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The NOMOS Orion 33 gold and Orion 38 silver are two hand-wound watches introduced together in 2021, but they are not simply the same watch in different colors. The gold-dial ref. 358 is more compact and has rhodium-plated hands; the silver-dial ref. 378 is larger, with gold-plated hands and a longer 48 mm lug-to-lug span. Current NOMOS product pages also list different water-resistance ratings and market-specific prices.
What is the difference between the Orion 33 gold and Orion 38 silver?
The most useful fit comparison is diameter together with lug-to-lug length: the Orion 33 measures 32.8 mm across and 42.3 mm from lug tip to lug tip, while the Orion 38 measures 38 mm across and 48 mm lug-to-lug. Both have stainless-steel cases, domed sapphire crystals and hand-wound Alpha movements. Their dial finishes, hands, listed water resistance and supplied straps differ.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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Nomos Orion White Dial Stainless Steel Unisex Watch 309 | $2,650.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Nomos Orion Galvanized White Dial Unisex Watch 301 | $2,200.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Nomos Tangente 33 Duo Manual Winding White Dial Unisex Watch 120 | $1,783.60 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Nomos Orion Neomatik Automatic Midnight Blue Dial Men's Watch 363 | $4,350.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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Nomos Orion 38 Datum Weib White Dial Stainless Steel Men's Watch 381 | $3,060.00 | Buy on Amazon |
| Specification | Orion 33 gold, ref. 358 | Orion 38 silver, ref. 378 |
|---|---|---|
| Case diameter | 32.8 mm | 38 mm |
| Height | 7.6 mm | 7.9 mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 42.3 mm | 48 mm |
| Case and caseback | Stainless steel / stainless steel | Stainless steel / stainless steel |
| Dial | Polished, galvanized, gold-plated | Polished, galvanized, silver-plated |
| Hands | Rhodium-plated | Gold-plated |
| Crystal | Domed sapphire | Domed sapphire |
| Water resistance | 5 atm; NOMOS labels it splash-proof | 3 atm; NOMOS labels it splash-proof |
| Winding and caliber | Manual / Alpha | Manual / Alpha |
| Power reserve and jewels | Up to 43 hours / 17 jewels | Up to 43 hours / 17 jewels |
| Strap shown on current product page | Gray velour leather | Anthracite velour leather; 19 mm lug width |
| Displayed price and availability | USD 2,180 on the NOMOS page accessed in 2026 | EUR 2,180 including VAT on the Italian NOMOS page accessed in 2026; shown as sold out online there at access time |
Specifications, displayed prices and stock status are from the current NOMOS Orion 33 gold product page and NOMOS Italian Orion 38 silver product page, accessed in 2026. The prices are from different market pages and should not be treated as a like-for-like price comparison.
How does the Orion 38 wear on the wrist?
The 38 mm diameter gives the ref. 378 a noticeably larger case than the Orion 33, but the 48 mm lug-to-lug measurement is the figure to check against your wrist and preferred fit. Its 7.9 mm height is slim on paper, while its longer footprint may matter more than thickness for someone whose wrists are narrower or who prefers a compact watch. NOMOS’s modeled wrist images are illustrative; they are not independent fit tests.
#1 Best Overall
- Featuring a Black Band, Silver-tone Case, Scratch Resistant Sapphire Crystal
For comparison, the Orion 33’s current listed 42.3 mm lug-to-lug and 32.8 mm diameter make it the more compact option by both measurements. Neither dimension alone can determine comfort: wrist shape, strap adjustment and personal preference also affect how a watch sits. The current Orion 38 page specifies a 19 mm lug width, useful when checking strap compatibility.
What do the dials and hands look like?
Orion 33 gold
The ref. 358 pairs a polished, galvanized gold-plated dial with rhodium-plated hands. The warm dial and cooler-toned hands create a more restrained contrast than the gold-on-silver arrangement of its counterpart. NOMOS describes the design principle as “Pairing down to leave only what is essential does not negate balanced perfection.”
Rank #2
- Nomos Orion Galvanized White Dial Unisex Watch 301
Orion 38 silver
The ref. 378 uses a polished, galvanized silver-plated dial, with gold-plated hands. NOMOS says, “Gold-plated indices and hands add warmth to the white silver-plated dial.” The gold details provide a warmer accent against the lighter dial, rather than making the watch an all-gold design.
What movement is in the Orion watches?
Both current product pages list NOMOS’s Alpha caliber, a manual-winding movement with 17 jewels and up to 43 hours of power reserve. Manual winding means the wearer winds the watch rather than relying on wrist movement to wind it automatically. “Up to” matters: the stated reserve is a maximum, not a guarantee of the same running time under every condition.
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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsRank #3
- Nomos Tangente 33 Duo Manual Winding White Dial Unisex Watch 120
Is the Orion 38 silver water resistant?
NOMOS currently lists the Orion 38 at 3 atm and labels it splash-proof. The Orion 33 page lists 5 atm and also labels that model splash-proof. These ratings should not be read as permission for swimming or diving; follow the manufacturer’s guidance for the specific watch and avoid treating the word “water resistant” as a promise of suitability for water sports.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What did the 2021 launch coverage report?
Monochrome’s hands-on feature, published 25 November 2021, described the pair as new releases and reported launch prices of €1,460 for the Orion 33 and €1,600 for the Orion 38. Those are historical launch prices, not current quotes. Its listed launch-era specifications differ from the present NOMOS product pages: Monochrome gave heights of 8.5 mm and 8.9 mm, 30 m water resistance for both, and references 359 and 379. NOMOS’s current pages identify refs. 358 and 378 and list the dimensions and ratings in the comparison above. The sources do not explain the discrepancies, so they should be understood as differences between the published records rather than evidence of a particular product revision. Read Monochrome’s 2021 hands-on report.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Featuring a Black Band, Silver-tone Case, Scratch Resistant Sapphire Crystal
Rank #4
- Nomos Orion Neomatik Automatic Midnight Blue Dial Men's Watch 363
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.
