NOMOS Glashütte Ludwig – 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte

The NOMOS Glashütte Ludwig – 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte is comprised of three-limited edition versions of its tried and trusted Ludwig model. Each watch features thermally blued hands, an enamel-white dial and an in-house movement. Lastly, consistent with the brand’s longstanding reputation, these three timepieces, offer incredible value for money coupled with discernible quality.

Glashütte was once synonymous with mining. Indeed, during the 12th century the state of Saxony amassed great wealth from the mining of silver, primarily from nearby Freiberg. In Glashütte, mining came later and was a significant industry during the 15th century. However, with the demise of mining in the 16th century, towns such as Glashütte suffered economic decline. Furthermore, during the Battle of the Nations (circa late 18th century), when Napoleon instigated a blockade, much of the land and a significant portion of the population suffered as a consequence.

A young watchmaker, based in Dresden, Ferdinand A. Lange (1815-1875) wanted to establish his own Manufactory. The state of Saxony was offering loans to entrepreneurs to establish businesses in order to reinvigorate the local economy. Lange moved to Glashütte in 1845 and established his own manufactory, hiring 15 apprentice watchmakers in the process.

Thereafter, other leading lights of horology settled in Glashütte, including Julius Assmann, Moritz Grossmann and Friedrich August Adolf Schneider.

The impact of World War II and subsequently the advent of the DDR had a significant effect on the town’s watchmaking industry. However, after the reunification of Germany in 1990, many of those watchmaking brands that once called Glashütte home, chose to return. Today, Glashütte has a watchmaking school and plays host to numerous watch brands, including NOMOS Glashütte, founded in 1990 by Roland Schwertner. This watchmaking enclave is world-famous for crafting high-precision timepieces to exacting standards.

This year (2020), NOMOS is celebrating ‘175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte’ and to mark the occasion the company has released three limited-edition versions of its elegant Ludwig model. Two of these watches feature the two examples of the acclaimed neomatik movement, the Calibre DUW 3001 (the Ludwig Neomatik 39) and the Calibre DUW 6101 (the Ludwig neomatik 41 date). This in-house movement incorporates the brand’s neomatik date mechanism, where applicable, and the NOMOS swing system (escapement and regulating organ). The third limited-edition is a hand-wound Ludwig model featuring the brand’s Alpha calibre and is offered for a remarkably keen price of £1800 (RRP as at 15.7.2020)

The brand’s press release (July 2020)

Roman numerals, subtle indexes, railroad minute markers—also known by the French name chemin de fer. All gathered in a slender case reminiscent of a pocket watch: NOMOS Ludwig is a watch that could hardly be more classic. A timepiece for people who treasure traditions.

That is why NOMOS is celebrating Glashütte watchmaking, which started 175 years ago in eastern Germany, with a limited edition of this classic timepiece. There are three versions, each limited to just 175 pieces, and regulated by NOMOS as a chronometer would be.

Beautiful details paying tribute to the past

These three new versions of Ludwig have traditional features that are unusual for NOMOS timepieces—making them even more classic. To start, all three have a polished, enamel-white dial, reminiscent of early pocket watches. However, modern production methods make these new watches stronger and more durable, and so even more beautiful. The rounded hands in the classic leaf form are also special—as well as tempered blue, of course, according to Glashütte tradition. They ensure that these watches are exceptionally legible. The sapphire crystal glass back features a limited- edition engraving and the addition: “175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte.”

Of the finest calibre

Alongside the hand-wound version with the NOMOS Alpha calibre (Ludwig – 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte), there are two versions with innovative automatic calibres from NOMOS Glashütte: DUW 3001 (in Ludwig neomatik 39) and DUW 6101 (in Ludwig neomatik 41 date). These two neomatik movements represent a new technical standard, as well as mechanical watchmaking taken to the highest level. Typical Glashütte features are visible through the sapphire crystal glass: the three-quarter plate, tempered blue screws, ribbed polishing, and the NOMOS swing system. This in-house designed and built escapement sets the pace inside the calibre, and NOMOS is one of only a handful of watchmaking companies worldwide able to produce it. Ludwig neomatik 41 date also features a date function with Roman numerals for the very first time. And the fact that all three models are also regulated as a chronometer would be is an extra-special feature—and a wonderful 175th anniversary gift.

The watches of the anniversary edition are available with retailers from mid-July. Their names and prices: Ludwig – 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte is priced at £1800, Ludwig neomatik 39 – 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte at £2900, and Ludwig neomatik 41 date – 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte at £3300.