Nodus Sentinel For Ammo NYC

In the sphere of specialized tool watches, collaborations often arise from shared market demographics or aesthetic alignments. The Nodus Sentinel for AMMO NYC, however, is born from a far more practical and tangible origin: the direct, real-world problem faced by a professional whose hands are his most valuable asset. This timepiece is not merely an automotive-themed watch; it is a meticulously engineered solution for Larry Kosilla, the founder of AMMO NYC, and by extension, for anyone who works with precision and care around delicate, high-value surfaces.

Larry Kosilla has carved out a formidable reputation in the automotive world. His brand, AMMO NYC, is synonymous with an almost fanatical dedication to the art and science of car detailing. Through his popular YouTube channel and professional work on some of the globe's rarest automobiles, Kosilla champions a philosophy of uncompromising standards. For years, one persistent annoyance plagued his workflow: the watch on his wrist. A standard timepiece, with its sharp metal edges, protruding crown, and hard crystal, represented a constant threat to the flawless paint and pristine surfaces he so painstakingly labors to protect. This collaboration with Nodus is the answer to that long-standing issue.



The partnership between Nodus and AMMO NYC is rooted deeper than a simple business agreement. It's a story of a lifelong friendship between Larry Kosilla and Matt Farah, a key figure associated with Nodus. Their entrepreneurial journey began together with a car wash, a venture that later blossomed into an early YouTube channel where they developed their skills in front of the camera. This shared history ensures the project is infused with genuine understanding and a mutual goal, moving far beyond a simple co-branding exercise. The project’s inception was clear: this would not be a new color variant or a logo addition, but a fundamental rethinking of what a modern tool watch can be for a hands-on professional.

The foundational case of the watch is the same one originally designed by Matt Farah for his Nodus Canyon model, but its application here is a complete re-engineering. The core premise was to create a professional-grade watch that would not scratch the very object its wearer is trying to preserve. This guiding principle led to a suite of modifications driven by real-world function, establishing a new paradigm for an automotive-inspired watch that prioritizes damage mitigation without sacrificing the essential capabilities of a robust tool watch.

The case itself is crafted from 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, a material chosen for its high corrosion resistance and durability, making it an industry standard for quality sports watches. The dimensions are thoughtfully proportioned for broad appeal and comfort, measuring 41mm in case width, a relatively slim 11.5mm in thickness, and a compact 47mm lug-to-lug distance. These measurements create a profile that is substantial enough to have presence but restrained enough to avoid being cumbersome during intricate work. A 20mm lug width ensures compatibility with a vast array of aftermarket straps.



One of the most significant and immediately noticeable alterations is the placement of the screw-down crown. It has been moved to the 9 o’clock position, a configuration known in watch circles as "destro" or left-handed. For a right-handed detailer like Kosilla, this change is profoundly practical. It prevents the crown from digging into the back of the wrist during flexion and, more critically, keeps it from accidentally brushing against a car's fender or glass while working in tight spaces. The crown is finished with a black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating, adding a touch of durable contrast, and features the Nodus logo.

The most innovative feature designed to mitigate damage risk is the bezel. Forsaking traditional steel or ceramic, the Sentinel employs a custom-molded bezel made entirely from TPU, a flexible and resilient thermoplastic. This material is soft to the touch and highly impact-resistant. Should the watch make contact with a painted surface, the TPU bezel is engineered to absorb the impact and prevent marring or scratching, a feature that will bring peace of mind to any detailer, mechanic, or craftsman.

Complementing the soft bezel is the choice of a domed acrylic crystal. While sapphire is often touted as the premium standard for its scratch resistance, it is also harder and more prone to shattering upon sharp impact. Acrylic, by contrast, is lightweight and highly shatter-resistant. Its most compelling property for this specific application, however, is its reparability. Just as Larry Kosilla can polish and restore the finish on a supercar, any scuffs or scratches accumulated on the acrylic crystal can be easily buffed out with a simple polishing compound, allowing the watch to be maintained in pristine condition despite rigorous use.

Visually, the watch presents a striking and cohesive aesthetic. The dial has a brushed anthracite finish, a dark metallic gray that evokes the texture of raw, unfinished metal. This industrial base is warmed by the inclusion of rose gold colored accents for the applied indices, the hands, and the prominent chapter ring that encircles the dial. The combination of the cool, vertically brushed gray and the warm, brushed rose gold creates a sophisticated yet utilitarian palette.



The hands and markers are meticulously finished with brushed top surfaces and polished chamfers, allowing them to catch the light from different angles and enhance legibility. For low-light visibility, Nodus has applied Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 Grade A. This high-grade luminous compound is known for its bright, initial glow and long-lasting phosphorescence, appearing white in daylight and emitting a strong blue-green light in the dark, ensuring the time is readable in any condition.

A key element of the dial's design is the AMMO NYC crest, positioned proudly just above the 6 o'clock marker. This emblem is more than just branding; it serves as a seal of approval, signifying that the watch was designed with a specific purpose and meets the exacting standards of the AMMO NYC founder. It anchors the collaboration's identity directly on the face of the watch.

Turning the watch over reveals a solid 316L stainless steel caseback. It is deeply engraved with the same AMMO crest found on the dial, a permanent tribute to the legacy and philosophy of Larry Kosilla's work. The solid caseback also contributes to the watch's overall robustness and its impressive water resistance rating.

The Sentinel is rated for 200 meters of water resistance, a specification that far exceeds the needs of automotive detailing and places it firmly in the category of a capable diver-style tool watch. This level of protection ensures that the watch can handle any environment, from a car wash bay to recreational swimming, without any concern for water ingress.

Powering the Sentinel is the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement. This premium Swiss-made caliber, produced in the horological heartland of La Chaux-de-Fonds, is a testament to the watch's quality internals. The G101 is recognized for its toughness, reliability, and excellent performance specifications, making it a fitting engine for a watch designed to withstand the rigors of daily, active wear.



The movement operates at a standard frequency and features 24 jewels to reduce friction on critical components, enhancing its longevity and accuracy. One of its most user-friendly features is an impressive 68-hour power reserve. This allows the owner to take the watch off on a Friday evening and put it back on Monday morning without needing to reset the time, a convenience that is highly appreciated in any modern automatic timepiece.

Further demonstrating their commitment to quality, Nodus regulates each G101 movement in-house to an accuracy of +/- 8 seconds per day. This level of adjustment is stricter than the base specifications for many movements and ensures that each Sentinel performs reliably and accurately straight out of the box.

The watch is secured to the wrist by a Black Hybrid TecTuff® strap. The choice of TecTuff, an advanced leather material known for its extreme abrasion resistance and durability, is perfectly aligned with the watch's purpose-driven design. It offers the comfortable feel of leather but with superior resistance to scuffs, water, and oil.

The strap's design includes subtle white contrast stitching, an aesthetic cue that subtly echoes the detailed stitching found in high-end automotive interiors. It is equipped with quick-release spring bars, allowing the owner to easily swap straps without tools, offering versatility. The strap is fastened with a simple and secure pin buckle, which maintains a low profile to further minimize the risk of it scratching a surface.

The Nodus brand itself is an integral part of this story. Based in Los Angeles, California, Nodus has built its reputation on designing and assembling watches in the United States. They focus on creating accessible, high-performance tool watches that blend vintage-inspired design cues with modern specifications and manufacturing techniques. Their philosophy of building durable, functional timepieces makes them the ideal partner to bring Larry Kosilla's vision to life.



As a final nod to its real-world credentials, the Sentinel is set to appear on the wrist of Larry Kosilla himself during his national television debut. The show, titled "Extreme Detailing," is scheduled to premiere on the Discovery channel, offering a wide audience a chance to see the watch in its intended environment, demonstrating its unique features in action.

The Nodus Sentinel for AMMO NYC is priced at $999.00 and its availability is highly exclusive, with production strictly limited to 100 pieces worldwide. This scarcity ensures that owners will possess a unique and highly specialized piece of equipment, a watch conceived from a genuine need and executed with a remarkable attention to detail that honors the very philosophy of the man who inspired it. It stands as a testament to thoughtful design, where every single component has been considered to solve a problem and serve a purpose.

Case: 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, 41mm width x 11.5mm thickness x 47mm lug-to-lug. Features a domed acrylic crystal, custom-molded impact-resistant TPU bezel, and a left-handed "destro" screw-down crown. Water resistance is 200 meters.

Movement: Swiss-made Manufacture La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement. Features 24 jewels, a 68-hour power reserve, and is regulated by Nodus to +/- 8 seconds per day.

Dial: Brushed anthracite finish with a rose gold color chapter ring. Hands and indices are also rose gold colored and filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 Grade A lume.

Strap: 20mm Black Hybrid TecTuff® strap with white contrast stitching and quick-release spring bars.

Price: $999.00

Notes: A limited edition of 100 pieces designed in collaboration with Larry Kosilla of AMMO NYC. The watch is purpose-built for automotive detailers, featuring a non-marring TPU bezel and a polishable acrylic crystal to mitigate damage risk. Designed and assembled in Los Angeles.