Into The Wild With The NOMOS Glashütte Club Automatic Limited Editions

Most recently, NOMOS Glashütte launched a limited-edition collection of Club automatics. And we decided to test their mettle in the metal by taking them on a trip to the beautiful beaches and forests of California to discover more about how versatile these watches are.

NOMOS touts the Club collection as: “Young, unpretentious, and ready for everything.” That pretty much sums up the spirit of California. Where else in the world can you sun yourself poolside in the desert in the morning and still be able to catch the last ski run in the afternoon?
 

The Golden State offers so many memorable experiences that who has time to switch up watches? That’s where the new Club automatics come in. Launched in February, this limited-edition trio is available in onyx (ref. 753.S1), navy (ref. 753.S2), and olive green (ref. 753.S3). Designed for the next generation of watch enthusiasts, NOMOS Glashütte CEO Uwe Ahrendt commented that this segment was “a group of customers that have always been important to us.”
 

Accessibly priced between $2,620 and $2,920, they may be entry-level, but they are meant to last for a lifetime. Crafted for durability, the Club automatic will meet the rigors of daily life as well as any extracurricular activities. 
 

For our first stop, we took the navy version to the beach. And while we didn’t catch any early waves, we did take advantage of the stillness of morning for an only-in-Cali kind of “board meeting.” Mr. Miyagi was right – there’s something very contemplative about waxing your board, but it’s even more satisfying when you can hear the crashing surf and feel the ocean spray against your skin while you are doing it.
 

Whether you are making a big or little splash, this model comes with a hard-wearing navy blue-black textile strap. All of the Club automatics are water-resistant to 20 ATM. And all three models come in a 40mm stainless steel case with minimalist dial designs, so it is easy to read the time day or night (or fog).
 

To further prove that the Club automatic is ready for anything, we then went for a hike in the woods. California is home to some of the most incredible, especially the forests with massive and ancient coastal redwood trees. Some of these trees are almost 2,000 years old, and if the weather conditions are just right, you would swear you could hear ethereal speech with every rustle of leaves and creak of branches.
 

We brought the green-dialed version with us as we hiked through the old growth. Here again, we should talk about the ruggedness of the Club automatic. Many forests in California are home to mild, wet climates. These conditions help redwoods and other species grow to astonishing heights. At ground level, there are prehistoric rock outcroppings worn smooth by burbling brooks. Again, its water resistance and light fabric strap were well suited for the trek.
 

It’s easy to lose all sense of time while surrounded by such beauty, so it’s also helpful that the Club automatic runs on the precise and reliable in-house DUW 5001 self-winding caliber. This mechanism features NOMOS’ proprietary swing system, which is adjusted according to chronometer standards.
 

Even though it is a young company, history plays an important part in the NOMOS Glashütte story. The three watches in this limited-edition collection are part of a companywide celebration of 175 years of watchmaking in the German town of Glashütte.
 

Part of the manufacture’s success is that it can appreciate history and tradition by framing it in a new way. After experiencing the sights, sounds, and sensations of the sea and trees, we also took the time to gain more appreciation for California’s natural beauty by literally viewing it through a different lens – the camera.
 

Accompanied by the Club automatic onyx on our photo safari, this version is an excellent example of how NOMOS looks at watchmaking from a different angle.

Slightly more elegant than its navy and olive siblings, it is still very sporty. Moreover, as innovative as the movement is, NOMOS put a lot of energy into perfecting its supple steel sports bracelet. And made from 145 steel pieces screwed together, this new bracelet is closed with a proprietary deployant clasp for extra security.
 

The memory of this fun-filled adventure won’t soon fade, but it doesn’t hurt to have a few photos as souvenirs. After all, the first rule of any nature hike is to take only memories, leave only footprints. Likewise, another attractive feature of the Club automatic collection is that the back is engravable, so you can preserve a milestone in your life’s journey and carry it with you on everyday adventures.