Before the Apple Watch was released, I wasn’t sure that it needed a dock or stand — the included charger would be enough, right? But after actually using the Watch, and noting that Apple included a dock with Edition models, I realized that these accessories had a functional purpose: they kept metal and metal-accented Apple Watch bands from rubbing against nightstands during charging. Some of the dock designs also looked really cool. When I compiled our guide to the best Apple Watch stands and docks, a few definitely looked like objects I’d want to keep on my nightstand, while others definitely did not.
From the first time I saw it, Nomad’s Stand for Apple Watch ($60) stood out as particularly compelling. I have a thing for futuristic accessories, though they rarely have the right combination of looks and pricing. Inexpensive ones too often look kitschy or geeky, while nicely designed ones tend to be unaffordable. Nomad has struck just the right balance, coming up with an elegant design at a reasonable price…
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Made from a single piece of aluminum with a small rubber pad on the bottom, the Nomad Stand has the sort of substantial heft that is missing from many aluminum accessories; it’s solid, and doesn’t feel capable of being accidentally bent. Nomad chose a unique shape that looks like a C, but with a flat base that gently curves into a roughly 45-degree-angled top. The silver version I tested looks perfect with the silver Apple Watch and Apple Watch Sport, while the space gray version tested by my colleague Mark Gurman is a great match for Apple’s space gray Apple Watch Sport and space black Apple Watch models.
While the front of the C is entirely smooth, the back is machined with a cable-sized groove that holds the official Apple Watch Magnetic Charging Cable inside. Like every Apple Watch dock, you have to supply one of these cables yourself, and Nomad’s Stand supports both the all-plastic Apple Watch Sport version and the fancier metal-clad ones that are sold separately and bundled with regular Apple Watches. The slightly thicker all-plastic Sport charger sticks out a little more than the metal version, which actually has a benefit. With either Charging Cable installed, removing your Watch is as simple as pulling it forward, but with the thicker Sport cable, there’s less of a chance that the Watch’s metal back will accidentally make contact with the Stand’s unpadded metal surface.
Installation is super easy: just feed the USB plug through the hole in the top, secure the magnetic disk inside the hole, then gently push the cable into the grooves. The Stand’s bottom has a small curve designed to lock your cable in place; it works, but could benefit from a little adhesive assistance. Once everything’s assembled, the fun begins. The Stand holds your Watch roughly 2.75″ above your nightstand using magnetic magic, enabling the timepiece to rest — and properly charge — on an impossibly unsupported angle. Viewed straight on with a mounted 42mm Apple Watch, you can just barely see the edge of the recess in Stand’s top where the Charging Cable is managed, which I’d consider a 1% visual demerit versus the otherwise 99% great design. On even a slight angle, that edge isn’t visible.
It’s early in the Apple Watch’s life to declare any stand “great,” but from my perspective, Nomad’s Stand deserves that level of acclaim. Minimalist yet gorgeous, the design looks great with the Apple Watch, feels completely solid, and represents a reasonable value for the asking price. If I was choosing a dock for my Apple Watch, this would certainly be my first pick.
| Manufacturer: Nomad |
Price: $60 |
Compatibility: Apple Watch |
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Would like to see a comparative review between the Twelve South Hi-Rise- (the other obvious choice for a quality stand) and the Spigen (much cheaper)
Would also like to see such a comparative review include the Watchtower from 10Design, LLC. and Pad&Quill’s wooden stand as well since both are the only one’s made in the USA that I know of.
Don’t like that wooden stand, looks home-made.
Looks both slick and functional, but after shelling out so much already for the Watch/bands I went with the Spigen for 60% less :P
I got the Spigen one too! How do you like yours? I love mine but the only issue I have with it is it weighs next to nothing. This typically isn’t an issue for me, unless I’m taking the watch off in the morning.
Nice but way overpriced for a little piece of metal.
These docks are a terrible idea for your watch. The aluminum will scuff up and scrape your watch constantly. The whole point of wireless charging is to not have to carefully or exactly place the watch on the charge. You will have to place the watch perfectly every single time to keep from scratching the soft aluminum on the sport model.
Sorry but this dock stand is a really bad idea in the same way aluminum laptop stands are. Only this is much worse.
No it won’t scratch anything, you’d have to try very hard:
1) Both the Watch Sport and the stand have nearly the same if not exactly the same hardness since both are anodized aluminum. Only harder materials easily scratch softer ones.
2) There are no sharp edges on the front to come into contact with.
3) The magnet will auto center the watch, no need to put any pressure or ever touch the stand.
I actually tested it with both the Sport and standard Apple chargers. Even when the Watch is removed on an angle from the stand, it makes zero contact when the thicker Sport charger is installed. You have to be a little more careful when using the thinner standard Apple charger, but it’s still not likely to be an issue.
It’ll be an issue over time, you’ll see wear on SS models. A simple rubber pad on the top immediately fixes this, along with stabilizing the watch. I pre-ordered this quite a while ago, but it is overpriced for a single molded piece of aluminum.
i would like to know, if you can pull out the apple watch with one hand, after charging… or would you need two hands for this?
One hand is enough.
I don’t disagree with you often, Jeremy, but “reasonable” price? This thing must be amazing for that price tag. As much as I would love to have this, and as gorgeous as it is, $60 seems high.
James, although I agree in principle, raw materials do acquire value from the way they’re designed into finished products. And this particular stand actually feels like it’s worth the asking price, unlike some others.
If you take a quick look at our guide to Apple Watch stands and docks, you’ll see that the price tag is right in line with competing docks made from the same materials. I personally happen to really like Nomad’s design.
Well, you have yet to steer me wrong, so I’ll take your word for it!
Very cool, looks better than the 12 south one, but the price is downright ridiculous.
By far, the most elegant of the Apple watch stands to date. The copper in the base was a really great idea.
I ordered mine on April 7th. They took my $ but the stand never came. It’s been almost 3 months now.
Let the buyer beware.
Now says shipping June 25th on the front page of their website.
A lot of watch accessories seem to have been delayed into production.
Hello? Think twice before ordering anything from @nomadgoods They will tell you it shipped. That’s it. No product, no updates, looks like FRAUD. Ordered a stand on May 2. Supposedly “shipped” on 6/1. Tracking info has not changed since “Item pre-advice received” 14 days ago. BUYER BEWARE! Check their Twitter feed and Facebook page–it’s blowing up with the same comments: No word, no update, no product, no tracking, no replies. Stay away.
I finally received mine today so don’t give up hope. Their shipper leaves much to be desired. I did get tracking info.
Mine arrived today too. Nice stand, well made and heavy. Order tracking and shipping was abysmally bad. Ordered on May 2. First tracing update on June 1. No movement for 9 days. Re shipped on June 9. New number to track with, no movement for almost 3 weeks, then terrible USPS tracking. For $60 I would have expected Fedex or UPS at least.
Ordered the Space Grey one over a month ago directly from Nomad and still have not received it. Apparently these are made in Hong Kong (or somewhere else in HK and shipped from there). They charged the credit card immediately, but the stand did not even leave HK for another 2-3 weeks. The tracking information says it is currently at US Customs. This might be a nice stand, but I would suggest you skip it.
Looking at their past Kickstarter (?) history it took them 6 months to finish and deliver their key ring-mounted USB to lightning adapter, which is not very impressive either.