by Tyler Frederick
Have Watch, Will Travel
If I’m being honest, there’s no better feeling than seeing the UPS truck on a sunny afternoon, knowing something special is about to be carried off by the man in the matching brown shirt and pants. The feeling of a new watch or the opportunity to check out a watch from a brand I love will never disappear, and the watch on my desk is no exception. The watch I’ve had the pleasure of getting up close and personal with recently is the Nodus Contrail GMT (Terra), the newest release and the third generation of the Contrail travel watch.
Key Features of the Nodus Contrail GMT
The original Contrail was released in 2018, and after some incremental updates, the Contrail II was released in 2020. The Contrail line is designed as the ultimate travel and tool watch and has carried the torch as one of Nodus’ most popular releases. Turning our focus to the Nodus Contrail GMT or the Contrail III, you’ll notice some similarities from the previous generations, some quite apparent changes in aesthetics, and the implementation of a new movement and complication.
Nodus is a brand that consistently delivers beautifully designed watches, and the Contrail GMT is no exception; from the case and bracelet design to the dial, the Contrail GMT is gorgeous. The case measures 39.5mm in diameter with a 46.6mm lug-to-lug and a thickness of 11.8mm. On paper, that implies a watch sized for any wrist. After wearing it, I can confirm it feels fantastic, especially when paired with the 20mm flat-link bracelet featuring Nodus’ NodeX adjustable clasp.
For those unaware, the NodeX clasp allows for on-the-fly bracelet adjustments to accommodate any wrist swelling or shrinking due to varying changes in altitude or transitioning from hot to cold temperatures. With the inconsistent weather we’ve been having in Ontario, I can assure you the NodeX comes in handy. The watch forms t my wrist perfectly, giving me a seamless and comfortable wearing experience.
The Contrail GMT has much to unpack, the first being the updated bezel insert. Surrounding the AR-coated boxed sapphire crystal is a beautiful two-tone (Black/White) luminous sapphire bezel insert. The insert on the Contrail GMT is the most luminous Nodus has ever implemented, the sapphire being the best choice to prevent scratches or damage. Using BGW9 Superluminova allows for a consistent brightness that will last all night.
The star of the show, for me anyway, is the dial. Nodus has decided on three dial variations for the Contrail GMT, representing our great lands and skies. The variation I’ve had the privilege to check out, the Terra, is a returning fan favourite, and I can see why. The black sand-grain texture is stunning and well-executed, and when paired with the polished applied indices and hands, the dial is a work of art. I often stared at it and lost myself in the textured details.
Powering the Contrail GMT is a relatively new movement from Miyota, the 9075–a flyer-style GMT movement that I’ve loved since its release. Miyota is known for being a reliable option across all its movement lines. It allows brands like Nodus to regulate their movements in-house for even greater movement accuracy. With the functionality of a local jumping hour and an additional timezone hand, the Contrail GMT can easily track three time zones, making it an ideal travel companion. Due to its more compact form factor of 11.5mm, Nodus could create a case as thin as possible (11.8mm) without compromising the water resistance, which is 20ATM or
200M.
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SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 39.5mm Diameter 46.6mm Lug to Lug 11.8mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Crown & Case Back Sapphire Bezel Insert 200m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Textured Dial Applied Markers Dauphine Handset BGW9 Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Miyota 9075 GMT 24 Jewels 28 800bph 42-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Stainless Steel Bracelet /w NodeX Comfort Adjust |
Nodus Contrail GMT
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Quibbles
I’m a big fan of the Contrail GMT. Its design, functionality, and wearability tick all the boxes I look for in a watch, so my quibble is minor and probably won’t affect many others. During my time with the watch, I did notice it was hard to get a good grip on the bezel, and in some instances, turning it was a slight challenge. The bezel is on the thinner side, which could be why, but as previously stated, I don’t think this would affect many others.
Final Thoughts
What else is there to say? Nodus is known for creating fantastic tool watches for every adventure or scenario, and the Contrail GMT proved yet again that Nodus is excellent at what it does. For those looking for a new travel companion or a fantastic watch to wear daily, I strongly recommend the Contrail GMT: comfortable, beautiful design, excellent water resistance, reliable movement—this list could go on. For more information or to check out the other colour variations available for the Contrail GMT, be sure to check out the Nodus website.
Pricing & Availability
The Nodus Contrail GMT retails for $1144CAD/$825USD and is available for order on the brand website as of Friday, April 26th.
About the author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
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