This Brand Is Field Testing Its Next Watch in the Coolest Way Possible

Watch research and development is often done in laboratories as sterile as an OR. When field testing is done, it is typically in the hands of trained horological professionals.

So when Nodus announced that it was sending a prototype of its next field watch on a two-week scientific research expedition across the Gobi Desert, I was both surprised and intrigued.

Nodus

Nodus boldly proclaimed that it is building the ultimate explorer’s watch, so it makes perfect sense to put prototypes in the hands of, or rather, on the wrists of, genuine explorers.

The watch part of the kit for the Roy Chapman Andrews Legacy Expedition, which consists of 30 archaeologists, anthropologists, biologists and botanists following the path of the eponymous legendary explorer’s final trek a century ago.

Various scientific surveys will be taking place to monitor the effects of climate change and search for dinosaur bones and archaeological evidence.

Nodus

The Roy Chapman Andrews Legacy Expedition is a group effort between the Explorers Club, Nomadify Expeditions and the Scientific Exploration Society. Nodus is along for the ride to gather feedback from the experts in their respective fields about the watch’s performance.

Expanding the Sector collection

Dubbed the Sector Nomad, Nodus’s rugged new adventure watch is built upon and closely resembles the Sector II Dive GMT. At least, the prototype sent on the expedition and pictured here looks that way.

Nodus

Technical specifications have not yet been disclosed, as the Sector Nomad is still a work in progress. However, we can take some educated guesses based on previous Sector designs.

The case looks to be the same 40mm steel design used in various sector references. Promotional images show the same three-link steel bracelet found throughout the Nodus catalog.

However, images from the expedition show what looks like a black rubber pass-through strap, which is better suited for a desert environment with temperature extremes in both directions.

Nodus

The only significant update announced by Nodus, which is apparent in the photos, is the addition of a compass bezel. This replaces the dive bezel on the Sector II Dive GMT.

Field notes

Nodus distributed 15 copies of a prototype Sector Nomad to the 30-member expedition team. According to a press release, the watch and team, “will pass through fossil-rich territory and conduct follow-up studies with modern equipment to study the effects of climate change in the 100 years since Andrews’ exploration.”

The expedition’s progress is being documented for the public on a dedicated Instagram account. Below, you can spot the Nodus watch on the Biology Team Leader, Dr. Anika Salim.

Since much of the Gobi Desert is inaccessible to motorized vehicles, the team will travel on 38 camels for five to six hours daily.

Five days are dedicated to exploring designated historical sites, along with monitoring animal migrations, consulting indigenous peoples, and searching for dinosaur fossils.

Availability and pricing

Nodus hopes to receive helpful feedback from the Roy Chapman Andrews Legacy Expedition team after the expedition concludes on June 30. There is no word yet on when the Sector Nomad will be released to the public.

Nodus

As a GMT watch, it will likely run on a Seiko-made NH35 automatic movement, which Nodus has used before. Anything else at this point would be pure speculation.

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