Hands-on Review: Nomos Glashütte Ludwig 38 enamel white and Ludwig duo 33 enamel white

Review of the Nomos Glashuette Ludwig 38 enamel white and Ludwig duo 33 enamel white. Classic lines, elegant dials, accessible prices from € 1,060

Following the launch of the three Ludwig limited editions launched in July to celebrate 175 years of watchmaking art practiced in the small Saxon town of Glashütte, Nomos Glashütte has also released two new Ludwig models that will not be limited and will be added to the collection of the brand: the Ludwig 38 enamel white and the Ludwig duo 33 enamel white.

The two models differ for the diameter of the case - 38 mm or 33 mm - as well as for the dial, with or without the small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock (the "duo" in the name of the smaller model refers to the fact that it only features two hands).

The first watch, whose exact measures are 37.5 mm in diameter and 6.7 mm in thickness, can really fit wrists of any size while the second (32.8 mm x 6.5 mm) is particularly suited to more slender wrists.

Crafted from stainless steel, the cases have a tripartire construction with polished surfaces that highlight the classic design. They are water resistant to a pressure of up to 3 ATM (approximately 30 metres / 100 feet) which makes the watch splashproof.  

 

The slim bezels leave space to the beautiful dials whose light surface transparency resembles enamel (hence the name of these models). To achieve this refined look, Nomos uses a high-gloss lacquer to coat the dials in several layers. After the application of each layer, the dial is polished before the next layer is applied.

Although this is is not vitreous enamel (which it would not be possible to offer at this price level), the aesthetic result makes these watches very attractive. The combination with Roman numerals, railroad minute markers and tempered blue needle-thin hands creates an ensemble of great elegance.

These new models are available with two caseback options that you can choose at order time: a solid steel caseback that can be optionally engraved, ideal in case of a gift that celebrates a special occasion, or a transparent sapphire crystal that reveals the movement.

The 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour) Alpha is the most widely used in-house manufactured calibre of the brand. Offering an autonomy of 43 hours, this hand-wound movement with the typical three-quarter plate is meticulously refined with Glashütte ribbing, tempered blue screws, and perlage. Features include a stop-seconds mechanism.

The two watches are completed by a smooth yet robust remborde strap crafted from Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan and secured to the wrist by a polished steel pin buckle with the engraved logo of the brand. 

With their classic lines, the refined dials of great elegance and the accurate and reliable in-house produced mechanical movement, these timepieces will never go out of style. The accessible pricing makes them even more appealing. 

Prices:

Ludwig 33 duo enamel white with solid caseback ref. 242: Euro 1,060 / US$ 1,380

Ludwig 33 duo enamel white with sapphire caseback caseback ref. 249: Euro 1,280 / US$ 1,680

Ludwig 38 enamel white with solid caseback ref. 236: Euro 1,580 / US$ 1,960

Ludwig 38 enamel white with sapphire caseback caseback ref. 237: Euro 1,800 / US$ 2,260 

Thanks to a lug width of 19 mm, the 38 mm model can optionally be equipped with a slender and light satin brushed bracelet in stainless steel. nomos-glashuette.com