This Affordable Automatic Driving Watch Has One of My Favorite Quirky Features

From archeology to analog photography, Nodus has designed watches for some uncommon activities, but they are all still suitable for daily wear.

The Sentinel might have the most obscure purpose for which I’ve ever seen a watch purpose-built, but it is also one of the Los Angeles-based watchmaker’s best-looking designs.

Nodus

Nodus teamed up with New York City automotive restoration and detailing specialist Larry Kosilla, founder of Ammo NYC, to design the Sentinel. It is ostensibly optimized for cleaning and restoring cars, but it is really more of a driving watch.

It has a 41mm steel case, a large, three-hand dial and a high-contrast finish for strong legibility. The hands, applied hour markers and chapter ring are plated in rose gold, which pairs exquisitely with the vertically brushed black dial.

Nodus

Even though the dial is double-signed with the Nodus logo and Ammo NYC crest, an uncommon occurrence, the most distinguishing feature is the crown placed at nine o’clock.

Left is right

In watch jargon, a watch with a crown flipped to the opposite side of the case is known as a “destro.” This repositioning moves the protrusion out of the way so that it doesn’t dig into the back of your hand when your wrist is bent.

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The name means “right” in Italian, referring to the wrist where lefties wear watches. Along with accommodating the left-handed, it is a helpful feature on dive watches with large cases and crown guards.

Another handy use for “destro” watches is driving, when the wrist is often bent while holding the steering wheel. This is the rationale for the crown placement on the Sentinel.

Nodus

If we’re being honest, the true appeal of a “destro” crown is the novelty. Like a 300m water resistance or split-second chronograph, the enjoyment of knowing it’s there and boasting about it outweighs the practical use.

It’s in the details

You don’t have to be fascinated by a quirky crown placement like me to enjoy the Sentinel. The simple form and complementary arrangement of colors and textures have a much broader appeal.

Nodus

Polished stainless steel, matte black and rose gold, a combination native to dress watches, elevate this purpose-built tool watch like a perfectly restored and detailed 1980s Land Rover Defender.

The case’s elliptical outside curves are pure vintage Seiko, and the combination of baton and pointed indices is a classical touch. However, the hands and hour markers are inset with large swaths of Super-LumiNova.

Nodus

The Sentinel’s practicality is demonstrated by its 200m water resistance, layered synthetic fabric and rubber strap, and La Joux-Perret caliber G101 automatic movement with a 68-hour power reserve.

Nodus specializes in tool watches, but the Sentinel displays a level of refinement I haven’t seen from the brand. It wouldn’t be a Nodus if you couldn’t dive in it, and it is optimized for driving. But throw a black crocodile leather strap on it, and it could pass for a dress watch.

Availability and pricing

The Nodus for Ammo NYC is available now for pre-order from Nodus for $999. Orders will begin shipping out on August 8.

According to Nodus, Larry Kosilla will wear the Sentinel on his new reality television show, Extreme Detailing, which debuts on Discovery on August 5.

Nodus

Nodus Sentinel for Ammo NYC

Specs

Case Size	41mm
Movement	La Joux-Perret caliber G101 automatic
Water Resistance	200m

• $999 at Nodus

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