Nomos Flies In Three Special-Edition Air France Collaboration Watches For The Aviations Sans Frontières Auction
Proving the world can still be a good place, Nomos Glashütte has decided to contribute three special-edition watches to benefit Swiss-based Aviations Sans Frontières (ASF). On Wednesday, June 18th, 2025, Artcurial will hold a charity auction for ASF near Paris. Three Nomos watches with the case number AF001 will be auctioned to support the association’s humanitarian missions. These particular Zürich Worldtimer, Minimatik, and Orion 33 watches were the first pieces in a limited-edition series that Nomos made for Air France in 2023. Until now, they were kept safe in the brand’s headquarters, but now they’re out to do some good.
The proceeds of the Nomos Zürich Worldtimer, Minimatik, and Orion 33 bearing the case number AF001 will directly benefit Aviation Sans Frontières International. Also known as Aviation Without Borders, the NGO describes itself as a special meeting point that brings together the aviation and humanitarian communities. ASF is an independent humanitarian air operator using mainly 5–12-seat aircraft for bush flying in war-affected countries and has been doing so over the last 35 years. Though headquartered in Geneva, ASF has nine national branches in France, Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Finland, Spain, Switzerland, and Canada.
Three special-edition Air France watches to benefit Aviations Sans Frontières
The Nomos Zürich Worldtimer, Minimatik, and Orion 33 bearing the case number AF001 are not new creations. In 2023, Nomos created three special editions for Air France to celebrate the airline’s 90th anniversary. These watches were sold exclusively to Air France employees. Now you can be the only non-employee to have one of them — if you participate in the auction on June 18th in Paris, that is.
A very appropriate Zürich Worldtimer comes up for auction
Apart from these Nomos watches, numerous artists, celebrities, top athletes, and companies have also rallied together, bringing unique experiences and exceptional items to the auction. But we will focus on the three watches that will go under the hammer.
First up is a 39.9 × 49.4 × 10.9mm Zürich Worldtimer with an “Air France blue” dial. Inside it lies the 26-jewel automatic DUW 5201 caliber with a 3Hz (21,600vph) frequency and a 43-hour power reserve. This is no ordinary Nomos Zürich, though. You can tell because it has a special city disc with Air France IATA airport codes. There’s also a “Hippocampe” instead of the home icon at 3 o’clock, and at 6 o’clock is text that reads “90 ans d’élégance.”
Why is there a hippocampus, you ask? Air France’s logo is a winged seahorse, known in French as hippocampe ailé. This fantasy creature is a symbolic representation of the airline’s heritage. Another fun fact: some affectionately call the logo “La Crevette,” French for “The Shrimp.” We’ll stick to the official name, if you don’t mind.
Two more Nomos × Air France creations on offer
The second watch is a Minimatik with a now-discontinued 35.5 × 42.5 × 8.9mm case. This one runs on the 27-jewel self-winding DUW 3001 movement, which, like the 5201, has a 3Hz beat rate and a 43-hour power reserve. Its white dial shows “Air France blue” numerals and indexes along with “Air France red” hands, creating a veritable tricolore. There’s also a stylized flying seahorse at 6 o’clock with the “90 ans d’élégance” inscription below it.
The final watch is an Orion 33 with a 32.8 × 42.3 × 8.5mm case and a light, champagne-like dial. It houses the 17-jewel manual-winding Alpha caliber with, yet again, a 3Hz frequency and power reserve of 43 hours. Once more, you will find Air France’s “Hippocampe” at 6 o’clock on the dial with the “90 ans d’élégance” text below it.
Do you want to do good, complete your Nomos watch collection, or do both? In that case, please go to Arcturial’s online catalog to see how you can participate in the auction.
