NOMOS Ahoi

The NOMOS Ahoi has been this Glashütte-based manufacturer's sportiest collection since 2013. A case back with six screws, a screw-down crown with a distinctive protector, luminous hands and indices, and a waterproof textile strap characterize these timepieces. All of these features mean the Ahoi is well-equipped for all sorts of water activities. In fact, you can even take it diving since it is water resistant to 200 m (20 bar, 656 ft).

The design of the NOMOS Ahoi is similar to that of the Tangente. The Tangente is the most classic NOMOS watch and has been part of their catalog since 1992. Alternating Arabic numerals and indices are perhaps the most obvious details shared by both watches. However, the Ahoi's hands and hour markers are coated with SuperLuminova. This means you can always tell the time, even in the dark or underwater. A red hand on the small seconds dial and chamfered bezel lend this watch its sporty feel. The textile strap is made in France exclusively for NOMOS. A polished winged clasp adds an elegant touch and keeps this timepiece safely on the wrist.

There are numerous verions of the NOMOS Ahoi, some of which feature the in-house Neomatik caliber DUW 3001. This movement is only 3.2 mm thick. With a total height of 9.6 mm, the Ahoi Neomatik could even pass for a dress watch. Neomatik models measure 36.3 mm in diameter, making them the ideal unisex watch.

The 40-mm edition of the Ahoi is available with or without a date display. Both versions come with the choice of a white silver-plated or Atlantic blue dial. The combination of the dark blue dial with gold-plated hands feels especially elegant. At 10.6 mm thick, these wristwatches even look good in the office. There is also the Ahoi Date Siren Blue with a bright blue dial inspired by the sky over the French Riviera.

The caliber DUW 5101 ticks away inside every current Ahoi model with a date display. This movement uses the NOMOS Swing System – the company's proprietary escapement. NOMOS produces almost every component of the escapement themselves, from the balance to the lever to the escape wheel. The only part they outsource is the balance spring. This makes NOMOS one of the few watch manufacturers who is independent from the Swatch Group. Current timepieces without a date display use the in-house caliber DUW 5001, which also includes the Swing System.

A NOMOS Ahoi ref. 555 with no date and a steel case back costs around 2,600 USD new. Pre-owned, this watch sells for around 2,200 USD. Models with a sapphire glass case back are about 120 USD more. Its sister model with a blue dial comes exclusively with a sapphire glass case back. Plan to spend around 2,900 USD for a mint-condition timepiece and 2,100 USD for a pre-owned one.

Due to its extra function, the Ahoi Date is somewhat more expensive. The version with a white silver-plated dial and sapphire glass case back changes hands for about 3,200 USD new and 2,800 USD pre-owned. The Ahoi Atlantic Date demands between 3,000 and 3,200 USD.

If you would like to call a smaller Ahoi your own, you should take a closer look at the Ahoi Neomatik. At 36.3 mm, it is much smaller than the standard model and makes a great unisex watch. Prices for a mint-condition Ahoi Neomatik range from 2,800 to 3,300 USD. Pre-owned pieces cost around 2,600 USD.

The watches in the Aqua Series, which also contains some models from the NOMOS Club collection, are the top Ahoi timepieces. Eye-catching colors like siren red and siren blue characterize these watches, making them the perfect casual companions. However, they are still elegant enough to wear to the office. These colorful Neomatik watches sit in the same price range as the less conspicuous Ahoi Neomatik models.