The Timeline: News from A. Lange & Söhne, Longines & NOMOS

We are approaching the end of the year but there is hardly any lull among the manufacturers, rather the opposite. Over the past few weeks three pieces of news have caught our attention, and that from three completely different directions. We are talking German elegance from Glashütte, Swiss heritage in a new guise and a worldtimer, that one also from Glashütte.

Text: Andreas Johansson

A. Lange & Söhne – Saxonia Thin, onyx 

We start in Glashütte where A. Lange & Söhne dusts off its Saxonia Thin, but in new attire. The elegant and stripped-down model now gets its third iteration with an onyx dial, this time in a case of platinum or Lange's own developed alloy Honeygold. It is still the same minimalist layout we recognise, two hands, no indexes and a mirror-bright dial that shifts subtly with the light. The watch still measures 40 mm in diameter and only 6,2 mm in height, which makes it one of the most elegant watches in the brand's lineup. Inside ticks Lange's manual calibre L093.1 with 72 hours of power reserve, a movement that is not only technically competent but also ridiculously beautiful. 

Longines – Ultra-Chron Classic, 1967 

From German finesse to Swiss nostalgia. Longines continues its strong run of Ultra-Chron models and now presents a reinterpretation of a classic from 1967. The new model comes in two sizes: 37mm as well as 40mm for you who want a little more presence on the wrist. The dials come in silver colour with a clean and vintage-inspired layout. The case is brushed with polished facets, and the whole watch reeks of the 60s with a modern update. Inside sits the Longines L836.6, an automatic movement with 52 hours of power reserve. Details like sapphire crystal, 100 metres of water resistance and the included NATO strap make this a strong package for the price tag, which starts at around 3,800 CHF.

NOMOS Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer – Night Navigation

NOMOS are known for doing things their own way and the new Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer is no exception. With inspiration from cartography and engineering design come three new colours in what they now call the ”Night Navigation” series: Trace, Grid and Vector. What sets these models apart is the design, we get a clear, somewhat futuristic dial in dark colours with luminous markings that give a distinct nocturnal aesthetic. It is a world time watch but not as you are used to instead of listing cities on a ring NOMOS uses a clever system with two discs and a ”home”/”away” system that makes it both easy and playful to change time zone. The cases measure 40,5 mm, are water resistant to 200 metres and come on a matching sports bracelet. Inside ticks the NOMOS automatic DUW 5201, an in-house movement with 43 hours of power reserve.