Nomos releases retailer-specific limited editions on a regular basis, and the latest addition to that lineup is the Zürich Worldtimer Limited Edition Singapore 2021, a 50-piece run for Singapore retailer The Hour Glass.

Based on the Zürich Weltzeit, the Singapore edition has a yellow gold-plated dial with a grained finish, matched with blued hands, as well as the city state in red on the world time ring.

Initial thoughts

Retailer editions are a Nomos favourite – just last month it was the turn of Amsterdam-based Ace Jewelers – so there really are a lot of them, reducing the novelty of the idea.

That said, it is often such limited editions that are the most interesting in terms of colour palette, making them far more compelling than the standard Nomos offerings.

That’s the case with the new Singapore edition, which is dressed in a colour and finish not usually found on Nomos watches. While the design remains distinctly Nomos, the livery gives the watch a slightly more striking appearance than the typical Nomos, which tend toward a more muted appearance.

Colour aside, the Singapore edition has all the strengths and weakness of the standard version. The strengths are primarily the easy-to-operate world time as well as attractive movement, while the weaknesses are the long lugs and the small font for the world time display.

Gilt and blue

Besides the gilded finish that’s unusual for Nomos, the dial of the Singapore edition also has a granular texture that’s more pronounced than the typical Nomos dial. It’s matched with blue hands – that appear to be coated blue rather than heat treated – as well as dark blue hour markers.

And it has “Singapore” in red on the cities disc, along with a tiny red sphere at three o’clock, a reference to the “Little Red Dot” nickname for the city state. Both of these elements were also found on the first Zurich Worldtimer Singapore edition of 2017.

From left: the standard Zurich Weltzeit, the 2021 Singapore edition, and the 2017 Singapore edition

The rest of the watch is identical to the standard model, which is one of the largest and most complicated watches that Nomos makes.

The case is 39.9 mm wide, with the angular, pointed lugs that are the trademark feature of the Zurich case, which was designed by Hanens Wettstein, the late Swiss industrial designer who also cofounded the watch brand Ventura.

Within is the DUW 5201, the flagship calibre of Nomos. Decorated in the appealing manner of all Nomos movement, the DUW 5201 automatic and has a 42-hour power reserve.

And like many of Nomos’ other in-house movements, this is equipped with the Nomos Swing System, which is a balance wheel and hairspring produced in-house.

Key facts and price

Nomos Zürich Worldtimer Limited Edition Singapore 2021
Ref. 805.S24

Diameter: 39.9 mm
Height: 10.85 mm
Material: Stainless steel
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: DUW 5201
Functions: Local time and home time
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz_
Power reserve: 42 hours

Strap: Beige suede with pin buckle

Limited edition: 50 pieces
Availability: Only at The Hour Glass
Price: 8,030 Singapore dollars including 7% GST

For more information, visit Thehourglass.com.