atlantik Datum (reference 553)
NOMOS Ahoi collection (2023)
Today, NOMOS offers the Ahoi Atlantik (references 547 and 557) and the Ahoi Atlantik Datum (references 548 and 558), pairing a dark blue dial with white accents. All models are fitted with the Caliber DUW 5101 and can be specified with a solid or exhibition caseback.
Image – NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi Atlantik (reference 557)
NOMOS has clearly enjoyed much success with the Ahoi and the firm now offers an array of smaller versions (36.3 mm) for ‘more delicate wrists’, some of which are executed in summery shades.
Image – NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik (reference 560)
At this juncture you may have noticed that the brand from Saxony does not take much time off, working diligently to deliver more NOMOS deliciousness. Indeed, the term continuous improvement is part of NOMOS parlance, something evident with its numerous styles and many in-house movements.
Image – NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand
NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date – two new dial options
The NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sky and the Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand are the latest additions to the firm’s aquatic-themed collection. Upholding the brand’s reputation for ‘the name says it all’ policy, both watches feature a date, measure a smidgen over 38 mm and feature dials executed in sun-kissed shades of blue or sand.
Image – NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand
Image – NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sky
NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand – large date
Both new additions are instantly recognisable as Ahoi models and are blessed with the same prepossessing looks as their older siblings. However, a closer look reveals that the date display has moved to 3 o’clock and is now much larger, aiding readability. This can be attributed to the movement within, the in-house NOMOS Caliber DUW 6101. Released in 2018, just three years after the brand’s first neomatik movement, the Calibre DUW 3001, the Calibre DUW 6101 served to showcase, once again, the company’s penchant for invention.
Image – NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand
NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand – Caliber DUW 6101
Equipped with the brand’s swing system and measuring just 3.6mm in height, the Calibre DUW 6101 is equipped with a date disc that encircles the whole of the movement. This facilitates making the date numerals notably large. Moreover, the movement is equipped with an ingenious gear wheel that allows the wearer to rotate the crown in either direction when setting the date. With most watches equipped with a date display, the date should not be altered between 2000 hours and 0200 hours, however, NOMOS reduces this no-touch window to just 90 minutes.
The Calibre DUW 6101 is beautifully decorated with Glashütte ribbing, perlage, thermally-blued screws and golden engravings. Assuming the movement is fully wound, the watch will run autonomously for 42 hours.
NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand – closing thoughts
Despite having a generously proportioned date display, the Ahoi neomatik 38 date still has a modest thickness of 9.9 mm, a benefit of using the slender neomatik Caliber. Moreover, the model is endowed with numerous small details which further enrich the ownership experience. For example, the crown nestles between the shoulders of a protector. When it is unscrewed it reveals a red circlet, a reminder not to dive into the pool until it has been screwed-down. Furthermore, the small seconds display is recessed, snailed and fitted with a tangerine-toned hand, adding a note of tasteful vibrancy.
Presented on a water-resistant textile strap, prospective purchasers can specify their Ahoi neomatik 38 date with a solid caseback, ideal for adding a personalised engraving, or a sapphire crystal back. There is a small premium for the dorsal glazing, however, I would strongly recommend paying the extra as the movement is beautiful to behold and deserves to be admired.
The NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand serves as a textbook lesson in respecting historical design codes while shrewdly engaging with new audiences. Indeed, these watches are fresh and new but remain reassuringly NOMOS.
Note: all images are copyright – NOMOS Glashütte
Further reading
NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sand Technical specification
- Reference: 517 (steel back) or 527 (sapphire crystal back)
- Case: stainless steel, diameter 38.5 mm, height 9.8 mm (steel back), height 9.9 mm (sapphire crystal back), water resistance 20 atm (200 metres).
- Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, date
- Movement: calibre DUW 6101; automatic movement; 27 jewels; power reserve of approximately 42 hours.
- Strap: dark grey textile strap with NOMOS wing buckle
- Price: £3,520 (steel back) or £3,820 (sapphire crystal back) – RRP as of 28.7.2023)
NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi neomatik 38 date sky Technical specification
- Reference: 516 (steel back) or 526 (sapphire crystal back)
- Case: stainless steel, diameter 38.5 mm, height 9.8 mm (steel back), height 9.9 mm (sapphire crystal back), water resistance 20 atm (200 metres).
- Functions: hours, minutes, small seconds, date
- Movement: calibre DUW 6101; automatic movement; 27 jewels; power reserve of approximately 42 hours.
- Strap: blue black textile strap with NOMOS wing buckle
- Price: £3,520 (steel back) or £3,820 (sapphire crystal back) – RRP as of 28.7.2023)
