Looking for a great first watch? The Nomos Club Campus could be just the ticket

Time+Tide

Editor’s note: Nomos is a habitual entrant on our ‘best in budget’ lists, and there’s a very good reason for that. Strong looks, great style and serious credibility all add up to a package that punches hard for its price tag. Case in point, the Nomos Club Campus, which was released at Baselworld a few seasons ago … 

If you’re an avid follower of our Instagram stories, you might have overheard my candid thoughts on the new entry-level Nomos as we captured some scenic pre-Basel scene-setting. As Andrew live-panned a view of the Rhine, I could be heard distinctly in the background saying, “Ooh, new Nomos … huh, not sure about that.” The reason for my reticence (I’m typically effervescent about my favourite German watch brand) was the dial, particularly those two Roman numerals on the bottom half.

First, some background on the Club. This round, slightly less classical Nomos has been a stalwart of their line-up for years. It’s always been billed as a watch for younger people, or your first ‘good’ watch. The Club Campus is, in many ways, the extension of this concept. The proposition of the Campus is that it’s explicitly aimed at students, whether as a watch to wear while you study, or as a tangible way to celebrate your graduation. What this means is that the Campus is a watch that’s been stripped back to the essentials in terms of both functionality and price.

The Club Campus is offered in a white-dialled 36mm version and larger 38mm versions in white or this deep black ‘Nacht’ colour. It’s powered by the venerable manually wound Alpha movement, which is hidden away behind a solid caseback perfect for a heartfelt message (engraving is complimentary, which is a nice touch), and all fitted on suede leather straps. So, you might not be getting some of the niceties like Nomos neomatik technology, but what you do get isn’t going to cost you an arm and a leg. The smaller version comes in at just under $1900, while the larger comes in at just over. That’s some pretty great value right there.

All of this brings us back to that ‘California’-style dial. The Roman numerals add a little element of fun to the design, but, more importantly, they provide a clear and visible point of difference to the other Club models. Additionally, the hands and hour markers are now filled with Super-LumiNova, which is nifty, and the neon orange seconds hand provides another flash of modernity. To be honest I’m still on the fence about this new dial design. I love some elements (hello lume), but others just aren’t for me. But you know what? That’s OK, because there’s a bunch of other Clubs in the catalogue to suit a range of tastes and wrists. And if the brief was to provide a fun and (relatively) affordable watch aimed at younger watch lovers, the Club Campus nails it.

Nomos Club Campus Australian pricing

Nomos Club Campus 36mm, $1870; 38mm, $2060