Introducing: The NOMOS Glashtte Autobahn (Live Pics & Pricing)

March 21, 2018

The latest release from NOMOS Glashtte isn't an iteration on any previous design but rather something built entirely new from the ground up. The Autobahn collection includes three models created in collaboration with Werner Aisslinger and Tina Bunyaprasit of the well-regarded design studio Studio Aisslinger (similarly to how Mark Braun worked with NOMOS on the Metro). The Autobahn is, as you'd expect, inspired by automotive design, in particularly the analog dash instruments of mid-century cars. This isn't new territory for the watch world, and NOMOS and Aisslinger have touched on a number of tropes and cues that will likely feel familiar. The Autobahn is large for a NOMOS at 41mm in diameter, though its case is relatively thin and has downturned lugs to help it sit closer to the wrist. The dial shows a large swath of lume from eight o'clock to four o'clock meant to recall a speedometer and the date window shows three days at a time, a nod to an odometer. The dial itself is curved, especially noticeable near the rehaut, and the running seconds sub-dial at six o'clock is also curved and recessed for a more dramatic look. As you'd expect from NOMOS, the typography is all clear and precise, even with a lot going on. The Autobahn is an automotive-inspired watch designed with Studio Aisslinger. The date window shows three days at once. The sub-dial for the seconds is recessed and curved. Additionally, the movement inside is the caliber DUW 6101, which was created with this watch in mind. It's a larger take on the Neomatik automatic movement, with a quick-set date that works in both directions and the Swing System escapement too. The Autobahn is priced at $4,800 in all three colorways and is available from select retailers immediately. Initial Thoughts On the wrist, the Autobahn sits nice and low, though the 41mm size does feel large. Well, this is really tough for me to write, but I've got to do it: The Autobahn just doesn't do it for me. I'm a big fan of NOMOS C I wore my Tangente more than any other watch last year C?and this is the first NOMOS released in a very long time that I can't see myself wearing and enjoying. It's a strange thing to say as someone not at the company, but it just doesn't feel very "NOMOS" to me. For a brand that prides itself on clearness of purpose, thoughtfulness of design, and balance of playfulness and restraint, the Autobahn feels muddled and lost. To read the time, you have to use the shadows of the un-lumed hands against the lumed track on the dial. Some colorways do have lume on the hands, but just for the hours. Poor legibility is the most frustrating thing about this watch. The hands are extremely slim and too close in color to the dials, the three-date date window feels confused and unnecessarily complicates something that should be easy, and the placement of lume is baffling. Look at the images above C on some colorways there is lume on the hour hand (but not the minute hand) and on others you simply have to use the shadows of the hands on the brightly lumes track to read the watch in the dark. That's anything but easy. I'd honestly rather have no lume than lume like this. Things like the size and choice of colors might bother some, but to me those are personal choices and not actual design problems (the silver-plated dial's colors scheme is very handsome and subtle, for what it's worth).? Finally, the pricing doesn't do the Autobahn any favors. At $4,800, it's one of the most expensive steel watches that NOMOS makes (with only the awesome Zrich Weltzeit coming in higher). For more than $1,000 less you could get any number of outstanding NOMOS watches, from the Metro 38 to one of the new-ish Silvercut Neomatiks. The Basics Brand: NOMOS GlashtteModel: AutobahnReference Number: 1301 (silver-plated), 1302 (midnight blue), 1303 (sports grey)Diameter: 41mmThickness: 10.5mmCase Material: Stainless steelDial Color: Silver-plated, sports grey, or midnight blueIndexes: Arabic numeralsLume: Yes, on some hands and dashboard-inspired markingsWater Resistance: 100 metersStrap/Bracelet: Textile strap with stainless steel pin buckle The DUW 6101 movement was designed with this watch in mind. The Movement Caliber: NOMOS DUW 6101Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, dateDiameter: 35.2mmThickness: 3.6mmPower Reserve: 42 hoursWinding: AutomaticJewels: 27Additional Details: Regulated by NOMOS "to chronometer standards" in six positions, date transitions in just 30 minutes and can be set forward and backward, utilizes NOMOS Swing System escapement The silver-plated Autobahn The midnight blue Autobahn The sport grey Autobahn Pricing & Availability Price: $4,800Availability: Immediately via NOMOS authorized retailersFor more click here.