Nodus Sector Deep Pioneer

Nodus emerged in 2017 from the shared passion of its co-founders, Wes and Cullen. Their journey into watchmaking was fueled by a desire to translate their lifelong pursuit of excellence in various personal interests—be it music, culinary arts, or physical fitness—into the realm of horology. This venture was not merely about creating timepieces, but about crafting companions for life's myriad experiences, instruments built with a function-first design ethos intended to endure both active lifestyles and the fluctuating tides of trends. The core belief underpinning Nodus is that individuals thrive by embracing their passions, and their watches are conceived as tangible mementos of this pursuit, accompanying wearers through challenges and celebrations alike.

The Sector Series is a direct manifestation of this foundational Nodus philosophy. It was conceived from the idea that a meticulously designed watch platform could offer unparalleled versatility and functionality. The architecture of the Sector Series revolves around an adaptive midcase, engineered to accommodate various finishes and complementary components, allowing for continuous evolution. The "Sector" name itself is a nod to the historical sector dials, which, with their distinct physical boundaries of printing, texture, and finishing, found their place on a wide spectrum of watches, from military-issue instruments to formal dress pieces. This inherent adaptability means the Sector Series is designed to be equally at home on any wrist, regardless of age or the demands of the environment. While a standard versatile midcase and a sector-inspired dial are defining traits, the Sector philosophy is flexible, adapting to the specific design needs of each new iteration. This series is in a state of perpetual development, shaped by feedback from customers, friends, and collaborative Design Lab partners.



The genesis of the Sector Deep sub-collection within this series was born from an internal challenge the Nodus team posed to themselves: just how robust and over-engineered could they make an accessible tool watch? This question spurred a comprehensive re-engineering process. The case was meticulously redesigned for enhanced durability, the crystal and caseback were substantially thickened to withstand greater pressures, and the dial and hands were reconceptualized to achieve what Nodus describes as "nuclear-level luminescence" and supreme legibility under all conditions. A key outcome of this intensive development was an oversized, highly tactile bezel designed with dual functionality, cementing the Sector Deep's reputation as a serious tool watch that quickly garnered a dedicated following.

The evolution from the established Sector Deep to the new Sector Deep Pioneer was prompted by a specific request routed through Nodus's Design Lab. A specialized unit approached Nodus with a set of unique requirements for a customized Sector Deep, leading the Nodus team to once again push the boundaries of the model's capabilities. The central question became: how exceptionally functional and genuinely useful could this watch be made? The answer materializes in the Sector Deep Pioneer, a timepiece now equipped with a GMT complication and a newly integrated eight-point compass ring, transforming it into Nodus's most functionally dense offering to date, yet one that strives to maintain clarity and ease of use despite its wealth of information.

Visually, the Sector Deep Pioneer presents a compelling and assertive presence. Two distinct versions, the Admiral and the Forge, offer variations in dial color while sharing the same robust architecture. The Admiral features a rich, Deep Blue dial, providing a striking contrast to the crisp white, luminous hour markers and hands. A date window is neatly positioned at the 6 o'clock mark, maintaining the dial's symmetry. Text elements, including the "NODUS" branding and "DEEP" model signifier, are rendered for clarity. Encircling the dial, an inner chapter ring bears the eight-point compass markings – N, NE, E, SE, S, SW, W, NW – adding a layer of navigational utility directly accessible to the eye. The hands themselves are broad and generously filled with luminescent material, ensuring immediate readability.

The Forge model offers an alternative aesthetic with its stark black dial. This version maintains the same high-contrast white markers and primary hands as the Admiral. However, it distinguishes itself with a vividly colored GMT hand, often rendered in a high-visibility hue like orange or red, providing an immediate visual cue for tracking a second time zone. This touch of color extends to subtle accents on the compass rose markings of the inner bezel, further enhancing its utilitarian appeal. Both models share a substantial, black, DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coated steel bezel, characterized by deeply grooved edges for excellent grip. The bezel features a traditional 60-minute dive timer scale with clear, luminous numerals and markings, including a prominent triangle at the 12 o'clock position, alongside the compass indications. The stainless steel bracelet, with its solid construction and brushed finish, integrates seamlessly with the angular lugs of the case, contributing to the watch's purposeful and modern tool-watch look. The caseback is a solid expanse of steel, featuring an intricate geometric engraved pattern, a signature of Nodus's attention to detail, framed by engraved specifications.



At the heart of the Sector Deep Pioneer's enhanced functionality is its "caller-style" GMT movement. This type of GMT mechanism allows the 24-hour hand to be set independently, enabling the tracking of a second time zone. For the traveler or individual coordinating across different regions, this feature is invaluable, offering a quick reference without disturbing the primary timekeeping. The incorporation of the GMT complication led Nodus to rethink the bezel's role; the once-standard 12-hour bezel, often used for a quick second time zone reference, became somewhat redundant. This opened the opportunity to integrate a more specialized tool.

This specialized tool is the eight-point compass bezel, a classic field complication designed to provide a reliable method for orientation. The functionality is straightforward yet effective. In the Northern Hemisphere, the watch is laid flat, and the hour hand is pointed towards the sun. The true South lies at the midpoint of the arc between the hour hand and the 12 o'clock marker on the dial. The user then rotates the bezel until its "S" (South) marking aligns with this identified point, and the remaining cardinal and intercardinal points on the bezel will indicate the correct headings. A small adjustment is needed during Daylight Saving Time, where the 1 o'clock position is used as the reference instead of 12 o'clock.

For users finding themselves in the Southern Hemisphere, the technique is slightly modified. The 12 o'clock marker on the dial is pointed towards the sun. North is then found at the midpoint of the arc between the 12 o'clock position and the hour hand. By rotating the bezel to align its "N" (North) marking with this point, the user gains a clear sense of direction. This practical, battery-free navigation method underscores the Pioneer's role as a dependable instrument for adventurers and outdoor enthusiasts.

Exceptional legibility is a cornerstone of the Sector Deep Pioneer's design. Nodus has ensured that information is conveyed clearly and unambiguously in any lighting condition. This is achieved through the use of high-contrast hands, markers, and dial text. While each hand shares a similar overall design language, they are uniquely shaped or colored to signify their specific functions, preventing misinterpretation at a glance. The application of Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9 Grade A is extensive. Not only are all hands and the standard hour markers generously coated, but the 24-hour dial markers, the dual scales on the bezel (both the 60-minute timer and the compass headings), and even the date numeral itself are luminous. This commitment to comprehensive illumination means that in deep darkness or murky underwater environments, all critical information remains brightly visible, bolstering the Pioneer's claim as Nodus's most functional watch.



The Sector Deep Pioneer boasts what Nodus describes as "unconventional proportions," a design choice that contributes significantly to its unique wrist presence and practical advantages. The watch features an oversized 42mm wide bezel that sits atop a more compact 38mm midcase. Combined with a thickness of 13.6mm and a lug-to-lug length of 47mm, the initial impression is that of a large, substantial watch. However, Nodus asserts that it feels significantly smaller and more wearable on the wrist than these dimensions might suggest.

This perceived wearability is largely attributed to the four millimeters of bezel overhang that encircles the midcase. This design feature serves multiple purposes. Firstly, it provides an exceptionally secure and easy-to-grip surface for manipulating the bezel, even with gloved hands or in wet conditions. Secondly, this overhang acts as an additional protective shroud for the crown, guarding it against impacts from above. Perhaps most significantly, this extended bezel diameter drastically increases the available surface area for integrating complications. Nodus has leveraged this extra real estate to incorporate both the traditional elapsed timing scale essential for diving and the detailed eight-point compass rose, all without making the dial itself feel cluttered.

Further enhancing its distinctive design and ergonomic considerations, the Sector Deep Pioneer employs a "destro" crown placement. This means the crown is located on the left side of the case, at the 9 o'clock position, rather than the traditional 3 o'clock. For individuals who wear their watches on the left wrist, this configuration offers two main advantages: it prevents the crown from digging into the back of the hand during articulation, and it provides further protection to the crown from accidental impacts, as it's less exposed during many common activities. This thoughtful detail caters to wearer comfort and reinforces the watch's robust, tool-oriented nature.

The case of the Sector Deep Pioneer is constructed from 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, a material renowned for its corrosion resistance and durability. The specific dimensions – a 42mm bezel width paired with a 38mm case width, a thickness of 13.6mm, a 47mm lug-to-lug distance, and a 20mm lug width – are central to its unique aesthetic and ergonomic profile. The crown is a screw-down type, essential for ensuring the watch's impressive water resistance and protecting the movement from dust and moisture ingress. This secure design requires the crown to be unscrewed before time or date adjustments can be made and screwed back down tightly afterwards.



Protecting the dial is a flat sapphire crystal. Sapphire is chosen for its exceptional scratch resistance, second only to diamond, ensuring the watch face remains clear and legible even after hard use. An anti-reflective coating applied to the underside of the crystal minimizes glare and reflections, further enhancing visibility across various lighting conditions. The bezel itself is a 120-click uni-directional rotating mechanism, a standard for dive watches, allowing for precise and secure setting of elapsed time. Its dual functionality, incorporating both the 60-minute timer and the compass scale, is a hallmark of the Pioneer. The bezel insert is made from DLC matte black steel, chosen for its toughness and stealthy appearance, and is fully lumed, meaning all its markings glow in the dark.

A critical specification for any watch designed for aquatic adventure is its water resistance, and the Sector Deep Pioneer excels in this area with a rating of 500 meters. This substantial depth rating means the watch is suitable for serious recreational diving, including mixed-gas saturation diving, and far exceeds the requirements for swimming, snorkeling, or any surface water sports. This level of water resistance is achieved through a combination of the screw-down crown, robust case construction, thickened crystal, and precisely engineered caseback seals.

The Sector Deep Pioneer is equipped with a stainless steel bracelet that tapers from 20mm at the lugs down to 16mm at the clasp. This tapering enhances wearing comfort by reducing bulk and allowing the bracelet to conform more naturally to the wrist. The bracelet features Nodus's proprietary NodeX™ Clasp, a robust and secure closure system designed for reliability. Adding to its practicality, the bracelet is fitted with quick-release springbars. This system allows for easy removal and swapping of the bracelet without the need for specialized tools, enabling the wearer to quickly change to a different strap option, like a rubber or nylon strap, to suit their activity or preference.

Powering the Sector Deep Pioneer is the TMI NH34 automatic GMT movement, sourced from Japan. Seiko Instruments Inc. (SII), also known as TMI, is a well-regarded manufacturer of reliable and robust movements. The NH34 is a "caller" GMT, featuring 24 jewels and providing a power reserve of approximately 41 hours when fully wound. This ensures the watch will continue running for nearly two days off the wrist. The movement also possesses antimagnetic properties, rated at ? 4800 A/m (Amperes per meter), offering protection against everyday magnetic fields that could otherwise affect its accuracy. Nodus takes an extra step by regulating these movements in-house to achieve an accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per day, a tighter tolerance than the manufacturer's standard specification, ensuring commendable timekeeping performance.



The story of Nodus is deeply intertwined with the personal drive of its founders, Wes and Cullen. Their philosophy, encapsulated in the brand's name, centers on the "intersection of pathways"—the experiences, passions, and ambitions that collectively shape an individual. Their venture into watchmaking in 2017 was a deliberate move to transform their most significant passion into something larger. They see watches not just as instruments for telling time, but as vital companions that mark adversity, celebrate milestones, and prepare one for future endeavors. This perspective fuels their "function-first" design ethos, which prioritizes utility and durability, ensuring their timepieces can withstand the rigors of an active life while also transcending fleeting fashion trends. Their stated aim is to provide watch collectors worldwide with the same sense of gratification, solace, and ambition that they found in creating their own watches. Nodus envisions a world where people confidently embrace their identities and pursue their passions. Each Nodus watch, designed and assembled in Los Angeles, is built for these significant moments and journeys.

Both the Sector Deep Pioneer - Admiral and the Sector Deep Pioneer - Forge are priced at $625. These watches, designed and assembled in Los Angeles, represent Nodus's effort to provide highly functional, robust, and thoughtfully engineered timepieces at an accessible price point. Given their specialized feature set, including the GMT complication and the unique compass bezel, coupled with their durable construction and 500-meter water resistance, they offer a compelling package for adventurers, travelers, and watch enthusiasts seeking a tool watch that goes beyond basic timekeeping.

Case: 316L surgical-grade stainless steel; 42mm bezel width, 38mm case width, 13.6mm thickness, 47mm lug-to-lug, 20mm lug width; Screw-down "destro" crown; Flat sapphire crystal, blue anti-reflective underside coating; 120-click uni-directional DLC matte black steel bezel (fully lumed) with dual 60-minute and compass function; 500 meters water resistance.

Movement: TMI NH34 (GMT) automatic; Japan origin; 24 jewels; 41 hours power reserve; Antimagetic ? 4800 A/m; Accuracy +/- 10 seconds per day (regulated by Nodus); Caller-style GMT.

Dial: Admiral (Deep Blue) or Forge (Black) options; High-contrast hands, markers, dial text; Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 Grade A on hands, hour markers, 24-hour markers, bezel scales, date; Integrated eight-point compass ring.

Strap: Stainless steel bracelet; 20mm tapering to 16mm; Proprietary NodeX™ Clasp; Quick-release springbars.

Price: $625.00

Notes: Nodus's most overbuilt and functional tool watch; Features GMT and unique eight-point compass bezel; Unconventional 42mm bezel on 38mm midcase design for distinctive look and enhanced grip; Designed and assembled in Los Angeles.