RACING ON THE DESIGN AUTOBAHN
Nomos Glashütte has once more wowed with the aesthetics of its latest pieces
As Nomos Glashütte constantly fetches awards for its austere timepieces, there is clearly more to minimalism than meets the eye.
Nomos Autobahn Neomatik 41 Date was the latest winner at the “Red Dot Design Award 2018”, following last year’s success of the Metro Neomatik Nachtblau with a simple dark blue dial.
A collaboration with Studio Hannes Wettstein, the ultra-thin 35.5 mm Minimatik with delicate dots and perlage on the dial received the highest distinction — Red Dot: Best Of The Best in the watch category in 2016.
Eight other models by the German brand had previously been honoured at the design competition, which recognises products with outstanding form, function, aesthetics and quality.
Renowned designers, Werner Aisslinger and half Thai-half German Tina Bunyaprasit, teamed up with the Nomos design department in creating and refining the Autobahn, which took over four years.
Aisslinger’s designs are on display, for instance, at the New York Museum of Modern Art (MoMA), the Fonds national d’art contemporain in Paris, and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
The German designer, whose studios are located in Berlin and Singapore, is also known for his work for Vitra, futuristic hotels, the Loftcube living space, greenhouse installations and renewable chairs.
However, designing a small object that sits on the wrist is new for him. On the design of the award-winning Autobahn model, he said: “It’s dashing, sporty, a powerful machine — without being brash or loud. This watch reminds me of a vintage sports car. There are definitely more contemporary modes of trans
port, but old automobiles, their form and finishing, fascinate me. And I love speed!”
Striking aspects include the depth of the dial, elongated date window displaying three days at once (yesterday, today and tomorrow) and a luminous ring of superluminova-coated bars.
“The edge of the dial is curved, like the outside lane of a racetrack — or the fender of a vintage race car. With a gentle swing, it flattens out into the watch face. And the sub-seconds dial repeats these curves,” Aisslinger explained. “Of course, the typography, the luminous ring, and the elongated date window also play an important role. The last element is reminis
cent of an odometer. But perhaps the most important characteristic is its outstanding production.” While designed in Berlin, the stainless steel Autobahn Neomatik 41 Date is made in Germany’s watch
making cradle, Glashütte, and equipped with Nomos neomatik calibre with a self-winding mechanism and a date function.
Offering water resistance to 100m, the watch comes in three variations, with the white sil
ver- plated dial lending a classic look and midnight blue or grey dials for a sporty look.
Nomos Glashütte watches are available at its counters in Paragon and Central Chidlom department stores.