Nodus and Raven Watches share a lot of the same values when it comes to watch design: producing practical tool watches designed for regular use rather than being destined for a display case. For example, they have both produced 500m water resistant divers in the form of the Raven Endeavour II (currently out of production) and Nodus Sector Deep. As such, it’s little surprise that they have collaborated with each other multiple times over the years, effectively creating an entire series of watches together called Project TrailTrekker. For 2026 a fourth reference joins the series, the Nodus x Raven TrailTrekker Carbon.
The case is based on the design of the Nodus Contrail GMT, which is where the Trail part of the watch’s name comes from. It measures 39.5mm in diameter and 11.8mm in thickness, produced in steel with a dark grey DLC (diamond-like carbon) coating that boosts its scratch resistance while also giving it a stealth aesthetic. For the new edition, the 24-hour bezel that serves as the watch’s second time zone indicator is fitted with a forged carbon insert.
Forged carbon is what’s known as a carbon composite material where carbon fibres are chopped up and then re-forged together with resin under immense heat and pressure. It’s used across both the TrailTrekker Carbon’s bezel and dial where its randomly formed striations and markings means that no two watches will be identical. On top of that, the resin used in this forged carbon is infused with Super-LumiNova, meaning that in low light conditions the watch comes alive with swirls of luminescence woven throughout the dial and bezel.
Rounding out the display are the square, triangle and tag-shaped hour markers based on the Raven Trekker, completing the TrailTrekker naming fusion. There’s also a date window at 6 o’clock for added utility. In the centre of the display are the hour, minute, seconds and 24-hour GMT hands. The latter in red being the primary pop of colour featured across the entire watch.
Inside the watch, protected by its 200m water resistance rating, is the Miyota 9075 GMT. An automatic GMT movement with a 42-hour power reserve. It’s widely celebrated for being one of the most affordable ‘True’ GMT movements on the market, which means the hour hand can be jumped in intervals of one hour without altering the rest of the display to make changing local time zones easy and convenient. The movement is hidden by a solid caseback with the TrailTrekker’s signature picture of a caravan.
For pricing and availability, the Nodus x Raven TrailTrekker Carbon is $1,075 (approx. £800) and will be available to purchase first at Intersect Los Angeles on July 17th and 18th ahead of general sale beginning on July 22nd. While it’s not a full carbon case, that price is still very good considering the amount of the high tech material on display. It would make for a very good GADA watch.
Price and Specs:
More details at Nodus.
