The Ahoi is something of an outlier in Nomos’ restrained and considered catalogue. Initially launched in 2013, it was billed as the German-brands alternative to a dive watch, a sporty swim watch if you will.

The Ahoi eschewed the tropes of overblown dial design, rotating bezels and everything else, which would have been too much of a stretch for the brand’s distinctive design DNA. Instead, the watch borrows the popular and much-loved dial design from the Tangente, adds some sporty touches, puts it in a beefy, 200M-rated case, and you’re off the the beach.

Initially, the Ahoi was released in two core dials, white and a sort of dark grey/blue called ‘Atlantic’. This latter dial has just received a major facelift thanks to a trio of new models, a 40mm time-only automatic, a 40mm model with a date and a 36mm that is a little slimmer and is powered by the impressive neomatik calibre.

The changes on the face are the story here — the shade of blue used has changed from a dark stormy grey into something richer, deeper and more clearly blue. On its own, this enlivens the Ahoi. Then there are the other tasty refreshments on offer. The dial text is no longer beige but crisp, more legible white. On top of that, the numerals are fully luminous (in white rather than green). The outer blocks of lume on the minute track have also been tweaked; they’re now beige with a neon green border that you’ll likely need a loupe to appreciate fully.

This updated dial design preserves the flair and personality of the Ahoi, but also refines the design and increases clarity and legibility. One minor change on the incoming model that is a little more demure than the outgoing is the small seconds hand. It used to be a sliver of neon orange, but now its a more classic red.

The Ahoi has always felt like a bit of an add-on in the Nomos catalogue; sports watches are not exactly their bread and butter after all. This new Ahoi Atlantic is a smart update. It tones down some of the quirks while keeping all of the personality.

Tech Specs

Ahoi Atlantic/Ahoi date Atlantic

Movement: DUW 5001, or 5101 (with date), automatic, 42 hours of power reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds and date on date model
Case: 40.3 x 10.6mm, stainless steel, rated to 200M
Strap: Blue-black fabric, 20mm
Price: EUR 3140 for the no date, EUR 3620 for the date

Ahoi neomatik Atlantic

Movement: DUW 3001, automatic, up to 43 hours of power reserve
Functions: Hoursm, minutes, seconds
Case: 36.3 x 9.6mm, stainless steel, rated to 200M
Strap: blue-black fabric, 18mm
Price: EUR 3240