Nodus · Contrail
Contrail GMT
The Nodus Contrail GMT is a Los Angeles-assembled flyer-style travel watch built around the Miyota 9075 GMT movement in a notably slim 40.5×11.8mm 316L steel case with a luminous sapphire bezel insert and 200m water resistance. It is the third generation of Nodus's Contrail line and the brand's first GMT model, currently offered across five dial colorways at $900.
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Water res.
Thick
Lug-to-lug
Overview
| Brand | Nodus |
| Collection | Contrail |
| Category | GMT |
| Released | 2024 |
| Price guide | Upper · $900–1,300 |
Full specification
Specs
Case & dial
| Diameter | 40.5 mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 46.6 mm |
| Thickness | 11.8 mm |
| Lug width | 20 mm |
| Water resistance | 200 m |
| Crystal | box sapphire with blue anti-reflective coating |
| Case material | 316L stainless steel |
| Bezel | bi-directional rotating 24h, 48-click, luminous sapphire insert |
| Case back | exhibition |
Movement & furniture
| Type | Automatic |
| Caliber | Miyota 9075 → |
| Functions | Date, GMT (24h hand) |
| Power reserve | 42 h |
| Jewels | 24 |
| Lume | Super-LumiNova BGW9 Grade A |
| Strap / bracelet | stainless steel flatlink bracelet |
Bottom line
An exceptional value for a true flyer GMT: slim, well-finished, and legitimately functional at a price where most rivals offer far less — the nearest comparable spec level costs three to four times as much.
Highlights
- Flyer GMT — independent jumping 12h hand
- 40.5mm × 11.8mm — among the slimmest Miyota 9075 GMTs
- 200m WR + screw-down crown
- Luminous sapphire bezel insert, 48-click bi-directional
- Exhibition caseback + quick-release strap system
Who it's for
Travellers and watch enthusiasts seeking a full-featured flyer GMT under $1,000, with wrists roughly 16–18cm suited to the 46.6mm lug-to-lug. Works equally well as a daily wearer, desk-diver, or travel companion thanks to 200m water resistance and easy strap swaps via drilled lugs and quick-release spring bars.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you require COSC or METAS certification, want a movement with more than 42 hours of power reserve, or strongly prefer a simple flat crystal over a domed box sapphire.
Before you buy
- Verify colorway stock — Evergreen sold out; availability varies by variant
- Price has risen from the $825 launch price to the current $900
- Case diameter listed as 39.5mm by some reviewers; official Nodus spec is 40.5mm — confirm before purchase
- No COSC/METAS certification; movement regulated in-house to ±8s/day
FAQ
Is the Contrail GMT automatic or quartz?
The Contrail GMT is automatic. The Miyota 9075 winds itself from the motion of your wrist, so it needs no battery. A full wind holds roughly 42 hours, so it keeps running overnight off the wrist; left longer it stops and restarts once you wear or hand-wind it.
What movement does the Contrail GMT use?
The Contrail GMT is powered by the Miyota 9075 from Miyota, an automatic caliber with 24 jewels, a 42-hour power reserve, and a 28,800 bph beat rate. Being automatic, it winds from the motion of your wrist and needs no battery.
Does the Contrail GMT have a date?
Yes — the Contrail GMT has a date display on the dial. The date advances automatically as the movement runs, so the current day of the month is always visible at a glance, and you can set it from the crown after the watch has been left to stop.
How water resistant is the Contrail GMT?
The Contrail GMT is rated to 200 m. That is true dive territory: fine for swimming, snorkelling and recreational scuba diving, as well as all daily wear. Whatever the rating, avoid operating the crown or pushers underwater, and have the gaskets checked periodically to keep it reliable.
How big does the Contrail GMT wear?
At 40.5 mm across with a 46.6 mm lug-to-lug and 11.8 mm thick, the Contrail GMT wears as a modern medium-to-large watch. Lug-to-lug is the measurement that really decides fit, since it sets how far the case spans the wrist — 46.6 mm suits most wrists, and smaller wrists especially should check that figure.
Is this a true 'flyer' GMT or a 'caller' GMT?
True flyer GMT: the Miyota 9075 allows the local 12-hour hand to jump independently in one-hour increments without stopping the seconds, so timezone changes happen instantly without hacking — the same broad traveler-GMT concept as Rolex's 3285, unlike the ETA 2893-2, which is a caller/office GMT with an independently set 24-hour GMT hand.
Can it simultaneously show three timezones?
Yes. The bi-directional 24h rotating bezel marks a third reference city, while the fixed GMT hand on the dial tracks a second timezone, and the independently jumped 12h hand shows current local time.
How does it compare to the Tudor Black Bay GMT at this price?
At ~$900 vs about $4,900 for the Tudor, the Contrail GMT offers comparable flyer-GMT mechanics and a sapphire bezel insert; it lacks COSC certification, in-house movement credibility, and the Tudor brand heritage, but saves about $4,000 in the process.
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