Nodus x Raven TrailTrekker A.C.T.

A compelling new timepiece has emerged from the collaborative spirit shared between two respected names in the independent watch scene: Nodus Design Lab and Raven Watches. Dubbed the TrailTrekker A.C.T., this watch represents not just a merging of design philosophies but also a shared history of friendship and adventure between the Los Angeles-based Nodus and Kansas-based Raven. The result is a robust GMT tool watch built to withstand demanding environments, drawing specific inspiration from the challenging Arctic Circle Trail.

Raven Watches, helmed by founder Steve Laughlin in Overland Park, Kansas, has carved a niche for itself since 2008 by producing rugged, reliable timepieces geared towards adventure. Laughlin, holding a BFA in Visual Arts from Kansas State University, infuses his designs with inspirations drawn from travel, exploration, and photography. His personal journey with watches began early, evolving from a childhood Swatch to dive watches and chronographs, eventually culminating in the creation of Raven. The brand appeals to those who appreciate durable construction and practical design, attracting a diverse following from outdoor enthusiasts to professionals.



Nodus, on the other hand, was founded in 2017 by Wes and Cullen in Los Angeles. The name itself, Latin for 'node' or an 'intersection of pathways,' reflects their philosophy that life's experiences, passions, and ambitions define an individual. Driven by their own deep passion for horology, they established Nodus with a function-first design ethos. Their goal is to create utilitarian timepieces that can accompany wearers through life's milestones and adventures, built to last through changing trends and active use. They emphasize creating watches that provide gratification and ambition, assembled carefully in their LA facility.

The genesis of Project TrailTrekker lies in the established friendship and mutual respect between the teams at Nodus and Raven. Recognizing the synergy between Raven's focus on resilience and practicality and Nodus's advanced manufacturing capabilities, they embarked on this joint venture. This collaboration aimed to distill the essence of both brands into a single, highly capable timepiece designed for exploration and the "wild unknown," representing one of the notable brand-on-brand collaborations within the microbrand watch community.

While the initial TrailTrekker iteration (the "Clay" version) drew its narrative from the demanding overland journeys of early American explorers heading west, the TrailTrekker A.C.T. shifts its focus dramatically northward. Its inspiration is the formidable Arctic Circle Trail (A.C.T.) in Greenland, a trek through raw, untamed wilderness. This environment evokes themes of survival, extreme exploration, and the stark grandeur of the far north. The watch is conceived as a companion piece resilient enough to face the challenges implicit in such a journey. The original inspiration, however, is still subtly referenced by the engraved caravan motif found on the watch's caseback.

The TrailTrekker A.C.T. thoughtfully blends design cues from flagship models of both brands, creating something familiar yet distinct. Enthusiasts might recognize the lineage tracing back to the popular Raven Trekker and the Nodus Contrail. The overall silhouette adopts the profile associated with Nodus's travel watch expertise, while the dial prioritizes the clear, legible design language characteristic of Raven timepieces. This fusion creates a versatile tool watch identity, setting it apart not only within the broader market but also within the individual catalogues of Nodus and Raven.



Constructed from 316L surgical-grade stainless steel, the case of the TrailTrekker A.C.T. measures a balanced 39.5mm in diameter, 11.8mm in thickness, and 46.6mm lug-to-lug, with a standard 20mm lug width. This iteration moves away from a purely tactical aesthetic, featuring a combination of high-polished and finely brushed surfaces that lend it a more versatile look, suitable for various settings. The relatively slim profile for a GMT watch enhances wearability.

A key visual and functional element is the fixed 24-hour bezel. Finished with a high-polish black DLC (Diamond-Like Carbon) coating, it offers the glossy appearance often associated with ceramic bezels but provides superior resistance to chipping and shattering, a crucial consideration given the potential for impacts, especially in cold temperatures where materials can become brittle. The 24-hour scale is filled with Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9, ensuring excellent legibility for tracking a second time zone in low-light conditions, relevant whether experiencing the Arctic's perpetual daylight or enduring darkness.

Protecting the dial is a box sapphire crystal. This type of crystal adds a subtle vintage charm while offering modern scratch resistance. An anti-reflective coating applied to the underside of the crystal minimizes glare and maximizes clarity, ensuring the dial is easily readable from various angles and under different lighting conditions. The slight distortion at the edges, characteristic of box crystals, adds visual interest without hindering practicality.

The dial itself is presented in a crisp matte white, providing a high-contrast backdrop for the time-telling elements. Large, applied block indices mark the hours, featuring polished gunmetal surrounds that catch the light. These indices, along with the framed date window positioned at 6 o'clock, are design elements carried over from the Raven Trekker lineage, offering a point of familiarity for fans of the brand. The handset echoes the gunmetal finish of the indices, featuring faceted surfaces for enhanced legibility.



Minimal branding maintains the clean aesthetic, with the Nodus wordmark positioned below 12 o'clock and the Raven shield logo situated above 6 o'clock. A subtle yet practical addition is the "ghost" GMT hand, identifiable by its blunt tip, which indicates the second time zone against the fixed 24-hour bezel. Further enhancing legibility is a bi-color chapter ring indicating day and night hours for the GMT function, designed to be noticeable when needed but otherwise unobtrusive.

Luminescence is a significant feature, utilizing Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 Grade A. This high-grade luminous compound is applied generously to the hands, indices, and the markings on the 24-hour bezel. A standout feature, new for Nodus, is the fully luminous date wheel. This ensures that not only the time but also the date remains visible in complete darkness, a practical touch for a watch inspired by environments with extreme variations in daylight.

Powering the TrailTrekker A.C.T. is the Miyota 9075 automatic GMT movement. This Japanese caliber has gained popularity for bringing true "flyer" GMT functionality – where the main local hour hand can be independently adjusted in one-hour increments forwards or backwards – to a more accessible price point. This feature is particularly useful for frequent travelers who need to adjust their watch quickly when changing time zones, without disturbing the minutes, seconds, or the 24-hour GMT hand.

The Miyota 9075 operates automatically, contains 24 jewels, and provides a power reserve of approximately 42 hours when fully wound. Nodus takes the additional step of regulating each movement in-house at their Los Angeles facility. This process aims to achieve an accuracy specification of +/- 8 seconds per day, potentially offering better timekeeping performance than the movement's standard factory tolerance.



Water resistance is rated at a robust 200 meters, making the TrailTrekker A.C.T. suitable for swimming, snorkeling, and various water-based activities. This capability is supported by the screw-down crown, which helps ensure the integrity of the case against water ingress. Both Nodus and Raven emphasize that their watches undergo rigorous testing, often exceeding their stated depth ratings, reflecting a commitment to building durable and reliable timepieces.

The watch comes fitted on a solid 316L stainless steel bracelet that tapers from 20mm at the lugs down to 16mm at the clasp. This taper significantly enhances wearing comfort by reducing bulk and allowing the bracelet to conform better to the wrist. The inclusion of quick-release springbars allows for easy removal and swapping of the bracelet for other straps without the need for tools, adding to the watch's versatility.

A highlight of the bracelet system is the proprietary NodeX™ clasp. Milled from surgical-grade stainless steel, this clasp incorporates an intuitive on-the-fly micro-adjustment system. Wearers can easily fine-tune the bracelet fit by depressing a button on the clasp, which allows extension or retraction across five locking positions, providing a total adjustment range of 10mm. This feature is invaluable for accommodating slight changes in wrist size due to temperature or activity, ensuring optimal comfort throughout the day.

Despite its robust build and capabilities, the TrailTrekker A.C.T. maintains reasonable dimensions and a manageable weight, with the watch head weighing 68 grams. The combination of the 39.5mm diameter, relatively slim 11.8mm thickness, and the tapering bracelet contributes to a comfortable wearing experience on a variety of wrist sizes, balancing presence with practicality.



The TrailTrekker A.C.T. successfully embodies the spirit of collaboration between Nodus and Raven. It merges Raven's rugged aesthetic and dial clarity with Nodus's case design refinement and manufacturing expertise. The choice of the Miyota 9075 provides desirable GMT functionality, while features like the DLC bezel, extensive lume application (including the date wheel), and the NodeX™ clasp add significant value and practicality.

As a final assurance of quality control and brand identity, each Nodus x Raven TrailTrekker A.C.T. is designed and assembled in Los Angeles, California, reflecting Nodus's commitment to hands-on production and quality assurance within the United States. The Nodus x Raven TrailTrekker A.C.T. is priced at $875.00 USD. This collaboration offers a compelling package for those seeking a durable, well-featured GMT watch with a unique design pedigree born from the shared vision of two passionate independent brands.

Case: 316L surgical-grade stainless steel; 39.5mm width x 11.8mm thickness x 46.6mm lug-to-lug x 20mm lug width; Screw-down crown; Box sapphire crystal with blue anti-reflective coating underside; Fixed 24-hour bezel with high-polish black DLC coating and BGW9 lume; 200 meters water resistance.

Movement: Miyota 9075 GMT automatic; Origin Japan; 24 jewels; 42 hours power reserve; Regulated by Nodus to +/- 8 seconds per day; Features independently adjustable local hour hand.

Dial: Matte white; Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 Grade A lume on hands, indices, bezel, and date wheel; Applied block indices with polished gunmetal surrounds; Gunmetal faceted handset; Blunt tip ghost GMT hand; Framed date window at 6 o'clock; Bi-color day/night chapter ring.

Strap: 316L stainless steel bracelet; Tapers from 20mm to 16mm; Proprietary NodeX™ Clasp with on-the-fly adjustment (10mm range); Quick-release springbars.

Price: $875.00

Notes: A collaboration between Nodus Design Lab and Raven Watches, inspired by Greenland's Arctic Circle Trail. Features a new fully luminous date wheel and combines design elements from the Raven Trekker and Nodus Contrail. Designed and assembled in Los Angeles.