NOMOS celebrates 175 years of watchmaking in Glashütte with three NOMOS Ludwig 175 Years of Watchmaking in Glashütte limited edition watches. Glashütte, Osterzgebirge (EN: Ore Mountains), eastern Germany, somewhere towards the mid-19th century. The mining industry that was once the region's main economic activity is in serious decline. With opportunities being scarce, a group of luminaries and dignitaries form a plan to revitalize the area through the establishment of a watchmaking industry. Not much later the first trainees begin their new life in Glashütte. The years marks 1845, and ever since the small town of Glashütte has been associated with the art of watchmaking in one form or another. From the high-end pocket watches by A. Lange & Söhne, through the sober VEB GUB wristwatches made under the GDR regime and finally the amazing rebirth after the reunification of Germany: the watchmaking industry in Glashütte has proven to be both robust as well as resilient (to say the least). The year 2020 marks the 175th anniversary of the first watchmakers setting foot in Glashütte, which of course demands a celebration. But let's get one thing out of the way first: NOMOS is not nearly as old, nor is it claiming to be. The brand was established right after the fall of the Berlin wall in 1990, and has been an integral part of Glashütte and its community ever since. In fact, it is the largest manufacturer of mechanical timepieces in Germany, all of which are made in the little Saxon town and its surroundings. That's right, no other German watch brand produces more mechanical watches than the guys and gals over at NOMOS. NOMOS kicks off the celebrations with three limited edition Ludwig watches. As classical as its name suggests, the Ludwig is the most traditional model in the NOMOS collection, with Roman numerals and sleek lines. As such the Ludwig provides the perfect canvas to pay homage to 175 years of watchmaking heritage in Glashütte. The NOMOS Ludwig 175 Years of Watchmaking in Glashütte comes in three different sizes and executions. Each is limited to just 175 pieces, one for each year of watchmaking in in Glashütte. All three feature a lacquered white dial with Roman numerals and railroad style minute track, made to resemble the enamel dials on pocket watches of days gone by. All three see their dead-straight pencil hands replaced by a set of blue-tempered feuille-style hands. The movements are set to be regulated to chronometer-specifications, though no certificate is provided with. Finally, all three have their case backs engraved with 175 YEARS WATCHMAKING GLASHÜTTE and the individual number (X/175). Their differences? NOMOS Ludwig 35 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte 205.S2 The NOMOS Ludwig 35 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte reference 205.S2 has a stainless steel case of 35mm, which holds the hand-wound Alpha movement. The combination of size and movement make this the choice for purists. NOMOS Ludwig neomatik 39 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte 250.S1 The NOMOS Ludwig neomatik 39 Years Watchmaking Glashütte reference 250.S1 has a stainless steel case of 38.5mm, which holds the self-winding DUW 3001 neomatik movement. On a side note - this is the first appearance of the Ludwig neomatik 39 period. NOMOS Ludwig neomatik 41 date 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte 261.S1 The NOMOS Ludwig neomatik 41 date 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte reference 261.S1 has a case of 40.5mm. Power comes from the self-winding DUW 6101 neomatik movement, with its clever date function which can be set both forwards and backwards. The regular Ludwig neomatik 41 date has the date window at 4:30; here it is found at 3:00. A novel touch is added in the form of Roman numerals for the disc. To quote Louis Armstrong - 'Everything's been done before' - though I for one can't remember having seen this before. The NOMOS Ludwig 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte are available for pre-order in our eBoutique.