The Nodus x Beers And Cameras Obscura is a collaborative timepiece that merges the precise worlds of horology and photography. Born from a partnership between the Los Angeles-based watch microbrand Nodus and the photography community Beers And Cameras, this watch represents a unique blend of functional design and shared passion. It's a tool built not just for telling time, but for aiding in the creative process of capturing light.
Nodus, founded by Wes and Cullen, two friends with a shared love for watches, has always been about creating timepieces that are both robust and thoughtfully designed. Their "function-first" approach means that every element of a Nodus watch serves a purpose, built to withstand the rigors of daily life while maintaining a clean aesthetic. Nodus watches are assembled in Los Angeles. Beers And Cameras, on the other hand, started as casual meetups between photography enthusiasts and has grown into a nationwide community. Founder Juan Martinez's personal love for both watches and photography made this collaboration a natural fit, bringing his patented innovation to the wrist.
Courtesy of Nodus
The Obscura's standout feature is its integrated exposure-calculating complication, a first in the watch world. This complication is based on the well-known Sunny 16 Rule, a method photographers use to determine the correct exposure without a light meter. Essentially, the rule states that on a bright, sunny day, with an aperture of f/16, your shutter speed should be the reciprocal of your ISO. So, at ISO 100, you'd use a shutter speed of 1/125th of a second. The Obscura's bezel expands on this, allowing for quick calculations across different apertures and ISO settings, providing a handy reference for film photographers.
The way the exposure gauge works is clever in its simplicity. By turning the bezel indicator to align your lens's aperture with the corresponding value on the chapter ring, and then finding your film's ISO marker on the dial ring (with "+1" stop markers for ISO 200 and 800), the bezel indicates the appropriate shutter speed. It's a system designed for quick, on-the-fly adjustments, perfect for photographers who prefer the hands-on, analog experience of film photography. The watch takes into consideration Sunny settings and also Overcast/Cloudy Settings.
The design of the Obscura cleverly incorporates elements that resonate with photographers. The case is a new, compact Sector II design made from 316L stainless steel, measuring 38mm in width and a mere 11.7mm in thickness. The subtle details further reveal the watch's connection. A light blue and white seconds hand is a nod to the technique of exposing slide film sprocket holes, while the specific shade of blue is taken from vintage depth-of-field markings on 1980s zoom lenses. The orange-hued "+1" stop markers for ISO 200 and 800 add a splash of color. The aperture indicator and ISO 100 marker at 12 o'clock form an hourglass-like alignment, subtly referencing the passage of time.
Courtesy of Nodus
The Obscura doesn’t stop at visual cues; it's built for durability. With a 100-meter water resistance, it can handle the elements, and the sapphire crystal protects the dial. The bezel and crown are made of bronze with a black PVD coating. This coating is designed to wear down over time, revealing the bronze underneath, just like how vintage black-paint cameras would show their brass bodies with years of use. This gives the watch a "worn-in" characteristic that many enthusiasts love, a feature that ensures each Obscura will develop its own unique look.
Inside, the Obscura is powered by the TMI NH38 automatic movement, a workhorse known for its reliability and accuracy. Nodus goes a step further by regulating each movement in-house to +/- 10 seconds per day, ensuring that the watch keeps time as precisely as it helps calculate exposure. The new case has been tested and regulated to its limits.
The watch comes on a 20-16mm tapering three-link stainless steel bracelet, equipped with Nodus's proprietary NodeX clasp. This clasp allows for on-the-fly micro-adjustments, adding a practical touch for comfortable wear throughout the day. As a bonus, an additional black Hybrid Tectuff rubber strap is included, offering versatility for different looks and situations. The NodeX clasp also has five locking positions that allow 10mm of micro adjusting.
Courtesy of Nodus
The Obscura's connection to photography goes beyond just the functional bezel. The very nature of mechanical watches and film cameras share similarities. Both rely on precise engineering and craftsmanship. Watches continuously measure time, while cameras capture a specific moment. The Obscura bridges this gap, offering photographers a tool that helps control both light and time. Moreover, the tactile experience of winding a watch or adjusting a lens aperture resonates with those who appreciate analog processes. Both watches and many cameras are also built to last, with quality pieces becoming heirlooms passed down through generations.
The dial is deep black, providing a stark contrast for the white and light blue markings, ensuring excellent legibility. The hour markers are applied and generously filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9, emitting a strong blue glow in low-light conditions. This is not only practical but also visually appealing, adding a subtle pop of color to the otherwise monochromatic dial.
The hands themselves are thoughtfully designed, with the hour and minute hands featuring a partially skeletonized design. This not only reduces their visual weight but also ensures that they don't obscure the underlying dial markings when they align. The seconds hand, as mentioned earlier, is a standout element with its light blue and white finish.
The overall aesthetic of the Obscura is clean and purposeful. It avoids unnecessary embellishments, focusing instead on functionality and legibility. This design philosophy aligns perfectly with the ethos of both Nodus and Beers And Cameras, creating a watch that feels at home both on the wrist and in a photographer's kit bag.
Courtesy of Nodus
The technical aspects of the Obscura are all a testament to Nodus's commitment to quality. The 316L stainless steel used for the 39.5 mm case is known for its corrosion resistance, making it ideal for a watch designed to be used in various environments. The grey DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) matte finish adds another layer of protection while also contributing to the watch's understated look.
The box sapphire crystal is another highlight. Its shape adds a vintage touch, reminiscent of the acrylic crystals found on older watches, but with the superior scratch resistance of sapphire. The blue anti-reflective coating on the underside helps to minimize glare, further enhancing legibility.
The use of a TMI NH38 automatic movement is a smart choice. It's a reliable and readily serviceable movement, ensuring that the Obscura will remain a dependable companion for years to come. The 41-hour power reserve is ample for daily wear, and the antimagnetic resistance of 4800 A/m provides added protection against the magnetic fields encountered in everyday life.
The bronze bezel and crown, with their black PVD coating, are perhaps the most unique physical feature of the Obscura. The gradual wearing of the coating will reveal the warm tones of the bronze beneath, creating a patina that tells the story of the watch's use. This aging process is a deliberate design choice, reflecting the appreciation for well-used tools that is common among both watch enthusiasts and photographers.
The concept of the Obscura, initially conceived over five years ago and officially patented in June 2024 (Patent No. 12,007,722), is a unique selling point. Nodus being the first brand to bring this exposure-calculating complication to market.
Courtesy of Nodus
The quick-release spring bars on both the bracelet and the rubber strap are a small but welcome detail. They make changing straps quick and easy, allowing users to adapt the watch to different situations without the need for tools. This is a feature that aligns with the practical, user-focused design philosophy of the Obscura.
The Obscura is priced at $650. It represents a blend of functionality, thoughtful design, and robust construction. It's a timepiece that speaks to a specific audience – those who appreciate the intersection of horology and photography – but its appeal extends beyond that niche. It's a well-made, thoughtfully designed tool watch that offers something unique. Pre-orders are slated to open on Monday, February 24th, at 9 AM PST, with deliveries expected to commence in June 2025.
Case: 316L surgical-grade stainless steel. 39.5mm case width x 11.8mm thickness x 46.6mm lug-to-lug x 20mm lug width. Grey DLC matte finish. Black DLC screw-down crown. Box sapphire crystal with blue anti-reflective coating on the underside. Fixed 24-hour bezel with Cerakote® ceramic coating. 200 Meters Water Resistance.
Movement: TMI NH38 Automatic. 41 Hours of Power Reserve. Antimagnetic Resistance of 4800 A / m. Regulated to+/- 10 seconds per day in-house.
Dial: Black dial. Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 Grade A (blue glow). "+1" stop markers representing ISO 200 and ISO 800 in orange hue. Light blue and white seconds hand. Aperture indicator and ISO 100 Marker at 12 O'Clock.
Strap: Flat-Link 20mm-16mm taper bracelet. Proprietary NodeX™ Clasp with five locking positions allowing for 10mm of on-the-fly adjustment. Quick-release springbars. Additional black Hybrid Tectuff rubber strap.
Price: $650 USD
Notes: First timepiece to integrate an exposure-calculating complication based on the Sunny 16 Rule. Bronze bezel and crown with a black PVD coating designed to wear down and show patina. Patented in June 2024 (Patent No. 12,007,722).