Nomos takes the concept of ‘Bauhaus minimalism’ to a whole new, smaller level with two renditions of their square Tetra model in 27mm.
Consistency is an extremely hard thing to come by in the watch industry. With how dynamic the world is becoming, it is becoming continually harder to commit to a single design or mechanical philosophy without risking getting washed out by the next big thing.
Only a scant few brands have managed to accomplish such an unenviable task; Longines is one of those brands I have consistently praised for doing so. But further west of Switzerland, they are not the only one. That credit belongs to none other than Nomos, based out of the fabled watchmaking town of Glashütte, Germany.
Known for their diverse roster, accessible yet finely engineered watches, and a completely unapologetic commitment to the Bauhaus aesthetic, Nomos have established themselves as an industry darling since their founding in 1992. The year they were founded, they launched with a handful of incredible flagship models, like the Ludwig, Tangente, and Orion. But the fourth, the Tetra, is perhaps the most underrated, complete with a minimalist aesthetic that offsets its delightfully eccentric true square case.
And while consistency is the name of the game for Nomos, they too have been embracing the small watch trend. In 2026, they are taking it to the extreme. Releasing two new Tetra models in a minuscule 27.5mm case, they seek to completely redefine what constitutes a ‘small’ watch.
Geometry Dash
The new Nomos Tetra 27 White and Duo are sized to an extremely compact 27.5mm case diameter. While this might seem extremely tiny for most people’s wrists, a few factors keep the watch’s wearability in check.
First is the true square profile, which takes up far more real estate than the average round watch. Naturally, the watch’s silhouette feels slightly more flamboyant than its rounder brethren, nodding towards its Art Deco inspiration with double-stepped lugs that extend the watch’s length to 38.5mm.
Combined with an extremely slim 6.1mm case thickness, the result is a low, compact, and ultimately unobtrusive wear. Feeling closer to a 32 or 34mm watch, it’s a profile that practically anyone’s wrist can handle. Both new Nomos Tetra 27 references come outfitted on a black calfskin strap, which flows down from the lugs to a steel pin buckle.
If that is not to your liking, however, Nomos have also included drilled lugs to allow for an easier process when strap swapping. At 50m water resistance, these watches will not be seeing much beyond the outside of an office, but 50m gives any user the reassurance they need to let the watch accompany them in their day-to-day.
In The (Bau)haus
But while the frame of the watch is quite rebellious, the dial design of the Nomos Tetra 27 is in line with the Bauhaus philosophies that have guided the brand from the start. Available in either the White or Duo models, they bring their own distinct aesthetic flavour to the Tetra whilst preserving the minimalist spirit.
Starting with the former, the White reference comes with a galvanised dial with a small seconds subdial, slim printed Arabic numerals and indexes, alongside a set of heat-blued hands. However, unlike previous models, the small seconds subdial is rounded instead of squared. This gives the Tetra slightly more visual intrigue and offsets the general blockiness of the case.
The second model, the Duo, foregoes a small seconds hand in favour of a two-tone galvanised dial, with concentric squares alternating in white and grey tones. Its stick hands are similarly heat-blued, adding contrast and more visual intrigue. An important factor when you are dealing with a design this minimalistic. Personally, which one I would go for entirely depends on what is selected next.
Getting In The Swing Of Things
I, of course, refer to the caseback of the Tetra 27. In a rare case of optionality, Nomos have provided users with the option to either go for a completely closed caseback or an open sapphire one. This not only helps the price-conscious watch buyer who may not need to see the inner workings, but also gives any watch lover the option to customise the watch to their desired aesthetic.
If I was choosing, I would want to know my watch works visually, so I would get a solid caseback with the Tetra 27 White, as I can see the small seconds hand moving. On the other hand, the two-hand Duo model would benefit from an open caseback, as one can see the escapement wheel operating from within.
Both watches are powered by Nomos’ Calibre DUW 4001, which is a Glashütte-built spin on the ever-popular ETA/Peseux Calibre 7001. Manually wound, Nomos improves on the 42-hour power reserve of the Calibre 7001 with 53 hours, and even includes their own in-house swing escapement.
For the price point, this is massively significant. Not only does it help maintain accurate time within the watch, but Nomos is one of very few brands, and perhaps the only one not in the upper luxury sector, that has been able to do so.
Initial Thoughts
Nomos’ commitment to the worlds of Bauhaus and accessible, well-crafted mechanics still astounds me to this day. In an industry where many are more concerned with constantly moving upwards, Nomos stands its ground.
Since 1992, they have continually produced some of the best watches to come out of the fabled watchmaking town of Glashütte. The Tetra 27 is just another example of this, highlighting how Nomos presents one of its most eccentric collections to a mainstream crowd.
Sure, 27mm might sound extremely small, but somehow the brand has a knack for making something small and simple still feel so impactful on the wrist. And while the Bauhaus design is certainly an acquired taste, it has never felt hyper-exclusive, allowing anyone from anywhere to get into high-quality watchmaking.
Reference & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | 402 (White) 402.GB 410 (Duo) 410.GB |
| Dimensions | 27.5mm case diameter × 38.5mm lug-to-lug × 6.1mm thickness |
| Case | Stainless steel |
| Dial | Galvanic white with blue accents (White) Galvanic white with grey & blue accents (Duo) |
| Crystal | Sapphire |
| Caseback | Closed, brushed (402, 410) Open, sapphire (401.GB, 410.GB) |
| Movement | Manual wind Cal. DUW 4001 (Duo) with small seconds complication (White) |
| Power Reserve | 53h |
| Beat Rate | 3Hz / 21,600VpH |
| Water Resistance | 50m / 5bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Black leather strap with steel pin buckle |