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The Zelos Nova 37mm Tantalum is a limited dress watch built around a rare, heavy tantalum case and an unusually layered dial combining aventurine with Muonionalusta meteorite. It launched at US$1,999 in an edition of 50. Zelos’s official product page lists the model as sold out, with zero pieces remaining.
Zelos Nova 37mm Tantalum specifications
| Specification | Detail |
|---|---|
| Case diameter | 37mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 43.5mm |
| Thickness | 7mm before the crystal |
| Case material | Sandblasted tantalum with a polished tantalum bezel |
| Crystal | Box sapphire with inner anti-reflective coating |
| Dial | Aventurine inner dial and Muonionalusta meteorite outer dial |
| Movement | Hand-wound ETA/Peseux 7001, decorated with Côtes de Genève and blued screws |
| Movement thickness | 2.5mm, according to Fratello’s 2024 review |
| Power reserve | 42–45 hours, according to Fratello’s 2024 review |
| Frequency | 21,600 vibrations per hour |
| Jewels | 17 |
| Display | Hours, minutes and small seconds |
| Water resistance | 50m |
| Lug width | 20mm |
| Strap | Black Horween leather |
| Weight | 76g on the supplied leather strap, in Fratello’s hands-on observation |
| Edition | 50 pieces |
| Launch price | US$1,999 |
The 7mm figure excludes the box sapphire crystal, so it should not be compared directly with watches whose quoted thickness includes the crystal.
How the Nova wears
At 37mm across and 43.5mm from lug to lug, the Nova is proportioned for a compact dress-watch fit. The short overall length should suit smaller and medium wrists, while the tantalum construction gives it more tactile mass than the dimensions suggest. Fratello recorded 76g with the supplied strap.
Tantalum is notably dense and difficult to machine and finish. Zelos uses a sandblasted surface for the case and a polished bezel, creating a clear contrast between the muted body and the brighter rim. The result is a small watch that feels unusually substantial rather than delicate.
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#1 Best Overall
- Stainless Steel case with Black Resin Band
- Black Dial with date window at 3 O'clock
- Luminous markers and hour hands; sweep second hand
- Anti-reverse bezel
- Water-resistant to 200 M (660 feet)
Dial design and legibility
The Nova’s defining feature is its two-part dial. Aventurine forms the inner section, adding a granular sparkle, while the outer section uses Muonionalusta meteorite with its natural Widmanstätten pattern. Polished numerals and markers provide flashes of reflection against a dial that is already visually busy.
That complexity is the trade-off. The contrasting materials create depth and interest, but Fratello’s reviewer found that the polished numerals can be difficult to read when reflections and the meteorite texture compete for attention. This is a watch prioritizing material spectacle over maximum glance legibility.
Rank #2
- WATER-RESISTANT: these water-resistant men's dive watches are ISO scuba-approved to depths of 200 meters
- AUTOMATIC: these self-winding, automatic men's watches are powered by your movement, with a power reserve of 41 hours
- STAINLESS STEEL: features a durable stainless steel watch case and bracelet
- LUMIBRITE DISPLAY: this men's automatic watch features a highly-legible display with LumiBrite hands and markers
- 4R35 CALIBER: equipped with the reliable caliber 4R35 automatic movement, this accurate men's watch keeps precise time
Movement and thinness
The manually wound ETA/Peseux 7001 is a sensible choice for the Nova’s proportions. At 2.5mm thick, the 17-jewel Swiss movement helps Zelos keep the case to 7mm before the crystal. It beats at 21,600 vibrations per hour and offers a quoted 42–45-hour power reserve.
Because it is hand-wound, the watch has no automatic rotor. You wind it through the crown, making the movement architecture straightforward and preserving the slim profile. Zelos decorates the caliber with Côtes de Genève and blued screws, details intended to reward inspection rather than change the movement’s basic performance.
Rank #3
- Stainless steel case 40mm diameter x 14.1mm thick; Exhibition case back; Black dial; Luminous hands.Band Length: 205mm
- NH35A Japanese Automatic movement, 24 jewel; Assembled in Malaysia; Watch weight 155 grams
- Includes gift box, instructions and 3 year limited manufacturer warranty; Invicta Customer Service can be reached at 1-800-327-7682 for questions (re: Additional links, band replacement, band adjustment, warranty questions, etc.)
Price, scarcity and availability
Zelos launched the Nova 37mm Tantalum at US$1,999 on July 5, 2024, in a run of only 50 examples. Zelos’s product listing retains the US$1,999 price but is marked “Sold Out” and states “0 pieces remaining.” That establishes the official direct-sale status recorded for the model; it does not establish current availability or pricing on the secondary market.
There is no published independent laboratory accuracy test, long-term durability study or current secondary-market price survey for this model in the available coverage. As a result, whether US$1,999 represents good value depends on how much you value tantalum, the meteorite-and-aventurine dial and the limited production run; a market-based resale premium cannot be verified here.
Rank #4
- Iconic Promaster watches with advanced functions designed to venture to the deepest depths.
- 3 Hand, Date
- Silver-Tone Stainless Steel
- Luminous Hands and Markers and Mineral Crystal
- Sustainably powered by any light, with our Eco-Drive technology this watch never needs a battery. ISO Certified, 200M Water Resistant and 5 Year Limited Warranty
What comes with the watch
- Black Horween leather strap
- Travel case
- Steel warranty card
- One-year international warranty from Zelos covering manufacturing or movement defects arising from normal use
What strap fits the Zelos Nova?
The Nova uses 20mm lugs, so a 20mm strap is the correct size. A 20mm leather strap is the most direct replacement for the supplied black Horween option and preserves the watch’s dress-watch character. Check the buckle hardware and strap length when ordering, but do not choose 19mm or 21mm straps: they will not match the specified lug width.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Is the Nova 37mm Tantalum worth US$1,999?
The case for buying is specific: you receive a very light, 37mm dress-watch profile, the unusual density and finish of tantalum, a natural meteorite-and-aventurine dial and a decorated hand-wound Swiss movement in a 50-piece edition. The compromises are equally clear: the dial can be harder to read than a conventional dress watch, water resistance is 50m rather than a sports-watch rating, and the official edition is sold out, leaving no verified current-market price to compare.
Best Value
- Stainless steel case 43mm diameter x 12mm thick; Black dial; Luminous hands and hour markers
- Japanese quartz movement, PC32 Caliber; Assembled in Japan; SR626SW battery included; Watch weight: 170 grams
- Stainless steel band, 185mm L x 22mm W; Band is adjustable by adding/removing links; Fold over safety clasp
- Flame Fusion crystal; Screw down crown; Uni-directional stainless steel bezel with black top bezel ring; 100 meter water resistant: Suitable for recreational surfing, swimming, snorkeling, sailing and water sports. Not suitable for diving
For a collector seeking distinctive materials and a small hand-wound watch, those attributes make the original US$1,999 launch price understandable. For someone prioritizing maximum legibility, automatic winding or readily available after-sales stock, another model may be a better fit.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
