Going Hands-On With The Sternglas Naos Automatik Edition Yellow
Yellow is the color of summer, warmth, flowers, bumblebees, and fun. At least, that’s how I see it. As such, it’s a color I love to see on a watch, and although only a few brands fully embrace it, it’s hard to get wrong. The new Sternglas Naos Automatik Edition Yellow livens up the brand’s most classic dial with a great big burst of summer.
Rather like London buses, you wait ages for one, and then two to come together. After years of seeing a variety of Sternglas models appearing on Instagram and being reviewed across various websites, my first hands-on encounter was quickly followed by seeing my brother’s new watch purchase and now taking the Naos in hand. That intensive exposure over a short period has allowed me to gain a much better understanding of the brand. Although minimalism is a clear overarching theme, each watch has a fun, quirky aspect too. That is never more evident than here on the Naos Automatik Edition Yellow.
An eye-catching dial
Pairing an eye-catching color with an otherwise ascetic dial could be seen as a mismatch. Still, that combination of fun and cleanliness is entirely appropriate for the Sternglas brand. The slim, black dial markings of the Naos line are functional but not overbearing. You can say the same about the hands. The star of the show is the satin-finished dial, which shimmers slightly in the light and curves gently downwards at its perimeter.
As much as I love to see yellow on a watch, I can understand that it’s not to everyone’s taste, and with the Naos Automatik Edition Yellow, there’s a lot of it on show. Even with moderate sizing, the Naos is pretty much all dial, yellow from edge to edge, with a color-matched date wheel to boot. Such an intense dial color makes an instant impression, but how does it affect readability? I was perhaps a little apprehensive about how well the slim, polished hands would stand out against the gleaming dial, but there was no need to worry.
The hour and minute differ only in length, with the seconds hand thinner still and sporting a black coating on the outer portion. In direct light, the polished hands shine bright above the shimmering and slightly less saturated dial but appear darker as the dial moves towards amber in low light. A watch in this style won’t be as readable as a diver with huge lumed hands and markers, but the dial color here doesn’t significantly affect things one way or the other.
Capturing the sun inside a modest case
The slightly modest 38mm diameter case is perhaps a blessing in disguise. It’s accurate to say that watches with a large dial in proportion to their bezel and case can appear more prominent on the wrist than the specs might suggest. I think such a bold color would amplify that further. Unfortunately, the smaller sizing draws greater attention to the thickness of the polished case. The 12mm height is shared between quite a bit of visible space above the dial — even before allowing for the domed sapphire crystal on top — and the rear side of the watch housing the automatic movement. The case lines and curvature of the lugs are pleasant but leave the watch looking a little rotund in profile.
Inside is the Miyota 8215 movement. This budget-friendly automatic caliber hacks and hand-winds. It operates at 21,600vph and should provide 42 hours of power reserve once fully wound. But it’s an entry-level movement and nothing to get too excited about. Therefore, seeing a display back on this model is a slight surprise. A custom rotor might have improved the view slightly, but a solid engraved case back would have been a more obvious choice.
The Sternglas Naos at home on the wrist
Despite my slightly disparaging earlier comments regarding the Naos’s portly profile, the watch is very comfortable on the wrist, and the thickness is no longer on my mind. The watch and strap closely hug my 17.5mm (7”) wrist, thanks to the short and sharply downturned lugs. The watch comes fitted with a Cordura nylon strap backed with vegan leather intended to be resistant to sweat and dirt. This lightweight and malleable option is relatively low-key in comparison to the dial.
Finding a strap pairing that lives up to the bright yellow of the dial might be a challenge. Still, quick-release spring bars at the 20mm lugs offer you the opportunity to try, at least. As tempting as a yellow NATO-style strap may be, the existing thickness of the watch might make that a non-starter.
Concluding thoughts
I began by claiming that yellow is an easy color to get right on a watch. The Naos is an example of the color used well. The sparkling and saturated tone is a powerful backdrop to the clean lines of the indices and hands. This model represents the brand’s familiar minimalist aesthetic in an altogether more casual form. However, a full-yellow dial is much more challenging to match with the rest of your attire. But it’s not always meant to match. Sometimes it is meant to stand out. Whether or not you want your watch to stand out is the question to answer. The Sternglas Naos Automatik Edition Yellow is now available for purchase, starting from €359 (regular price €399). The model is also available as a two-hander with quartz movement for an even more budget-friendly option. More information is available on Sternglas.com.
