A Pure Expression of Minimalist German Watchmaking
The Tangente 33 Twice Unique – Now Ref. 123.U5 from Nomos Glashütte is a remarkable exploration of minimalism, craftsmanship, and contemporary artistic design. Introduced in 2026 as part of the highly creative “Twice Unique” collection, this exceptional timepiece reinterprets the iconic Tangente through an ultra-refined and highly minimalist artistic approach. The Twice Unique concept is centered around creating special artistic executions in both stainless steel and 18 kt gold, with only five design themes produced for each collection. Within the “Now” series, the Tangente 33 becomes an exercise in reduction and purity, where every unnecessary visual element is removed to emphasize surface, texture, light, and proportion. The result is a watch that feels incredibly modern, sophisticated, and emotionally engaging while remaining deeply connected to the Bauhaus-inspired philosophy that defines NOMOS Glashütte.
Elegant Stainless Steel Tangente Case Design
The watch is housed in the iconic Tangente stainless steel case, a design celebrated worldwide for its clean geometry, architectural proportions, and timeless Bauhaus character. Measuring 32.8 mm in diameter, 6.45 mm in thickness, and approximately 42.2 mm lug to lug, the case maintains a slim and elegant profile that sits beautifully on the wrist. The polished stainless steel surfaces highlight the crisp lines of the round case and slender straight lugs, creating a refined balance between simplicity and sophistication. The narrow bezel further enhances the dial opening, allowing the minimalist reflective surface to dominate the visual identity of the watch. Despite its understated appearance, every detail of the case reflects NOMOS’ commitment to precision engineering and refined finishing.
A Remarkably Smooth Reflective Dial Surface
The defining feature of the Tangente 33 Twice Unique – Now is its extraordinary silver reflective dial, created through an intricate multi-stage lapping process. Using abrasive paste and water, the dial surface is worked entirely by hand until it achieves a mirror-like smoothness while still retaining a soft, silky visual texture. Unlike traditional polished dials that can appear harsh or overly glossy, the surface here possesses a refined subtlety that interacts beautifully with ambient light. Depending on the viewing angle, the dial can appear luminous, understated, or almost liquid-like in texture. This handcrafted finish transforms the watch into a highly artistic object that celebrates light, reflection, and material purity.
An Ultra-Minimalist Interpretation of the Tangente
As part of the “Now” artistic treatment, the Tangente 33 is reduced to its most essential visual form. The traditional Arabic numerals, indexes, minute track, and even the subsidiary seconds layout found on the standard Tangente 33 are entirely removed. The dial is left almost completely pure, featuring only the elegant stick hands and discreet NOMOS logo. This dramatic reduction creates an incredibly calm and balanced appearance that feels contemporary, architectural, and deeply sophisticated. By eliminating conventional dial elements, NOMOS allows the reflective surface itself to become the centerpiece of the watch, emphasizing texture, proportion, and interaction with light rather than traditional visual complexity.
Powered by the Renowned NOMOS Alpha Movement
Inside the Tangente 33 Twice Unique – Now beats the respected Nomos Glashütte Alpha caliber, one of the brand’s most celebrated and reliable hand-wound movements. Entirely developed and produced in-house, the Alpha movement is admired for its slim architecture, precision engineering, and refined simplicity. Measuring only 2.6 mm in thickness, the movement enables the watch to maintain its elegant ultra-thin profile while delivering outstanding mechanical performance. The caliber features 17 jewels and an impressive power reserve of approximately 53 hours, ensuring dependable functionality and practical everyday usability. Its carefully engineered construction reflects the minimalist and highly functional philosophy at the heart of NOMOS watchmaking.
The Beauty of Manual Winding Watchmaking
The manual-winding nature of the Alpha movement creates a more intimate and emotional relationship between the wearer and the watch. Unlike automatic movements that operate passively, a hand-wound movement requires daily interaction, transforming the act of winding into a meaningful ritual that reinforces appreciation for traditional mechanical craftsmanship. Every turn of the crown allows the wearer to engage directly with the intricate mechanics operating beneath the dial. For collectors and enthusiasts, this tactile connection represents one of the purest pleasures of horology, emphasizing authenticity, engineering, and human interaction over convenience alone.
Slim Proportions and Outstanding Comfort
One of the most impressive qualities of the Tangente 33 Twice Unique – Now is its balance between visual refinement and exceptional wearability. With its 32.8 mm case diameter, ultra-thin 6.45 mm profile, and lightweight stainless steel construction, the watch feels elegant and effortless on the wrist. The slender straight lugs distribute the case naturally, while the restrained dimensions ensure a timeless and versatile appearance suitable for both formal attire and refined casual wear. Its slim profile allows the watch to slide comfortably beneath a cuff, reinforcing its identity as a sophisticated modern dress watch.
Open Sapphire Case Back and Mechanical Beauty
The Tangente 33 Twice Unique – Now features an open sapphire case back, allowing the wearer to admire the beautifully finished Alpha movement inside. This transparent case back creates a fascinating contrast between the extreme visual minimalism of the dial and the intricate mechanical engineering visible from the rear. The movement showcases clean German finishing, traditional Glashütte-inspired details, and precise hand-assembled construction. This visible craftsmanship reinforces the idea that the watch is not only an artistic design object but also a serious piece of traditional mechanical horology.
An Artistic Collector’s Piece with Contemporary Appeal
Although not officially limited in production, the artistic nature of the Twice Unique collection and the handcrafted lapping process used for the dial surface ensure that the Tangente 33 Twice Unique – Now remains exceptionally distinctive and collectible. The highly refined reflective dial treatment gives every watch a slightly unique character, particularly in the way it interacts with light and surrounding environments. For collectors who appreciate minimalism, artistic craftsmanship, and understated exclusivity, this watch represents a compelling and highly modern interpretation of contemporary luxury watchmaking.
A Masterpiece of Simplicity, Light, and Bauhaus Design
The Nomos Glashütte Tangente 33 Twice Unique – Now Ref. 123.U5 ultimately stands as a remarkable fusion of Bauhaus-inspired minimalism, artistic surface craftsmanship, and refined German horology. Every detail—from the luminous hand-lapped reflective dial and elegant stainless steel case to the sophisticated Alpha manual movement and open sapphire case back—has been carefully considered to create a watch of extraordinary purity and refinement. More than simply a timepiece, it is an exploration of light, texture, proportion, and mechanical artistry interpreted through the timeless design language of NOMOS Glashütte.
Discover Nomos Glashütte Tangente 33 Twice Unique – Now Ref. 123.U5 is a stunning expression of minimalist design, artistic craftsmanship, and refined German horology. Its extraordinary hand-lapped reflective silver dial transforms the iconic Tangente into a contemporary work of art, where light, texture, and simplicity become the defining visual elements