Nodus is a relatively new brand that has quickly made a name for itself.
Pursuing the creation of increasingly refined products, the Los Angeles-based brand has gained dedicated followers. We have repeatedly covered previous Nodus releases, which showcase the versatility of its design. Therefore, it's interesting to follow the brand's development. With the new Contrail GMT model, the third generation of the Contrail line, Nodus has created a series of traveler watches that immediately caught my interest. A modern flyer-style GMT in a relatively thin case priced under €1,000 - what's not to like?
Nodus has been around since 2017, but I first learned about this brand in 2022. The quality of the case and bracelet set these watches apart. Reviews on models like the Sector Deep, Sector GMT, and Unity further confirmed this quality. What struck me was that Nodus is not afraid to change the design of its watches. I enjoyed seeing the Sector Deep with a blue dial, and the new Contrail GMT series appealed to me. Thanks to some significant improvements, the new Contrail GMT immediately became one of the best available GMT watches.
Familiar Vibes in the Nodus Contrail GMT
Let's start with the design of the Contrail GMT. The first stylistic reference that immediately comes to mind is the GMT line from Grand Seiko in the Sport collection. In the past, we have reviewed models SBGJ237 and SBGJ239 from this series. This year, for the "Watches and Wonders" journal, I wrote about the SBGJ277 model, the latest addition to this lineup. So, are the visual connections really that bad? In my opinion, no. I really love this Grand Seiko series. Additionally, Nodus offers four Contrail GMT models that present a similar aesthetic in a better size and at a different price. Therefore, I was eager to learn more.
The four Contrail GMT models have an updated stainless steel case with a diameter of 40.5 mm, a thickness of 11.8 mm (including the domed crystal), a length of 46.6 mm from tip to tip, and a lug width of 20 mm. These watches are 1 mm wider than the second generation of the three-hand Contrail, which used the Miyota 9015 movement. However, despite housing a GMT movement that is 1.02 mm thick, Nodus managed to make the new Contrail 0.8 mm thinner. The model also has water resistance up to 200 meters and a bi-directional 48-click bezel with a luminous 24-hour sapphire insert. These two features also connect us to Grand Seiko models, but the bezel, in particular, is a detail I adore. It's one of those visual tricks that also serves a practical purpose.
Four Distinct Contrail GMT Models with Distinct Character
Nodus has created four different versions, each with its own special charm. The brand used three different dial textures, and all models feature dials with applied indices and a date positioned at "6 o'clock". The first model - Polaris - has a white matte dial with a blue tint and a black-and-white GMT bezel.
The second model - Impulse - features a blue dial with a yellow hue and a blue-and-white bezel insert. Both models look sharp and clean. A detail that immediately stands out is the 24-hour GMT hand. The chevron design of the tip is based on half of the Nodus brand logo.
The third and fourth models have similar dials with a sand texture. The first model - Laguna - has a sand-colored dial with a red accent and a black-and-gray bezel insert. Due to the dark gray color, it's hard to notice the difference, but it is there. Finally, the Terra model has a black dial with red accents and a black-and-white bezel insert, like the Polaris.
These last two dial options returned by popular demand, and I understand why. Both options offer an aesthetic that departs from familiar visual references. But it's not just about the dial and bezel color. If you zoom in on each dial, you'll see intricate design details.
A Wealth of Intricate Details on the Dial
Firstly, the date discs match the color of the dial. The date color is also applied to the accent color of the dial and the GMT hand. Another detail that caught my eye is the 24-hour scale on the rehaut of the dial. Although the 24-hour scale is on the bezel insert, this additional scale adds practicality, allowing the watch owner to track three time zones at once. It's a thoughtful detail that enhances the design even further.
The indices and hands are coated with white BGW9 Super-LumiNova, which glows blue in the dark. Combined with the luminous sapphire bezel insert, the watch is easy to read at night. I like that Nodus has put a lot of effort into designing four models that look different but share the same attention to detail.
The Miyota 9075 Caliber Powers the Contrail GMT Watches
Behind the stainless steel case back lies the popular Miyota 9075 movement. This affordable movement has quickly become the most popular GMT caliber choice among small brands. As a flyer-style GMT movement, it offers the practicality of independent 12-hour hand adjustment for local time. This makes the watch particularly useful for travel. Since the hand is adjusted in one-hour increments without stopping the second hand, setting the time to your destination takes just a few seconds. The automatic movement operates at 28,800 beats per hour, has 24 jewels, and provides a 42-hour power reserve.
As you can see, the movement has a rather simple finish, but it offers the much-desired flyer function that many watch enthusiasts love. Therefore, this movement is a staple for many brands. While I have always argued that if a GMT looks stunning, I can do without a flyer-style movement, the growing number of brands offering such watches makes it harder and harder to ignore them.
Flat-Link Bracelet with Adjustable NodeX Clasp
If the previous Contrail model had a softer H-link bracelet, all four new watches feature a three-row flat-link bracelet with an adjustable NodeX clasp. The adjustment is 10 mm, and the NodeX module ensures a perfect fit with just the press of a button. Additionally, the bracelet tapers smoothly from 20 to 16 mm and is equipped with screws for easy sizing. Quick-release spring bars also make it easy to switch from bracelet to strap.
This is a highly functional bracelet with a predominantly matte finish. Only the angular edges of the links have a polished finish, adding a special appeal. Although I haven't seen the bracelet in real life, it seems to complement the watch perfectly and is equipped with everything needed from a modern bracelet in terms of practicality.
Final Thoughts on the Updated Nodus Contrail GMT Series
These new and improved Nodus Contrail GMT models feel like a complete package. They have everything you might need from a modern GMT: an updated, thinner case, a flyer-style movement, and a very practical bracelet. Moreover, each of the four models has its own special charm.
My favorites are the two dials with the sand texture, with the black variant being my slight favorite. Priced at $825, these new Nodus Contrail GMTs stand out in a competitive market. With a growing number of affordable great offerings from various small brands, the competition is getting tougher.
But I have no doubt that these new Nodus GMTs will quickly find their fans. Since 2017, the brand has focused on continuously improving its watches, and the new Contrail GMT is a great testament to that. I can't wait to learn more about these watches in a practical review. The new Nodus Contrail GMT watches seem to be among the most aesthetically pleasing offerings for this money, which is a significant achievement in an era where we have more options than ever.
All four Nodus Contrail GMT models are already available on the brand's official website. Let us know what you think of these new watches in the comments below.