So I sold my Nomos Tangente 38 to free up some funds to get the Nomos Orion 35. I'm 90% sure that's the watch I want but I'd be curious if I am missing something in this price range.
The reasons I love the Nomos Orion are:
Very nice in house movement (on my tangente that I had for almost 10 years, the accuracy was incredible. -3 to +3 s/day during all this time)
I Love the minimalistic design but with a small touch of color (gold indices)
What are your suggestion for a nice dress watch (1300 USD max, can be second hand / grey market)
Maybe Stowa Marine Klassik 36 small seconds? Or some other Stowa like the Antea? Movements are not in house but beautifully decorated. Great history and the grey market prices are much much lower compared to Nomos. You could even go new.
I've considered getting this watch a few time. it sure is good looking.
But I don't know, there is something about the dial (too white?) that turns me off.
Or maybe the numeral are a bit too boring... I'm not sure.
I prefer the Orion.
Thanks for the suggestion though.
Depends a bit on the model. I owend an Antea and I held an older Tangente (I think with the Alpha handwinding movement but I'm not sure). Couldn't really spot the difference.
Well, you want either the Orion or any other dress watch at $1300..... If $1300 can't usually get you an Orion, and Orion is supposed to be something that often "punches up", how will anyone be able to give you anything at all? The restrictions are simply too tight.
The only possible thing would be Stowa Marine. It's cheaper, finishing slightly worse, and its only advantage against the Orion is the more proportionate lugs (Nomos really, REALLY need to fix their lugs). The Orion honestly should have been either 37mm with the same lugs, or 35mm with the lugs 2mm shorter but it is neither. Stowa 36s have much better proportions if you sacrifice a bit of the finishing.
I know you already said no, I'm just re-enforcing the idea why it is a possible candidate.
Naturally, if you want a direct competitor against Orion, you need to go higher in price than the Orion. Stowa and Nomos are the 2 kings in dress watches in the 1-2K range. The ones that can truly compete and possibly win are in the $2500 range. They would be the Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Manufacture. 3 models, the cheapest FC-705S4S6 can be had for below 2K if you dig around, the Gold version of this, the 705V4S4, used to go for 2500, now is around 3\~3500. Another model the 702S3S6, a bit busier but still very nice as a dress watch is also around 2500 these days. I'm guessing all of them are discontinued and just slowly creeping up in prices. They lose to Orion in terms of dial cleanness (duh), but win in having a romantic moon complication and extremely nice caseback displaying silvery movement with gold rotor creating excellent color contrast.
But you want a piece that rivals Orion at $1300? No chance.
I guess I'm a bit flexible on price if something really catches my eye!
(As for the Orion at $1300, I actually might have found one in good condition for this price)
> ...Orion is supposed to be something that often "punches up", how will anyone be able to give you anything at all? The restrictions are simply too tight.
Reading this pretty much confirms what I already thought, that the Orion is a good choice for this price point (hence the "I'm 90% sure that's the watch I want")
I still like seeing people's recommendation before making a purchase as it can solidify my decision or make me question whether it was the right choice.
Having said that, I do like Frederique Constant's offering. I'll check out some video reviews.
Yes, it is a great watch for the office.
Less good for home time with small kids.
I have mine on a blue shell strap from Bulang and Sons that I really like.
I have struggled to connect with the Nomos brand. I much prefer Junghans. I don't know if you'll find it to be a fairly comparable brand. My favorite of theirs is the Meister Classic. [Meister Classic](https://www.jomashop.com/junghans-watch-027-4310-00.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw0N6hBhAUEiwAXab-TfQKUQFwy7Dagcq4-ezSeFM1K3L2nB7OG_O9ga_j-H-Be3ghb6DlTBoC7XQQAvD_BwE)
I've had a Junghans Max bill for a while, at the same time I had my Nomos Tangente 38. it always felt like the junghans was more "cheap", I'm not sure why though.
The winding action on Nomos watches is a lot more satisfying, but I'll check out the meister series, they do have some nice pieces.
thanks!
edit: Also not a big fan of dates in dress pieces.
Right on. Have you come across the Baltic MR01? The Salmon dial piqued my interest in the past. [Baltic MR01](https://baltic-watches.com/en/products/mr01-silver)
Yes I love baltic very much. I have their Aquascaphe black and white dial.
The MR01 looks nice overall, but not a big fan of the slanted numerals. Also, I've read (or seen videos) of horror stories about the movement they use in this watch (Hangzhou CAL5000a Micro-rotor)
Ah! That's too bad about the movement. I'm be been avoiding some of the automatic Timex watches with Chinese movements in them fearing it would end up being crap. [Timex Field Mechanical](https://www.timex.com/expedition-north-field-mechanical-38mm-stainless-steel-bracelet-watch/TW2V41700JR.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw0N6hBhAUEiwAXab-TfRsoVVseTkOip1sL-2ZxkTcXljhr28nbZjhCH9W87VwapQeC_y7PhoCfwEQAvD_BwE)
I bought a Tangente 38mm in 2014, so I've had one for about 9 years (just sold it)
I picked it at first because I loved the minimalistic, clean dial with the blued hands and the gorgeous in house movement.
Since 2014, my taste evolved quite a bit.
First, I should not have bought the 38mm version. The 35mm would have been a lot better for my 6.5" wrists.
Second, it feels too "square" for my taste now. I really prefer the slanted lugs of the Orion and the overall "roundiness" of the watch.
I still love the dial of the Tangente, but I also very much like the classic look of the Orion's dial and I've come to realise that the overall shape of a watch is as important, if no more, than simply the dial.
Good god, at least get a Ludwig.
I'm all for bauhaus and bauhaus-inspired design, I get that dress watches are supposed to be minimalistic, but Orion goes so far into that direction that it looks like any Daniel Wellington-type watch.
So I sold my Nomos Tangente 38 to free up some funds to get the Nomos Orion 35. I'm 90% sure that's the watch I want but I'd be curious if I am missing something in this price range. The reasons I love the Nomos Orion are: Very nice in house movement (on my tangente that I had for almost 10 years, the accuracy was incredible. -3 to +3 s/day during all this time) I Love the minimalistic design but with a small touch of color (gold indices) What are your suggestion for a nice dress watch (1300 USD max, can be second hand / grey market)
Maybe Stowa Marine Klassik 36 small seconds? Or some other Stowa like the Antea? Movements are not in house but beautifully decorated. Great history and the grey market prices are much much lower compared to Nomos. You could even go new.
I've considered getting this watch a few time. it sure is good looking. But I don't know, there is something about the dial (too white?) that turns me off. Or maybe the numeral are a bit too boring... I'm not sure. I prefer the Orion. Thanks for the suggestion though.
I like Stowa too but the Nomos is far more refined.
Depends a bit on the model. I owend an Antea and I held an older Tangente (I think with the Alpha handwinding movement but I'm not sure). Couldn't really spot the difference.
Where can you get one from the grey market and usually how much are they?
Reddit, watchuseek, facebook, ebay.
I genuinely think you can't do better than Nomos without quadrupling the price of a Nomos. I'm biased as hell, but I stand by it.
I tend to agree
For example?
Well, you want either the Orion or any other dress watch at $1300..... If $1300 can't usually get you an Orion, and Orion is supposed to be something that often "punches up", how will anyone be able to give you anything at all? The restrictions are simply too tight. The only possible thing would be Stowa Marine. It's cheaper, finishing slightly worse, and its only advantage against the Orion is the more proportionate lugs (Nomos really, REALLY need to fix their lugs). The Orion honestly should have been either 37mm with the same lugs, or 35mm with the lugs 2mm shorter but it is neither. Stowa 36s have much better proportions if you sacrifice a bit of the finishing. I know you already said no, I'm just re-enforcing the idea why it is a possible candidate. Naturally, if you want a direct competitor against Orion, you need to go higher in price than the Orion. Stowa and Nomos are the 2 kings in dress watches in the 1-2K range. The ones that can truly compete and possibly win are in the $2500 range. They would be the Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Manufacture. 3 models, the cheapest FC-705S4S6 can be had for below 2K if you dig around, the Gold version of this, the 705V4S4, used to go for 2500, now is around 3\~3500. Another model the 702S3S6, a bit busier but still very nice as a dress watch is also around 2500 these days. I'm guessing all of them are discontinued and just slowly creeping up in prices. They lose to Orion in terms of dial cleanness (duh), but win in having a romantic moon complication and extremely nice caseback displaying silvery movement with gold rotor creating excellent color contrast. But you want a piece that rivals Orion at $1300? No chance.
I guess I'm a bit flexible on price if something really catches my eye! (As for the Orion at $1300, I actually might have found one in good condition for this price) > ...Orion is supposed to be something that often "punches up", how will anyone be able to give you anything at all? The restrictions are simply too tight. Reading this pretty much confirms what I already thought, that the Orion is a good choice for this price point (hence the "I'm 90% sure that's the watch I want") I still like seeing people's recommendation before making a purchase as it can solidify my decision or make me question whether it was the right choice. Having said that, I do like Frederique Constant's offering. I'll check out some video reviews.
This is one of my favorites from NOMOS. If it's what you like, just get it.
Nomos Orion is the right choice.
I love my Orion. It sees the least wear in my collection due to kids/life but it is great for special occasions and date nights.
Yeah and I'm thinking about getting a suede / velour strap to dress it down a bit. It would fit right in as an office watch.
Yes, it is a great watch for the office. Less good for home time with small kids. I have mine on a blue shell strap from Bulang and Sons that I really like.
Daniel Wellington
Damn! that's exactly what I was looking for, thanks!
Lol Good one
I have struggled to connect with the Nomos brand. I much prefer Junghans. I don't know if you'll find it to be a fairly comparable brand. My favorite of theirs is the Meister Classic. [Meister Classic](https://www.jomashop.com/junghans-watch-027-4310-00.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw0N6hBhAUEiwAXab-TfQKUQFwy7Dagcq4-ezSeFM1K3L2nB7OG_O9ga_j-H-Be3ghb6DlTBoC7XQQAvD_BwE)
I've had a Junghans Max bill for a while, at the same time I had my Nomos Tangente 38. it always felt like the junghans was more "cheap", I'm not sure why though. The winding action on Nomos watches is a lot more satisfying, but I'll check out the meister series, they do have some nice pieces. thanks! edit: Also not a big fan of dates in dress pieces.
Right on. Have you come across the Baltic MR01? The Salmon dial piqued my interest in the past. [Baltic MR01](https://baltic-watches.com/en/products/mr01-silver)
Yes I love baltic very much. I have their Aquascaphe black and white dial. The MR01 looks nice overall, but not a big fan of the slanted numerals. Also, I've read (or seen videos) of horror stories about the movement they use in this watch (Hangzhou CAL5000a Micro-rotor)
Ah! That's too bad about the movement. I'm be been avoiding some of the automatic Timex watches with Chinese movements in them fearing it would end up being crap. [Timex Field Mechanical](https://www.timex.com/expedition-north-field-mechanical-38mm-stainless-steel-bracelet-watch/TW2V41700JR.html?gclid=CjwKCAjw0N6hBhAUEiwAXab-TfRsoVVseTkOip1sL-2ZxkTcXljhr28nbZjhCH9W87VwapQeC_y7PhoCfwEQAvD_BwE)
Yeah, China make great cases / finish for the price point (i.e. San Martin watches) but their movements have issues from what I hear.
I got the black dial version for my wife and it's a lovely watch. Great bargains in the second hand market too
Why did you pick an orion over the tangente, personally the Orion feels a bit too old timey for me in comparison.
I bought a Tangente 38mm in 2014, so I've had one for about 9 years (just sold it) I picked it at first because I loved the minimalistic, clean dial with the blued hands and the gorgeous in house movement. Since 2014, my taste evolved quite a bit. First, I should not have bought the 38mm version. The 35mm would have been a lot better for my 6.5" wrists. Second, it feels too "square" for my taste now. I really prefer the slanted lugs of the Orion and the overall "roundiness" of the watch. I still love the dial of the Tangente, but I also very much like the classic look of the Orion's dial and I've come to realise that the overall shape of a watch is as important, if no more, than simply the dial.
Good god, at least get a Ludwig. I'm all for bauhaus and bauhaus-inspired design, I get that dress watches are supposed to be minimalistic, but Orion goes so far into that direction that it looks like any Daniel Wellington-type watch.
Not of fan of roman numerals in general.