NOMOS Ludwig

5 Reasons to Buy a Ludwig

• High-quality German watches
• Classic, elegant design with Roman numerals and a thin bezel
• Extremely flat cases
• Top models with a Neomatik caliber, the NOMOS Swing System, and a date display
• The ideal dress watch for the office

A Traditional Watch Inspired by Bauhaus

The NOMOS Ludwig is sophisticated and classic, yet still casual. Its Roman numerals, delicate indices, and railroad minute scale make the Ludwig the Glashütte-based manufacturer's most traditional watch. This timepiece is available in six sizes, each of which features a thin bezel, narrow lugs, and flat case.

Every NOMOS Ludwig contains a state-of-the-art in-house automatic or manual caliber. These movements are especially flat. The collection's Neomatik models include the NOMOS Swing System. This is the company's in-house escapement, which is comprised of a balance, lever, and escape wheel. Having a proprietary escapement means NOMOS is no longer dependent upon Swiss suppliers. Very few watch manufacturers are able to produce their own escapements.

The highlight of this collection is the NOMOS Ludwig Neomatik 41 Date. The DUW 6101 ticks away inside this 40.5-mm timepiece. The DUW 6101, which premiered in 2018, is only 3.6 mm thick and also powers the Tangente Neomatik 41 Update and the Orion Neomatik 41 Date. Since NOMOS decided to do without the railroad minute scale for the Ludwig Netomatik 41 Date, it feels slightly more youthful than its sister models.

How much does a NOMOS Ludwig cost?

Prices for Manual Watches

The manual caliber Alpha appears in almost every NOMOS collection, including in numerous Ludwig models. At only 2.6 mm thick, this movement is particularly flat and allows for a total case thickness of just 6.5 mm. It is the ideal movement for classic dress watches.

The smallest Ludwig is 33 mm in diameter and makes a great women's watch. The NOMOS Ludwig 33 Champagne feels especially feminine thanks to its champagne-colored dial and beige suede strap. You can purchase this timepiece with a sapphire glass case back for around 1,500 USD. Models with a steel case back are a bit less expensive. The version with a white dial and steel case back is this collection's most affordable watch and costs around 1,300 USD new. With a sapphire glass case back, this timepiece sells for about 1,400 USD. You may even find individual pre-owned watches for less than 1,200 USD.

The NOMOS Ludwig 38 is more of a men's watch thanks to its 37.5-mm case. You can choose from models with or without a date display. The date display of the Ludwig 38 Date sits just below the small seconds dial at 6 o'clock. With a white dial and tempered hands, this timepiece demands around 2,000 USD new and 1,900 USD pre-owned. The version without a date display is even more affordable. Models with a steel case back change hands for 1,600 USD in mint condition and 1,400 USD pre-owned. Those with a sapphire glass case back cost only slightly more.

The 35-mm NOMOS Ludwig is a great unisex watch. This model is the original Ludwig and has been in production since it premiered alongside the Tangente, Orion, and Tetra in 1992. These four watches were the first to be released by NOMOS. The 35-mm Ludwig also comes with the choice of a steel or sapphire glass case back. Prices for this NOMOS classic range from 1,200 USD for a pre-owned timepiece to 1,400 USD for one in mint condition. Be sure to set aside an additional 120 USD for a watch with a sapphire glass case back.

Prices for the Ludwig with an Automatic Movement

If you prefer the convenience of an automatic watch, the Ludwig collection also has timepieces for you. The current 40-mm models look nice on larger wrists and are each powered by either the caliber DUW 5001 or the DUW 5101 with a date display. Both versions offer the same characteristic Ludwig dial design. A Ludwig Automatic with no date costs around 2,300 USD new. You can get pre-owned examples for about 1,800 USD. Models with a date display sell for between 2,500 USD pre-owned and 2,800 USD new.

The 36-mm NOMOS Ludwig Neomatik is yet another typical unisex NOMOS watch. Neomatik watches have a more youthful and fresh design. They replace the railroad minute scale of the other Ludwig models with small indices and Arabic numerals every 5 minutes. The Ludwig Neomatik Champagne feels especially feminine thanks to its beige leather strap and champagne-gold dial. Orange indices and Roman numerals contrast beautifully against the dial and rhodium-plated hands. You can purchase this timepiece in mint condition for around 2,700 USD. Pre-owned watches cost slightly less, but are still rare due to this model's young age. The version with a white silver-plated dial changes hands for about 2,500 USD. Once again, pre-owned models are rare and only slightly more affordable.

The NOMOS Ludwig Neomatik 41 Date is this collection's most expensive model and demands around 3,100 USD new. The current price difference between new and pre-owned watches is negligible.

Rare NOMOS Ludwig Models

Gold NOMOS watches are a rarity. Only two of their collections feature exclusively gold timepieces: the Lambda and the Lux. The Metro collection also includes a gold model. With a list price of 9,700 USD, it is one of the manufacturer's most expensive watches.

There is also a gold version of the NOMOS Ludwig, which bears the reference number 211. The Ludwig Gold comes with an 18-karat yellow gold case and a mocha or white dial. The manual Alpha caliber powers these timepieces. Well-maintained examples sell for around 5,800 USD.

The NOMOS Ludwig Siemens is also quite rare. Every Siemens employee receives this watch after 40 years with the company. You can recognize this watch by the small bust of Werner von Siemens on the dial below 12 o'clock and the "SIEMENS" inscription at 6. Prices for this stainless steel timepiece begin under 1,200 USD. The gold version of the Ludwig Siemens is even rarer and only given to employees after 50 years of service.