The Ace x NOMOS Club 36 Blue limited edition watches

Over the last three years, we have covered several NOMOS Glashütte timepieces and virtually any new product introduced so far; I’d personally highlight the 175 years of Saxon watchmaking Limited Edition Lambda and Ludwig models, for instance, among the Special Editions. Elsewhere, primarily within our private Nomos Club, we have discussed the several boutique editions the Saxon brand has crafted in partnership with watch clubs, media or retailers.

Ace Jewelers stands out as one of the most prominent watches and jewellery retailers in Europe and among the first ones to launch an e-boutique in 2008. Also, Ace Jewelers has been a NOMOS authorized dealer since 2016 and has released no less than six limited-edition models in partnership with NOMOS Glashütte so far, the most recent being the Ace x NOMOS Club 36 Blue limited models and the first-ever ACE-styled Club 36. The Club 36 sits atop NOMOS Glashütte‘s most wanted timepieces, and for a good reason; it’s a unisex watch in either size and style and houses an exquisitely-finished hand-wound calibre. In contrast, its retail price is unbelievably fair and affordable given such refinement.

Despite the watch brand investing millions of Euros in developing the award-winning neomatik calibre, thus gaining complete industrial independence from any external supplier, the Nomos Club 36 is the main door to access the NOMOS brand. The brand didn’t double down in either quality and finishes unless you’re not prone to spend some time winding the watch, something any true watch aficionado won’t complain about at all.

What sets the Ace x NOMOS Club 36 Blue limited edition watches apart from the standard models? First and foremost, you can opt for a solid or see-through case back, which is an excellent offering. The main one concerns the dial’s design and colours; the large Arabic numerals and baton indexes are thicker than standard and come in orange, the Dutch corporate colour. Orange pairs with a full matte blue Pantone that mimics Ace Jewelers‘ corporate colour palette.

Bear in mind that every Nomos Club 36 comes equipped with the high-quality and ultra-slim Alpha calibre and is watertight up to 100 meters. However, I would suggest replacing the leather strap with one of the two NATO straps available or adding the steel Sport bracelet. The base leather strap is crafted by premium American tanner Horween, the exclusive leather strap supplier to NOMOS Glashütte. While this is a limited series, the retail price has not undergone any markup; hence the closed case option sells for 1,080 Euros including VAT (but it’s sold out), while the second one sells for 1,340 Euros instead.

In either case, they are a chance to access an extremely limited edition series (50 pieces for the first one and 100 for the open case back model) whose style is vibrant yet all but excessive compared to other Club 36 models. The Club 36 stands as a template for the most “disruptive” Nomos watches, often coming with very vivid colours. However, I suggest adding an after-market steel bracelet. The 100-meter water resistance makes it a full day and four-season timepiece you can wear and use anywhere, every day.