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Q&ANomos’ CEO Elaborates On The Strengths Of Being Exclusively Deutsche

German watchmaking sensation Nomos has been growing from strength to strength these last couple of years. The brand’s CEO Uwe Ahrendt offers his perspective on their immense popularity, critical acclaim, and achievements in the field

Ranvijaysinh Jhala October 30, 2019

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Could you offer your perspective on the 2019 novelties from Nomos?

The new Sport watches are of really high quality, especially with the bracelet and the 1,000ft water resistance. They’re really elegant still, thanks to the calibre DUW6101, which is only 3.6mm thick. People have been asking for a Nomos bracelet for 20 years and we’ve finally come out with one. Then there’s the Duo. Because it’s the 100th anniversary year of the Bauhaus school of art, it makes sense to have them reduced in size. And these are the first four watches that Nomos started with, so it was a natural choice.

How does Nomos exemplify the true values of watchmaking?

Well, 100 percent of our movements are made in-house, including the escapement, and that’s an important distinction for us.

What advice would you offer to someone who wants to buy high-end watches, but doesn’t know much?

First of all, you must like it. Quality is key. With Nomos, we produce everything in-house—and it’s all very high in quality, especially at the prices we offer.

What are the key differences between Swiss and German watchmaking?

The value and the prices (laughs)! In Glashütte, all brands together are equivalent to less than one percent of Switzerland’s production. The quality is the same. There are equivalents. A. Lange & Söhne is like Patek Philippe, Nomos is a little bit like Longines maybe. You’ll find different price ranges, different cultures, and different designs in both industries. Glashütte is like a micro-Switzerland though, like the Vallée de Joux, from Biel to Geneva. Except that it’s not 150 to 200km long; it’s just about 5km.

Nomos keeps winning awards. What do they mean to you?

We are very pleased, but particularly to be winning more international prizes now, such as the Red Dot. Also, winning awards that are not just for watchmaking, but for design, business, etc—that’s pretty special.

Nomos has grown extremely popular, and everyone has such high expectations now. Is that scary?

It’s not scary; it’s a huge compliment that people know so much about the brand, and for us to know that it’s exactly what they want it to be. Our loyal followers usually have quite an extensive knowledge about watchmaking, so they come in and they’re impressed by the quality we offer, and not just because some DJ or celebrity wears our watches.

Above, Ahrendt is seen wearing a Nomos Ahoi watch, which borrows its design—including the numerals—from the Tangente series, but has a slightly sportier character, with elements such as the crown protector