Nomos Glashuette  Tangomat  Watches

NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat: An Ode to the Bauhaus Movement 

The German watchmaking company NOMOS Glashütte is famous for its modernist style inspired by the Bauhaus art movement. These are reflected in its different models, from the sleek, square-shaped NOMOS Glashütte Tetra and the clean and round NOMOS Glashütte Tangente, which remains to be the brand’s bestseller. 

Taking cues from the award-winning design of its Tangente watches, NOMOS released a bigger version of it: the NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat, released in 2005. Featuring a bigger case size and an automatic caliber, the NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat is perfect for those who love the minimalist approach of the Tangente but prefer a bigger dial. It is also the brand’s first automatic watch with a 42- or 43-hour power reserve, with its top model boasting a GMT function. Like its predecessor, the Tangomat watch has received several awards like the Goldene Unruh and iF Product Design Award.

Prices at a Glance: Most Popular NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat Watches

Curious about how much a NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat watch is? Here’s a helpful guide on the most popular Tangomat watches, their prices, and their features. Take note that this table includes limited-edition NOMOS Tangomat watches as well.

4. How much does a NOMOS Glashutte Tangomat watch cost?

Like the other NOMOS watches, the Tangomat is a mid-range watch in terms of budget. Depending on the design and complication, the NOMOS Tangomat can cost you less than$ 5,000 USD.

Prices for the NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat Classic Watches

The NOMOS Glashutte Tangomat Ref. 601 is the perfect introductory watch to the collection, costing only $2,599 USD. Powered by a DUW 5001 caliber, the NOMOS dress watch has a 43-hour power reserve and a water resistance of up to 30 meters. Like the Tangente watch, this Tangomat watch has a white-silver plated dial which allows the tempered blue steel hands and black indexes to stand out. In addition, the watch also comes with a small seconds counter at 6 o’clock. It comes with stainless steel back although you can cop one with a sapphire crystal case back for $3,280 USD.

Prices for the NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat Date Models

From the classic design of the Tangomat watches, NOMOS Glashütte added a date window which eventually became the NOMOS Glashutte Tangomat Date Ref. 692. Aside from the small seconds counter at 6 o’clock, a date window is also included below it, making it easier to see everything in one look. This particular model of the Tangomat watch has won several awards, winning third place for the Uhr des Jahres award in 2007 and first place for Category A at the Goldene Unruh in 2013. The Tangomat Date retails for $2,579 USD.

Prices for the NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat Ruthenium Watches

Some NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat watches also come in a black dial, in contrast with the stark white dials of the classic model. The NOMOS Glashutte Tangomat Ruthenium Ref. 603 is the collection’s representative black watch. Priced at $2,439 USD, the watch features a galvanized ruthenium-plated dial and polished rhodium-plated hands. Its sapphire crystal case back allows you to see the intricate mechanism behind the watch, including rubies, blue screws, and the in-house DUW 5001 caliber that powers the watch.

Prices for the NOMOS Glashutte Tangomat GMT Range

Despite being a simple dress watch, the NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat also offers watches with impressive complications. The NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat GMT Ref. 635 serves as the collection’s top model, boasting a GMT function and a 24-hour indicator. It is powered by a DUW 5201 automatic movement, equipped with the patented date mechanism seen from the sapphire crystal case back. What sets it apart from other Tangomat watches is that the case size is bigger at 40mm as compared to the usual 38.3mm diameter. NOMOS Tangomat GMT also has its fair share of awards and recognition, winning first place for the Kleine Komplikation category at the 2012 Munichtime and the iF Product Design Award in 2013. This award-winning watch retails at $4,920 USD.

Prices for the NOMOS Glashutte Tangomat for Doctors Without Borders Germany Series

In 2019, NOMOS Glashütte released a limited edition Tangomat watch in honor of the Nobel Prize-winning organization Doctors Without Borders. The NOMOS Tangomat for Doctors Without Borders Germany, priced at $3,280 USD, features a white silver-plated dial and black hands and indexes, save for the red-colored 12 o’clock marker. It also has a small seconds counter and Ärzte Ohne Grenzen engraving at 6 o’clock and a bracelet strap, the first in NOMOS watches. 

History Behind the Collection

NOMOS Glashütte is an independent German watchmaking company founded in 1990 by Roland Schwertner, a photographer and IT expert. They released their first collection of watches in 1992, namely the NOMOS Glashütte Tetra, NOMOS Glashütte Tangente, NOMOS Glashütte Orion, and the NOMOS Glashütte Ludwig. Since its release, NOMOS gained attention for its minimal design inspired by the Bauhaus movement. Additionally, its watches also became a household name in German watchmaking because of their affordable price tag despite being an independent manufacturer.

NOMOS enjoyed a sufficient amount of success with its first collections, winning awards at different competitions and conventions. In 2005, NOMOS Glashütte introduced a new collection of watches inspired by the best-selling Tangente, the NOMOS Tangomat. The Tangomat has the same sleek design, angular lugs, and Bauhaus-inspired dial, except that it has a bigger case design. Another difference between the Tangomat and the Tangente is its movements. Unlike most NOMOS watches powered by mechanical movement, the Tangomat has an automatic caliber. In fact, the NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat is the brand’s first automatic watch, powered by the in-house DUW 5001 movement.

Over the years, NOMOS would introduce new additions and upgrades to the original Tangomat design. For the Tangomat Date, a small date window was added under the small seconds sub-dial. The German brand would also introduce a new color scheme using ruthenium, a kind of platinum that gave the watch its polished black dial. NOMOS Glashütte also released a combination of the Tangomat Date’s date display and the dial of the Ruthenium, the NOMOS Tangomat Ruthenium Date. For its top model, a 24-hour indicator and a GMT function were added to the simple yet functional dial.

Aside from its mass-produced models, NOMOS Tangomat also released several limited edition watches. To commemorate 100 years of the Bauhaus art movement, NOMOS Glashütte debuted limited edition Tangomat watches. These have a sketch paper-like dial with an outer ring that comes in red, yellow, and blue, colors that were important to the art movement. Limited edition watches were also released for Doctors Without Borders Germany, a non-governmental organization, and Juwelier Rüschenbeck, a German retailer.

Reasons to Buy a NOMOS Glashutte Tangomat Watch

For those hesitant in purchasing a Tangomat watch, here are a few reasons to get this NOMOS Glashütte watch:

1. Award-winning design

Similar to the Tangente, the NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat has been recognized in several design competitions and magazines for its designs. Just a year after its release, the Tangomat Date won third place at the annual Goldene Unruh, one of the most prestigious awards in German watchmaking. Its design has also won awards at Viennatime and Munichtime and won the Red Dot Design Award, iF Product Design Award, and Uhr des Jahres (Watch of the Year).

2. Good value for money

Unlike other brands which have a steep price tag, Tangomat NOMOS Glashütte watches are relatively affordable, with some of the cheapest models costing less than 3,000 USD. Models with complications like a GMT function are also affordable, retailing at 4,920 USD. Considering its in-house calibers and German craftsmanship, the Tangomat is definitely a good purchase.

3. German automatic watch

At its debut in 2005, Tangomat watches carried NOMOS Glashütte’s first in-house caliber. Powered by DUW 5001, DUW 5201, and DUW 5101 movements, its watches boast an impressive winding accuracy. In addition, the DUW 5201 movement features the patented NOMOS world timer function, while the DUW 5101 movement is equipped with the patented NOMOS date mechanism.

4. Bigger Case Size

Those who love Tangente’s design and overall look will also appreciate the NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat watch’s bigger case size. Coupled with the slimness of its dial makes it a perfect dress watch.

Uncomplicated and Well-Loved Watches

Following the footsteps of the Tangente, NOMOS Glashütte Tangomat watches offer the same uncomplicated design that made the Tangente a well-loved watch. However, it comes with bigger case size and an automatic movement, a first for the brand. With its automatic movement, it guarantees even more precise and accurate timekeeping. Its history of awards also guarantees its prestige as a German automatic watch.