Why I Purchased It: Nomos Ahoi Ref. 552 – It is Each Comparatively Reasonably priced And Very Versatile

Generally the appropriate watch has a method of discovering you rather than the opposite method round. And that occurred to me final yr:  I had one among my watches up on the market after which determined I’d even be open for a commerce, so I listed 5 manufacturers I used to be keen on. One among them was Nomos.

I’m nonetheless very keen on my Nomos Minimatik Ref.1203. I fell in love with it when the model launched this mannequin a few years in the past in Baselworld and was capable of decide my very own a few years later on the manufacture in Glashütte, Germany. I’ve been keen on it ever since and wouldn’t thoughts proudly owning one other one. That chance got here reasonably rapidly as only a day after I posted my advert, a pleasant gentleman from Germany contacted me, politely asking if I may be keen on a Nomos Ahoi Ref.552.

Nomos Ahoi Ref. 552

A trip watch

I hadn’t considered the Ahoi once I wrote my advert, however as I thought of it, it was as if a lacking puzzle piece had fallen into place. I used to be about to go on a summer season trip and deciding on the appropriate watch to take is at all times tough for me. I don’t wish to journey with a couple of watch, so I want one that may do all of it i.e., swim within the ocean, go to museums, and go to good eating places. The watch additionally ought to have a way of refinement, however (for security causes) not ooze being unique and costly.

A mechanical motion is obligatory and ideally no date: I don’t need to be reminded what number of days I’ve left on my trip. That’s fairly an inventory of necessities and I normally go along with a pleasant diver’s watch. Nevertheless, once I noticed the photographs of the Nomos Ahoi despatched to me by the German gentleman, I believed it was a super journey companion. A deal was struck, and the Ahoi joined my Minimatik.

Nomos Ahoi Ref. 552

What’s to not love?

I had seen the Ahoi earlier than, however normally throughout a press assembly, which means you might have it in your hand for a couple of minutes after which transfer on to a different mannequin. Proudly owning it’s a totally different expertise. The very first hours carrying a brand new watch normally decide its destiny: will it stay in my assortment or will it go? The Ahoi instantly ticked all of the bins. With a diameter of 40.3 mm it’s largish however not overly so. The screw-down crown is protected by a neat crown guard that’s in concord with the slender lugs. These lugs additionally make the watch put on barely bigger than its diameter signifies. The truth that, like many Nomos watches, the Ahoi is all dial additionally makes it look bigger than it’s.

Nomos Ahoi Ref. 552

The darkish coloration of the dial makes it look understated and discreet. It has a stupendous matte charcoal end on which the beige markers and numerals stand out. Additionally they match the gold tone of the slender fingers. That is actually Nomos at its finest as a result of it’s a reliable sports activities watch with distinct gown watch qualities. Essentially the most hanging element to me is the fluorescent purple/orange hand of the sub-seconds. Like that good espresso after a luxurious meal, the brilliant coloration is simply what is required and brings the Ahoi to a fair larger tier of pleasing aesthetics. It additionally retains the watch from being too critical, including a touch of playfulness that fits it very effectively. 

It strikes me

I’m an enormous fan of Nomos actions, as they’re at all times made with care and dedication, effectively completed, and don’t value you an arm and a leg to purchase or preserve. Caliber DUW 5001 is made within the model’s manufacture in Glashütte and has all of the treats that make any watch connoisseur’s mouth water. With a peak of solely 4.3 mm it’s pleasantly slender. It options the well-known Glashütte three-quarter plate, stop-seconds mechanism, bidirectional winding oscillating weight, and a tempered blue stability spring. The screws have an analogous blued therapy and go very properly with the Glashütte ribbing and Nomos perlage decorations, as does the ratchet and duplex wheel that includes a Glashütte sunburst. It might probably all be admired by means of the sapphire insert within the caseback, which is secured by six screws contributing to a formidable water resistance of 200 meters.

Nomos Caliber DUW 5001 motion seen by means of the show caseback of the Ahoi Ref. 552

The one factor I would fault is the comparatively low energy reserve of 43 hours. Nevertheless, because the Ahoi winds routinely very effectively on the wrist, that hasn’t bothered me, though an extended energy reserve would give it much more aggressive specs. 

Me and Nomos straps

As a lot as I’m a fan of Nomos watches, I’ve but to fall in love with their straps. Whereas the Horween leather-based strap on my Minimatik may be very properly made, I by no means loved carrying it, so I changed it with one thing else. The identical with the Ahoi. To me, the watch is method too high-end to be worn with the usual woven textile strap. It might look sporty, however it didn’t sit comfortably on my wrist and I believed I might do higher.

Ace Jewelers strap and buckle

I nonetheless had an incredible textured strap product of wooden by Ace Jewelers in Amsterdam that each supplied the specified carrying consolation and elevated the look of the Nomos to my style.

Nomos Ahoi Ref. 552

What was initially meant to be a trip watch is now firmly in my common rotation. However that’s what occurs when a watch chooses you.

For extra data, please go to https://nomos-glashuette.com/en/ahoi/ 

Fast Info Nomos Glashütte Ahoi Ref.552
Case: 40.3 x 10.6 mm, chrome steel, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Motion: automated in-house Caliber DUW 5001, 43-hour energy reserve, 3 Hz/21,600 vph frequency, Glashütte three-quarter plate, Swing System escapement
Features: hours, minutes, small hacking seconds
Value: $4,060/€3,060 (retail value in 2020, not a part of present assortment anymore)

You may also take pleasure in:

Why I Purchased It: Nomos Glashütte Minimatik

Nomos Glashütte Metro Neomatik 41 Replace: ‘Relationship’ A Basic

Nomos Glashütte Lambda In Stainless Metal: Celebrating 175 Years Of Positive Watchmaking In Glashütte

Nomos Glashütte Ahoi Atlantik: Setting Sail As A Nice Summer season Watch