After producing limited edition semi-precious stone dial variants of the Sector II Sport previously for occasions like Hands On Horology, Nodus is introducing stone dials to the line-up permanently. There are two stone dials being introduced initially as core collection models, the Sector II Sport Tiger’s Eye and Onyx. At the same time, they’re also releasing a collaborative special edition with display case specialists Holme & Hadfield.
Nodus Sector II Sport Tiger’s Eye and Onyx
Given the popularity of Nodus’ stone dial limited editions, it’s not all that surprising to see them expand the range into a permanent collection. Jumping straight to the dials, the Tiger’s Eye edition features the mineral’s signature golden brown striations with no two dials being identical. It’s the type of dial you can stare at for hours and still discover new details and depth. Meanwhile the Onyx is an intense black void with a glassy, smooth finish.
Both versions feature applied hour markers with a 3/6/9 arrangement of Arabic numerals. It’s an intentionally simple display that places emphasis on clean legibility, inspired by the iconic exploration and sports watches of watchmaking history. The pencil hands and hour markers feature blue Super-LumiNova® BGW9 Grade A, ensuring the watch is as easy to read in the dark as the light.
The Sector II Sport is the perfect carriage for stone dials like this due to the understated design of the 38mm x 11.7mm case giving space for the more expressive natural stone. The Tiger’s Eye keeps things as restrained as possible with a monotone steel construction while the Onyx adds a black DLC crown and bezel, tying into the dark stone. Inside they both house the TMI NH38 automatic with 41-hour power reserve by Seiko.
For pricing, the Tiger’s Eye is $575 (approx. £420), and the Onyx is with its additional DLC coating is $600 (approx. £440). Crucially, neither is a limited edition meaning everyone who wants one can get one. They go on sale today (21st August) at 5pm BST / 9am PDT with shipping from 2nd September.
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Nodus Sector II Dive Holme & Hadfield Edition
Nodus has teamed up with Holme & Hadfield to produce a 75 piece limited edition version of the Sector II Dive. Holme & Hadfield is a display case brand that produces cases for all manner of collectibles and accessories – watches, coins, knives, cigars, sunglasses. Their connection to the watch industry via their stylish cases makes them a natural partner for a collaboration like this.
At first look, the dial of the watch is a classic dive watch design with a matte black face and applied hour markers with lume for low light readability. However, look closer and an important detail will reveal itself: the dial is actually made from sapphire. The transparent disk is placed over the black base and creates an intriguing verticality to the display because the hour markers appear to float inexplicably in space above the dial. The use of sapphire is inspired by Holme & Hadfield’s glass-top displays. Their logo is also present at 6 o’clock below the central handstack with its arrow hour hand, pencil minute hand and green lollipop seconds.
The Sector II Dive measures 38mm x 11.9mm with an overhanging bezel that extends out to 40mm – making it very easy to grip and rotate. The case body is made from steel while the bezel and crown are bronze. The 60-minute dive timer scale on the bezel is presented on a steel insert with black DLC coating. Inside is the same movement as used in the Sector II Sport above, the TMI NH38 with 41-hour power reserve by Seiko.
Early access to this collaboration opens on August 27th for those who sign up via the Nodus website with general sale beginning on August 28th. Notably, the first five orders will receive a Holme & Hadfield Watch Care Kit with purchase. It’s limited to 75 pieces at a price of $650 (approx. £475). If you’re interested in Nodus collaborations and stone dials… watch this space.
Price and Specs:
More details at Nodus.
Not sure I want a giant H on my dial. Looks like a logo for a hotel. Not in any way attractive so why put it on?
I wholeheartedly agree with Robin about the overly large H symbol, but I guess that the partnership has to be identified is some way, but a more subtle identifier would have been better. But, dive watches are hardly subtle as they tend to be big and bold for underwater visibility purposes. At least this Nodus / Holme & Hadfield Collab falls into the new Goldilocks zone by being 38mm. As may be guessed, I’m not a big fan of dive watches or any watch with a garish bezel.
I’m going to be a little controversial here and have the purists get hot under the collar. The Sector II Sport watches are (to me anyway), somewhat reminiscent of the Tudor Ranger, and the Tiger’s Eye version similar to the Tudor Heritage (alright it doesn’t have the California dial, but still, the dial colouring is similar but with the added allure of the tigers eye feature). I mention this not to overly compare the two manufacturers, nor to suggest that the Nodus is a definite attempt to copy Tudor, but for me, (being an admirer of those two Tudor watches), suggest that Nodus really do make a great case for winning the c
race, if only on price alone, it has to be said, that at the price listed, it is a drop in the ocean compared to the cost of the Tudor watches mentioned.
Let’s be honest, their is a lot of watch snobbery around, but history shows that brands that were once in the lower price sector have proven their true colours over time to now become well respected and into the more mainstream of players (Christopher Ward and Frederique Constant to name just two).
So for me, the Nodus is a definite winner, truly lovely looking watches. It’s the tigers eye version for me. – sorry Tudor, the two watches I mention are just as lovely, but each one with a list price of over £4k, the sums just don’t add up.
Amen! I own 2 Nodus watches at the moment and have transitioned my collection from more high priced traditional brands (Rolex, Cartier, Grand Seiko, etc.) into microbrands. The quality now is quite good for the established microbrands, Nodus, of course, being one of them and the pricing and access to the owners is excellent.
Just a small correction to my post.
I would love to blame predictive text for my error, but I hold my hands up.
I was of course referring to the Tudor Monarch rather than the heritage that I was comparing to the Nodus tigers eye. As said, a lovely watch but the Nodus wins on cost alone. So point made despite my school boy error.