Nodus Sector II Field Titanium DLC

A new, stealthy interpretation of the modern field watch has emerged from Los Angeles, channeling a spirit of tactical utility while packing in a host of material upgrades. The Nodus Sector II Field Titanium DLC is a limited-edition release that builds on the brand's popular Sector platform, this time opting for an aesthetic that is subdued, lightweight, and exceptionally durable. Following a recent earthen-toned "Tropical" release, this new model shifts its focus to a contemporary, under-the-radar character. It's a watch that honors the field-tested heritage of its ancestors—timepieces that had to endure mud, heat, and relentless campaigning—by re-imagining that toughness for a new generation. Limited to just 75 pieces worldwide, this watch is a concentrated expression of the brand's design ethos.



Nodus itself is a relatively young company, established in 2017, but it has quickly cultivated a dedicated following by focusing on purpose-built wristwatches. Based in Los Angeles, the brand differentiates itself in a crowded market by committing to a level of domestic involvement that is rare at its price point. While Nodus utilizes a global supply chain for high-quality components, every single one of its watches is assembled, regulated, and thoroughly tested in its LA workshop. This hands-on approach allows the company to ensure a high standard of quality control and, most notably, to regulate the movements in-house to a degree of accuracy that far surpasses the manufacturer's base specifications.



The company's philosophy is built on three core pillars, which it refers to as Nodus Extension, Design Lab, and Intersect. Nodus Extension is the research and design division, an internal R&D arm dedicated to exploring new manufacturing possibilities, testing materials, and creating cutting-edge solutions for components like crown tubes, bezel mechanisms, and clasps. This is the technical heart of the brand. The Design Lab pillar represents a collaborative spirit, inviting designers, watchmakers, and even the Nodus community to contribute to the creative process and push the boundaries of watch design.



Finally, the Intersect pillar is about fostering a real-world community. Created in 2021, Intersect is a gathering for collectors, creators, and industry professionals that aims to be more than just a typical watch show. It's a platform for dialogue and a celebration of craftsmanship, now run as a joint venture between Nodus, Formex, and Jack Mason. This three-pronged approach demonstrates a holistic vision: Nodus is not just selling watches, but actively participating in the evolution of watch design, manufacturing, and the enthusiast community that supports it all.



This new timepiece is a product of the "Sector" concept, which is foundational to the Nodus catalog. The Sector philosophy was born from the belief that a single, well-designed platform could be incredibly versatile. The core of this idea is a standard midcase architecture that is intentionally adaptive, able to accommodate different finishes, bezels, and dial configurations. This allows the Sector Series to evolve and spawn watches for a variety of purposes—from diving to flying to, in this case, field use. The name is also a nod to the "sector dial" of the 20th century, a design that used physical boundaries like printing and texture to divide the dial. These dials were famously versatile, appearing on military-spec watches, formal dress pieces, and everything in between.



The Sector II Field Titanium DLC LE is a striking example of this philosophy in action, taking the base Sector II platform and rendering it in modern, tactical materials. The case is crafted from Grade 2 titanium, a material chosen specifically for its practical benefits. Titanium is intensely corrosion-resistant, completely hypoallergenic, and, most famously, incredibly lightweight. With a watch head weighing only 45 grams, the piece nearly disappears on the wrist, offering a level of comfort that steel simply cannot match. This high strength-to-weight ratio delivers performance comparable to stainless steel without any of the bulk, making it an ideal choice for a watch meant to be worn all day, every day, in any condition.



Of course, titanium has a well-known vulnerability: it is generally more prone to showing scratches than 316L stainless steel. Nodus addresses this issue head-on by applying an ultra-hard, carbon-based layer known as a Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating. This is not the standard PVD coating one might find on other blacked-out watches. DLC is significantly more scratch and wear-resistant, providing a long-lasting protective shell over the matte, bead-blasted titanium surface. This coating doesn't just add durability against impacts and corrosion; it defines the watch's entire personality, draping the case, bezel, and crown in a deep, muted shadow.



The case architecture itself has been meticulously re-engineered for this second generation of the Sector series. The watch boasts a very wearable 38mm case width, a 47mm lug-to-lug measurement that ensures it will fit a wide variety of wrists, and a 20mm lug width for strap versatility. The most impressive specification, however, is its thickness. Nodus has managed to achieve a slender 11.7mm profile while still maintaining a robust 100 meters of water resistance. This is no small feat for an automatic watch and is supported by the inclusion of a grippy, screw-down crown, which is also finished in the matching matte black DLC.



A key component in achieving this slim profile is the robust box-shaped sapphire crystal. This crystal shape is not just a stylistic choice; it's a piece of clever engineering. Its design allows the dial and hands to sit closer to the glass, with the dial assembly pushed slightly up into the crystal's cavity. The result is an extremely efficient design that shaves precious millimeters off the total case height, all while providing the visual pop and scratch-resistance that sapphire is known for. The underside of the crystal is treated with a blue anti-reflective coating, which cuts glare and enhances the legibility of the dynamic dial below.



Visually, the dial is the star of the show, perfectly complementing the stealthy exterior. It’s a multi-layered design with a complex, cool gray and blue color palette. It fully embraces the "sector" name, featuring a depressed central portion that contains a 24-hour military time scale and the "TITANIUM" text. This center section has a subtle, grained texture. Encircling this is a raised outer ring, which holds the primary, oversized Arabic numerals. These applied numerals are rendered in a clean, legible font and, combined with the black-framed syringe-style hands, provide instant readability—the prime directive of any field watch.



The dial's color is not a flat, simple gray. It's a dynamic, cool tone that shifts in the light. This is contrasted by a few deliberate pops of color. A bright blue inner flange, or chapter ring, circles the entire dial, adding a vibrant electric-blue highlight that frames the display. This blue is visible from oblique angles and gives the watch a modern, technical feel. The other color accent is found on the tip of the black stick-seconds hand, which is painted with a bright red triangle outlined in white. This small touch of red is a classic field watch design cue, aiding in at-a-glance confirmation that the watch is running.



For low-light visibility, this watch is equipped with Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9 Grade A. This is a premium-grade luminous compound known for its bright and long-lasting glow. When charged, it emits a cool blue-green light, perfectly matching the dial's color scheme and ensuring that the hands and markers remain legible long after the sun goes down. The fixed, sloping bezel that surrounds the crystal is also DLC-coated, providing a final, non-reflective frame for the highly functional dial.



Powering the Sector II Field is the TMI NH38 caliber. This is a Japanese-made automatic movement from Seiko Instruments Inc., and it's a particularly smart choice for this design. The NH38 is a "no-date" version of the ubiquitous NH35, meaning it was designed from the ground up without a date wheel. For a symmetrical field watch dial, this is the perfect movement, as it eliminates the "ghost position" in the crown-winding mechanism. It’s a robust, reliable workhorse movement, featuring 24 jewels, a 41-hour power reserve, and antimagnetic protection up to 4800 A/m.



The movement's inclusion here is not the end of the story. While the stock accuracy of an NH38 is typically a wide -20 to +40 seconds per day, Nodus takes the extra, critical step of regulating each movement in-house. This is part of their final assembly process in Los Angeles. The brand regulates the NH38 to an impressive accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per day, a specification that rivals watches at much higher price points and adds a significant, tangible value for the owner.



This limited edition is paired with a strap that is just as technical as the watch itself. It's a DPM Hybrid TecTuff® Rubber Strap, which is a rugged twist on one of the brand's most popular strap designs. The "DPM" stands for Disruptive Pattern Material, a subtle, integrated camouflage pattern in the black material that reinforces the watch's military-inspired, stealthy character. The "Hybrid" name refers to its two-part construction, which is designed for both durability and comfort.



The top of the strap is made from TecTuff, a high-end performance coating. This material is known for its exceptional resistance to abrasions, oils, and stains. It's also water-resistant, making it a perfect match for a 100-meter capable watch. You get the rugged, textured look of a high-tech fabric, but with the durability of a coated material.



The foundation of the strap, the part that sits against the skin, is made from NBR rubber. This is a high-strength rubber widely used in diving applications because it is comfortable, flexible, and completely waterproof. This hybrid design offers the best of both worlds: a tough, abrasion-resistant exterior and a soft, comfortable, sweat-proof interior that Nodus claims will "instantly mold to the wrist."



The strap is finished with practical, user-friendly features. It includes quick-release springbars, allowing for easy, tool-free strap changes. The hardware is also thoughtfully matched to the case. It features a solid titanium buckle, which is also coated in the same matte black DLC, ensuring the entire piece maintains its cohesive, stealth-bomber aesthetic from one end to the other. It is designed to fit wrists up to 8 inches in circumference.



This watch is a limited edition of only 75 pieces worldwide, making it a rare offering. The Sector II Field Titanium - DLC LE will be priced at $575.00 USD. Ordering is set to open on Wednesday, November 5, at 9:00 AM Pacific Time, exclusively on the Nodus website. Shipping for online orders will begin just two days later, on Friday, November 7. For those who want to see it in person, the watch will also be available for purchase at the Intersect Austin event on November 7 and November 8 in Austin, Texas.



Case: Grade 2 Titanium with matte DLC coating. 38mm width x 11.7mm thickness x 47mm lug-to-lug x 20mm lug width. Box sapphire crystal with blue anti-reflective coating. Screw-down crown. 100 meters water resistance. 45g watch head weight.

Movement: TMI NH38 automatic caliber. 24 jewels. 41-hour power reserve. Antimagnetic ? 4800 A / m. Regulated by Nodus to +/- 10 seconds per day.

Dial: Cool gray and blue hues with applied Arabic numerals. Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 Grade A.

Strap: DPM Hybrid TecTuff® Rubber Strap with matching DLC-coated titanium buckle. 20mm lug width. Fits up to 8 inch wrist.

Price: $575.00

Notes: Limited to 75 pieces worldwide. Case is lightweight, hypoallergenic Grade 2 titanium with a highly scratch-resistant Diamond-Like Carbon (DLC) coating. Assembled and regulated in Los Angeles.