Introducing The Nomos Orion 1989, Celebrating The 25th Anniversary Of The Fall Of The Berlin Wall

October 09, 2014

The (Alpha) wound NOMOS Orion became a classic the very first day it hit the market. Weve covered it in-depth in A Week On The Wrist before, and were covering it again during what seems to be a season of makeovers for a couple of NOMOS families (recall the recent True Blue dial of the NOMOS Weltzeit just last month). Here, with the unveiling of the Orion 1989, NOMOS is celebrating the 25th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The Orion 1989 with a 33 mm case. This stainless version of the Orion comes in two sizes C 33 mm by 8.54 mm and 38 mm by 8.86 mm. The dial is a galvanized November gray that has a very fine eggshell-like texture thanks to diamond polishing. The hands are the simple stick, but this time gold-plated C along with eleven gold-plated, stamped hour-indices. The seconds subdial still has the circular grain to it, which along with the overall concavity of the Orions dial and case, gives both added depth and wear-ability. Around the back, you have the (Alpha) C the manually wound, wonderfully decorated in-house caliber with a 43-hour reserve and Nivarox spring. Weve praised this finish before. Details include a rhodium-plated three-quarter plate, Glashtte ribbing, perlage, heat-blued screws, and a sunburst finish on the ratchet and crown wheels. The Orion 1989 with a 38 mm case. Aesthetically speaking, NOMOS has no problem maintaining the Bauhaus design without looking too doleful. This watch is subdued but its by no means somber. The added touch of the anthracite velour leather strap guarantees this C in part because it infers an informal go-getter feel. Whether the new Orion 1989 strikes a sentimental chord with you or not, it is without a doubt a reminder of superb watchmaking initiatives that originated and thrive outside of the Swiss environment. By continuing to produce watches with in-house movements like this Orion, NOMOS has laid claim to not only 1989, but also every other year since it started innovating. It is indeed a notable stakeholder in recent horological history.For more on the NOMOS Orion 1989, click here.