By Wesley Wright
A stealth tool watch that surprised me
I have a small confession to make. When I was asked if I wanted this watch in person to review, I was a little scared it would be too big, with all the photos online making this thing look huge. Upon receipt all those worries went away, and I can happily say that this watch is a delight on wrist. Since the introduction of the Sector Deep models, the line has been a mainstay in Nodus’ catalogue, and they have continued to innovate. The model sent to me is the Sector Deep Pioneer NVG which is their black DLC GMT model with a compass bezel, built as a stealthy tool watch heavily inspired by the colour schemes of night-vision.
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Key Features of the Nodus Sector DEEP Pioneer NVG
Night-vision aesthetics on full display
The dial of this model is a base matte black with Nodus’ logo and model names in very tasteful places and sizing, with the Pioneer moniker being in a matching gold text to the GMT hand. There is a very nice 3D texture to this dial with the chapter ring having reliefs in it for the applied hour markers, which play with light. I feel like I could stare at this dial for hours and still find new ways to see it. Instead of applying the 24-hour indications to the bezel, Nodus have added an inner dial track, which I think flows seamlessly with the design. I really enjoy how this looks, as they have kept the text small enough for it to almost disappear if you don’t need it but legible enough if you do. The date also almost disappears on this dial, being located at the 6 o’clock position and recessed like the hour markers; I like how stealthy it is.
In contrast to the rest of the dial, the handset is big and blocky which makes it very easy to read. The hour and minute hands are done in the same stark white in which the hour markers are rendered, and the seconds hand is done in this gorgeous deep green that matches the inner ring of the bezel. The GMT hand is done slightly differently with a skeletonized treatment and khaki colour, adding a punch of brightness to the dial. Finally, the lume application on this model is just, *muah* chef’s kiss. The lume is applied to all hour markers, hands, GMT numerals, and bezel (both on the compass and 60-minute timer) which make this thing bright in low light scenarios.
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Compact case, oversized capabilities
The case and bezel of this watch are very interesting. When reading the spec sheet while it was in transit, I had to do a double take because the case itself is 38mm and the bezel is 42mm. I was scratching my head at how this was going to be in person but after getting it in hand I completely understand it now. The bezel having overhang on the case allows for easy manipulation when using the timer/compass function. Since the case is 38mm and 47mm lug to lug, it fits very comfortably on my 6.5 inch (on a good day) wrist. It also doesn’t look ginormous either. The dial really gets to take centre stage here and provides a very interesting experience with compact size and great legibility. Speaking of the dial, it is housed under a flat sapphire crystal with a blue anti-reflective coating on the underside, which gives lots of cool visuals.
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The black DLC (Diamond-Like-Carbon) treatment really lends to the stealthy nature of this watch and gives it a feeling of robustness. I love a blacked out watch and this does it in a very good way, with some added splashes of green, which is my favourite colour. The splashes of green are parts of the compass bezel–one of this watch’s standout feature. Before handling this watch, I was a bit skeptical on compass bezels as I did not quite understand their use case. I then took this watch out into its intended environment in the beautiful BC parks and oriented myself with it. I must say after using it, I can understand its usefulness and quite enjoyed my attempts at navigation myself throughout the day.
A strap monster wtih a fantastic bracelet
The bracelet provided for the Sector DEEP is fashioned in the same black DLC treatment the case received and has a taper from 20mm at the lug to 16mm at the clasp with a few half links, offering the ability to really customize. Adjustment of this bracelet was nice and easy, with the utilization of screwed lugs making it light work. The clasp also features a proprietary NEM (Nodus Extension Module) quick adjustment system, which I found very easy to use and gave me the ability to really dial in the bracelet. One of the things I enjoyed most about this bracelet was the implementation of a quick release spring bar, with two release points making it very easy to take off. Dare I say it, I liked the weight it held on this MN style strap I threw on it almost as much as the bracelet; key word, almost.
Calibre
The Nodus relies on the tried-and-true TMI NH34 GMT movement, which promises a solid 41 hours power reserve, and a familiar experience for setting the time and date for those who have other watches with this calibre. It is also regulated by Nodus themselves to be more accurate than the stock movement, providing an accuracy of +/- 10 seconds per day. The nice thing about having this movement in this model is that it will have parts available for a very long time, making services inexpensive and less of a headache.
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Specs
| Case | DLC-coated 316L Surgical-grade Stainless Steel 38mm Diameter 47mm Lug-to-lug 42mm Bezel 13.6mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw-down Crown 500M Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Matte Black Dial Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 Grade A Sapphire Crystal (Underside Blue AR Coating) White Hour and Minute Hands Green Second Hand Yellow GMT Hand |
| Movement | TMI NH34 +/- 10 Secs/day (Regulated by Nodus) 24 Jewels 21, 600bph 41-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | DLC Coated 316L Steel 20mm at Lugs, tapered down to 16mm Quick Release Spring Bars Proprietary NEM Clasp |
Nodus Sector DEEP Pioneer NVG
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Final thoughts
The Sector Deep Pioneer NVG is a great example of Nodus’ continued mission to build action ready tool watches. This model was their response to the challenge of building an overbuilt, over-designed piece, and stealthing it out. The colour schemes work very well together, and as a fan of EDC / stealthy tools, this really hits the mark for me. The NVG designation really did strike that night-vision aesthetic for me and made me think of my favourite video game line of all time “Bravo six going dark.” I was very pleasantly surprised with this watch, and am finding myself reaching for it often since receiving it. Its wearability and stealthy styling really give it an added cool factor on top of its credentials as a true tool watch.
Pricing & Availability
The Sector DEEP Pioneer NVG is available on their online store for $750 USD (approx. $1028 CAD).
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About the Author
Based in Vancouver, BC, Wesley shares his passion for watches, photography, and EDC through his Instagram, @wesandwatches. With a strong interest for innovation within horology, he dives deep into brands with compelling stories, thoughtful design, and standout personalities. Beyond watches, Wesley keeps a close eye on men’s fashion and is an avid automotive enthusiast.
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