Nomos Metro Date Power Reserve Ice Blue: Light Blue Meets New Hand-Wound Movement

For years, Glashütte-based manufacture Nomos has used its annual forum in the renowned watchmaking town in the Müglitz Valley to unveil new timepieces. At this year’s seventh edition, around 100 invited guests had the opportunity to experience a dozen new models up close. Among the most intriguing discoveries was the Metro Date Power Reserve Ice Blue.

The design is by Mark Braun, who created the Metro for Nomos Glashütte in 2014 with modern urban life in mind. For the manufacture, founded in 1990, the model marked an important milestone: the DUW 4401 powering the original Metro was the brand’s first movement equipped with its proprietary escapement system, the Nomos Swing System. Without this so-called assortment – comprising the pallet fork, escape wheel, balance, hairspring, pallets and the associated balance cock – a mechanical watch would be unable to tick. Most watch manufacturers source this essential assembly from specialist suppliers.

Now one of Nomos’s best-selling models, the Metro embodies the designer’s fundamental approach: reduced, archetypal forms combined with fine craftsmanship and a clear, functional aesthetic.

To ensure that the new Metro not only impresses with its design but also performs its task reliably and precisely, its latest – and 16th – iteration sees the debut of the new hand-wound DUW 4701 calibre.

The Movement of the Metro Date Power Reserve Ice Blue

The hand-wound DUW 4701 provides a power reserve of 52 hours and features a quick-set date mechanism, with roughly half a turn of the crown advancing the date by one day. The movement can be admired through the sapphire crystal case back, revealing a skeletonised balance cock, Glashütte ribbing, perlage and thermally blued screws. Measuring just 2.8 mm in height, the calibre enables the slim overall architecture of the new Metro Date Power Reserve.

In addition to the Nomos Swing System and quick-set date, the new DUW 4701 features a patented power reserve indicator. Integrated into the movement, it allows for an especially slim construction. On the dial, the complication is displayed through a circular aperture with a crescent-shaped indicator positioned between 12 and 2 o’clock. The DUW 4701 is now also available in a version paired with a white dial.

An Ice-Blue Dial

The cool, metallic light-blue tone gives the new Metro a contemporary appearance. Its inspiration comes from the dynamic reflections of fast-paced cities, where natural and artificial light is refracted between high-rise buildings, glass façades and metal surfaces. According to Mark Braun, it is not an artificially created colour, but one that can be encountered at every turn in the world’s major cities.

Beneath the domed sapphire crystal, the galvanised and lacquered metallic surface creates subtle reflections that allow the dial to harmonise with virtually any colour palette of the wearer’s outfit.

One of the most distinctive features of the Metro Date Power Reserve is its off-centred power reserve display. In the ice-blue version, the indicator changes gradually as the 52-hour power reserve runs down, shifting from white to light blue and then turquoise. As the watch is wound, it gradually returns towards white. Rhodium-plated hands indicate the hours and minutes, while a light-blue hand makes its rounds on the small seconds sub-dial.

Case and Strap

Protection is provided by a two-part stainless-steel case that is water-resistant to 5 bar. Measuring 37 mm in diameter and just 8 mm in height, the Metro Date Power Reserve Ice Blue has all the proportions of an urban dress watch. It is worn on a black leather strap made from Horween Genuine Shell Cordovan.

nomos-glashuette.com