If you're a fan of the sleek, Bauhaus-inspired designs from Nomos Glashütte, you already appreciate the beauty of understated elegance. The brand has perfected the art of creating clean, minimalist timepieces with incredible in-house movements, offering a slice of German-made affordable luxury that stands out for its simplicity and precision.
But part of the fun of watch collecting is discovering other brands that share a similar love for refined aesthetics and quality craftsmanship. If you're looking to expand your collection with pieces that have that same elegant, design-conscious feel, here are 17 watch brands like Nomos that are absolutely worth a look.
Another master of German watchmaking, Junghans is celebrated for its elegant, understated designs, especially the iconic Max Bill collection that perfectly captures the Bauhaus spirit. Their timepieces have a similar-to-Nomos minimalist feel but often lean into a more classic or vintage-inspired aesthetic with details like domed crystals.
With prices generally ranging from $500 to $2,000, Junghans offers fantastic quality at a slightly more accessible price point. It’s the perfect choice if you love Nomos’ clean lines but want something with a touch of mid-century charm.
Shop now at junghans.de
Uniform Wares crafts contemporary watches with a strikingly clean and modern aesthetic. Their designs are sleek and minimalist, often featuring simple, unbranded dials and high-quality stainless steel or ceramic cases. The brand’s vibe is a bit more industrial and utilitarian than Nomos's classic elegance, making it a great fit for a modern, urban style.
Positioned well under $1,200, these watches deliver a premium feel without the premium price tag. For those who want impeccable minimalism with a contemporary edge, Uniform Wares is a must-see.
Shop now at uniformwares.com
Stowa is a German brand known for its classic, refined watches that offer exceptional value. While they produce everything from pilot to dive watches, their dress watches share Nomos's appreciation for clean, easy-to-read dials and slim profiles. Stowa's designs often feel more rooted in heritage and vintage military styles.
Priced mostly between $600 and $2,000, Stowa is a fantastic, more affordable alternative for anyone seeking timeless German craftsmanship and a minimalist approach.
Shop now at stowa.de
Blending British and Swedish design influences, Larsson & Jennings creates watches that are the definition of Scandinavian cool. Their timepieces are minimal, modern, and highly versatile, featuring clean dials and options for leather or mesh straps that are perfect for everyday wear. Compared to Nomos's German precision, this brand delivers a more fashion-forward, accessible take on minimalism.
With prices from $300 to $900, they offer an attainable way to get that sleek, understated look on your wrist.
Shop now at larssonandjennings.com
For those who love the Junghans brand but want something a bit more elevated, the Meister collection is where it's at. This specific line embodies refined elegance, featuring slim profiles and minimalist dials powered by automatic movements. It's Junghans' answer to the higher-end dress watch.
The Meister line competes directly with Nomos, sharing a similar Bauhaus design philosophy and precision craftsmanship. It’s an excellent choice for formal occasions, giving you that sophisticated look with a distinctly German pedigree. Prices typically range from $1,000 to $2,500.
Shop now at junghans.de
Instantly recognizable, Mondaine has channeled the iconic design of Swiss railway clocks into a unique collection of minimalist watches. The clean white dial, simple black markers, and famous red "lollipop" seconds hand create a look that is both playful and incredibly functional. While Nomos is about subtle elegance, Mondaine is about bold, graphic simplicity. Prices between $200 and $600 make it a fun and affordable pickup.
Shop now at mondaine.com
Hailing from California, Nixon bridges the gap between surf culture and sophisticated design. While many of their pieces are casual and trendy, their collection includes sleek, minimalist dress watches with simple dials and quality materials. Nixon offers a more fashion-forward and youthful take on minimalism compared to the classic feel of Nomos.
For those seeking a versatile and stylish watch that won't break the bank, Nixon is a fantastic option, with most models priced between $100 and $500.
Shop now at nixon.com
Braun is a legend in the world of functionalist, minimalist design, and their watch collection is no exception. True to the brand's less-is-more philosophy, Braun watches feature uncluttered dials, slim cases, and a focus on pure practicality. They embody the same "form follows function" principle as Nomos, but with a more modern, almost digital-era aesthetic. For a clean, design-forward timepiece under $800, Braun is an unbeatable choice.
Shop now at braun.com
If you love the German engineering of Nomos but need something more rugged, meet Damasko. This brand is known for its incredibly robust, technical "tool watches" made from innovative, hardened materials. While the aesthetic is more utilitarian and less dressy than Nomos, both brands share a deep commitment to high-quality in-house movements and impeccable precision.
Priced from $1,200 to $3,000, Damasko is for the watch lover who appreciates tough, functional design that's built to last.
Shop now at damasko.de
MeisterSinger offers a truly unique and relaxed way to tell time with its signature single-hand watches. The design encourages a more laid-back perception of time, focusing on elegance and simplicity. The look is clean and reminiscent of old measuring instruments, striking a beautiful, vintage-inspired chord. While mechanically different from Nomos, MeisterSinger shares that same dedication to creating understated, high-quality pieces for those who appreciate subtle sophistication.
Shop now at meistersinger.com
Archimede is another German brand delivering excellent quality mechanical watches at accessible prices. Known for their pilot and diver styles, their designs are clean, functional, and durable. Compared to Nomos's delicate dress watches, Archimede is a bit sportier and more rugged, but it maintains that same minimalist, purpose-driven sensibility. If you want a stylish, do-it-all watch with an active vibe, look no further.
Shop now at archimede-watches.com
If you're captivated by the inner workings of a watch, Stührling is for you. This brand specializes in affordable mechanical watches that often feature open-heart or fully skeletonized dials, putting the movement on display. While its aesthetic is far more ornate and flashy than Nomos’s minimalism, Stührling offers a bold, eye-catching way to appreciate horology on a budget, with most watches under $300.
Shop now at stuhlrling.com
Limes offers high-quality German watches with a clean, functional aesthetic inspired by classic pilot and field watches. Their designs strike a nice balance between rugged utility and minimalist elegance. Similar to Nomos, they value precision and function, but they package it with a more utilitarian, tool-watch appearance. It’s an ideal choice for someone who wants a sleek timepiece that feels both durable and refined.
Shop now at limeswatches.com
For those who find Nomos a bit too classic, Formex offers a breath of fresh, modern air. This Swiss brand is known for its innovative watches with bold, geometric shapes and an avant-garde feel. While the designs are more experimental than Nomos's, both brands share a commitment to quality movements and a contemporary minimalist ethos. Formex is perfect for someone looking for a watch that’s both a precision instrument and a piece of wearable art.
Shop now at formex.ch
Baltic has quickly become a fan-favorite microbrand for its beautiful, vintage-inspired watches that deliver incredible value. Their designs have a timeless, neo-vintage look that feels both classic and cool. Priced between $400 and $800, Baltic offers a much more accessible entry point into the world of mechanical watches than Nomos, without sacrificing style. If you love that mid-century modern vibe, you will love what Baltic is doing.
Shop now at baltic-watches.com
Japanese brand Knot specializes in minimalist watches with a clever twist: they are entirely customizable. You choose a watch head and pair it with any of their handcrafted straps, allowing you to create a personalized look. The designs are clean, slim, and stylish, sharing a minimalist DNA with Nomos. But where Nomos focuses on mechanical mastery, Knot excels in offering chic, versatile style at an affordable price point of around $200 to $600.
Shop now at knot-designs.com/
Nove is a boutique brand that skillfully blends minimalist Scandinavian design with Swiss-made movements. Their watches are characterized by sleek, uncluttered dials and a commitment to high-quality, eco-friendly materials. Like Nomos, Nove prizes understated elegance and craftsmanship. However, it places a stronger emphasis on artisanal production and sustainability, making it a great choice for the ethically conscious watch buyer seeking a sophisticated, modern timepiece. Prices typically range from $1,000 to $2,000.
Shop now at novewatches.com
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