The Club Campus, released in 2017 and positioned as a go-to option for someone’s first mechanical watch (with a special emphasis on recent grads, hence the campus reference), has risen to become one of NOMOS Glashütte‘s most popular models — for newbs and seasoned collectors, alike. The Club Campus watch has always been available in two sizes and to keep things fresh, NOMOS adds two vibrant colors to the lineup annually, across both diameters. Just in time for graduation season, the latest editions released for the class of 2024 are the NOMOS Glashütte Club Campus in Nonstop Red and Endless Blue.
The simply-named Club Campus watches are the smaller versions with cases that measure 36mm in diameter, 8.2mm thick, and 18mm between the lugs. Conversely, the larger ones are officially called Club Campus 38, and their 38mm cases are not that much thicker, clocking at a svelte 8.5mm. Lug width is of course wider too at 20mm. Regardless of size, all versions are made in stainless steel, polished to a mirror finish, and include the customary curved lugs and rounded bezels.
What sets the Campus apart from other Club models in NOMOS’ collection are the reverse California-style dials, characterized by Arabic numerals at the top and Roman numerals on the bottom. Legible, playful, and colorful all at once, the punchy blue and red dials on these new versions are exactly what you’d expect from NOMOS. The duo of hands at the center and the hour markers are coated in bright white Super-LumiNova that glows blue in the dark. While the orange running seconds hand inside the subdial at 6 o’clock is easy to see on the cool-toned Endless Blue dial, it might be a little more challenging to spot it on the bold Nonstop Red one.
In true NOMOS fashion, the Club Campus watches are powered by in-house movements made in its Glashutte workshops. The hand-wound Alpha caliber, to be exact, is regulated in six positions and offers 43 hours of power reserve. Buyers can choose between a solid screw-down caseback — which NOMOS can custom engrave at no extra charge — or a sapphire crystal display caseback for a view of the movement. Either way, all Club Campus watches are water resistant to 100 meters.
Aside from in-house movements and fun designs, another appeal of the Club Campus is its entry-level (for NOMOS) pricing. When furnished with solid casebacks, the price of the Club Campus in Nonstop Red (Ref. 716) and Endless Blue (Ref. 717) is 1,500 USD whereas the sapphire crystal caseback versions (Ref. 716.GB, and Ref. 717.GB) are priced at 1,800 USD. As expected, the Club Campus 38 models are slightly more expensive, priced at 1,650 USD for solid casebacks (Nonstop Red Ref. 723, Endless Blue Ref. 724) and 1,950 USD for sapphire crystal casebacks (Ref. 723.GB, Ref. 724.GB). The watches come fitted with velvet gray straps, made of vegan velour; however, NOMOS does offer the option to upgrade to metal bracelets.
In our current landscape of ambitious watch pricing, NOMOS thankfully retains its more sensible prices. While this is no doubt appealing to those looking to buy themselves (or someone else) their first premium mechanical watch, I’d argue that it’s refreshing for anyone looking for a fun, high-quality watch made by an über-respected watchmaker. For more information, please visit the brand’s website.
