Take a little behind the scenes look at Fratello. Usually, the time we have a clock in the office is relatively short. That can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. But it’s rare to have the opportunity to try out a watch for an extended period of time. I got that chance with the Nodus Contrail GMT Terra. The friendly folks at the brand let me wear the watch for several months. This allowed us to determine why the Contrail GMT is the best travel watch under 1,000 euros. Let me explain why!
In May of this year, I wrote about the new 3rd generation Nodus Contrail. In this article, we explained that this new generation introduces some welcome updates. The Los Angeles-based brand’s popular series has become one of the best GMT products on the market. As mentioned, this Contrail GMT features a new case design, flyer-style GMT movement, and luminescent bezel for updated cool looks and functionality. In the article, I also mentioned that I can’t wait to learn more in my hands-on review.
Contrail GMT Terra Edition
Before I put on the Contrail GMT, I learned why people love Nodus so much. There was the Nodus Trailtrekker Clay, created in collaboration with fellow American brand Raven. The Explorer II-like adventurer GMT was really fun to play with for a few weeks. In addition to their eye-catching presence, we found that both brands offer great quality for the price. I knew if the Contrail GMT was as good as it was, it would be a fun ride.
When the black dial Contrail GMT Terra landed on my desk, I was absolutely thrilled. Along with the Laguna Edition, it was probably my favorite of the four models released by the brand. The Terra’s visual appeal over the Laguna is its contrasting bezel insert. The Laguna features a sand-colored dial with red accents and a black and gray bezel insert, while the Terra edition features a black dial with red accents and a black and white bezel insert. . This adds a little more contrast during the day and adds more visual sparkle in the dark.
Contrail GMT offers perfect dimensions and stunning proportions
But let’s cover some basics first. The Contrail GMT features a redesigned stainless steel case measuring 40.5 mm in diameter, 11.8 mm thick (including the domed crystal), 46.6 mm tip-to-tip, and 20 mm lug-to-lug length. The case is now 0.8 mm slimmer than the previous generation, which is impressive, especially considering that the Miyota 9075 GMT movement is 1.02 mm thicker than the Miyota 9015 used previously.
The watch is water resistant to 200 meters and features a 48-click bidirectional bezel with a 24-hour luminous insert made of sapphire crystal. Thanks to 48 clicks, you can also track the time in parts of the world with 30-minute time zones. As mentioned above, the case and bezel match the textured black dial with Super-LumiNova coated indexes. Rehaut also features a 24-hour scale, allowing you to display three time zones simultaneously on your watch. At 6 o’clock there is a trapezoidal date window with a roulette date disc. Numbers for even dates are red and numbers for odd dates are white.
Familiar designs that feel fresh and inspired
The sharp, angular hour and minute hands fit perfectly into the overall look. These come with a slim seconds hand with a lume-filled counterweight and a red GMT hand with a lume-filled arrow-shaped tip. wholethe appearance of the watch, as mentioned at the beginning, reminds us of Grand Seiko’s GMT line from the Sports collection. I guess that’s a good thing, because it’s the perfect look for a modern GMT.
However, after that Having spent the last few months with Nodus and having spent time with Grand Seiko in the past, I would say they are different. It may come as a surprise, but I prefer the Contrail GMT to the Grand Seiko models due to its smaller case size and better proportions. Add to that the vastly different price points, making Nodus my preferred choice for multiple reasons.
Contrail GMT offers a truly luxurious experience
I loved the look of the Contrail GMT the moment I took the watch out of the box. Aesthetically, Terra is my favorite of the four versions. When you look at a watch, you can immediately tell how carefully it is made. At the Contrail GMT’s $825 price point, the quality of the case and bracelet is unparalleled. It’s a level you don’t often see in Fratello’s office. That’s why this watch quickly became popular, and all Fratello writers agreed that it’s almost impossible to get quality worth the price.
But it gets even better because the attention to detail and overall finish is also very impressive. The comfortable and beautifully sculpted case features a design that combines brushed and polished surfaces. Additionally, the brushed flat link bracelet features angled and polished edges to enhance your experience. Quality and finish greatly contribute to the feeling of wearing a genuine luxury watch. If I didn’t know, I would have thought this watch was at least 2-3 times more expensive.
Great bracelet and clasp, and reliable Miyota GMT movement
As for the bracelet, this three-row flat link design is equipped with the brand’s NodeX adjustable clasp. With 10mm of adjustment and the unique NodeX module, finding the perfect fit is easy with the push of a button. What’s great is that the bracelet tapers from 20mm to 16mm, adding elegance to the sporty design. Adjusting the size of the bracelet is easy thanks to the screws on the links. Finally, the quick-release spring bar makes it easy to switch from bracelet to strap.
Inside the case, Nodus has updated the movement to the Miyota caliber 9075. This flyer-style GMT movement has the practicality of an independently adjustable 12-hour hand to match local time. When traveling, you can easily change the time in your current zone by adjusting the hour hand forward or backward in hourly increments. The automatic movement beats at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has 24 jewels and has a 42-hour power reserve. As many of you may know, the Miyota 9075 has quickly become the go-to Flyer-style GMT movement for brands offering affordable watches. The reason is simple: there are no other readily available alternatives yet, and this caliber is incredibly popular.
Wearing Nodus Contrail GMT Terra
When I put the Contrail GMT on my wrist, I was impressed. Firstly, this watch has a very pleasant weight to it. The case fits snugly on your wrist, and the flexible bracelet wraps around your wrist smoothly. The large clasp closes with a confident click, and a peek through it reveals a nice combination of finishes not often seen on affordable watches. The clasp size is quite large, but I didn’t find it too big because it’s practical as it allows you to adjust the size of the bracelet perfectly.
A topic of discussion in the Fratello office is the flush-fit push button. This is because the style is not for everyone. It fits well with the overall look of my book, but some people prefer the classic buttons that stick out. However, in terms of functionality, it performs its task perfectly. When worn on the wrist, the watch not only feels good, but also looks good. All elements are well placed and the overall black and white color scheme feels crisp. Additionally, the red GMT hand provides enough contrast to easily read your home time.
Is the Contrail GMT the perfect watch?
What’s hard to read is the red Contrail name on the bottom half of the dial. It’s not necessarily a problem, but it does indicate a problem with the roulette date disc. Even if the dates are uneven, it doesn’t matter because the contrast between the white print and the black background is nice. However, on even dates, the red numbers may be difficult to read due to the lack of contrast. This was the only recurring negative point I found in my several months of using this watch. While I understand the fickle nature of roulette date discs, I strongly prefer a simple white date display all day long and a hint of red on the GMT hand.
Another thing that kept me coming back was the lume, in a good way. The luminous sapphire bezel insert is a bit of a party trick, but it’s fundamentally functional. As you can see, the BGW9 Super-LumiNova is impressive, illuminating the markers, hands, and especially the bezel like a Christmas tree. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve used a UV flashlight to charge my nightlight and played around with it until the effect put a smile on my face.
Try out different features of your watch
Functionally, the bidirectional bezel rotates with a firm but subtle click. The grip on the bezel could be a little better, but it wasn’t a real issue. When worn on the wrist, I liked the comfortable feel of the knurled crown. It has knurling, which is not often seen, but it fits the style and works like a charm. As many of you may know, you can adjust the central 12-hour hand forward or backward by removing the crown and pulling it out to its initial position. Pulling the crown out to the second position allows simultaneous adjustment of the hour and minute hands, including the 24-hour GMT hand.
Previously, I was worried about the operating feel of the crown on a watch equipped with Miyota’s caliber 9000 series. However, Nodus Contrail GMT has no such problems. Each turn of the crown adjusts the time by one hour. This is a very fine point. What’s more, there is a sense of resistance when turning the crown that gives it a luxurious feel. Finally, there is almost no play between the crown and hands when adjusting the time. I was impressed with the overall atmosphere. Perfectly complements the quality of the case and bracelet.
Final thoughts on Nodus Contrail GMT
By now you can see that I am completely impressed with the Nodus Contrail GMT. So this is definitely the best GMT watch under 1,000 euros. I would go so far as to say that it is one of the best watches available under 1,000 euros in terms of overall quality. But what I loved most was the feel I got when I wore the Contrail GMT. I like the way it looks so it’s a great starting point. But you can see and feel the meticulous attention to detail that the team at Nodus put into developing this watch. Yet, for me, the most obvious evidence of this isn’t the impressive build quality or the list of practical solutions that make this watch a pleasure to wear.
No, what really impressed me over and over again was the attention to detail. This gave me the feeling of wearing a luxury watch, which I don’t often see in watches in this price range, especially from smaller brands. Another watch that gives me that feeling is the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80. This watch punches way above its weight class, and the same goes for the Nodus Contrail GMT. This watch stood out to me among the many watches I have received for review over the years. The recurring feeling of being attracted to watches is special and doesn’t happen often. But it perfectly captures how impressed I was with this piece. It’s a connection that is difficult to express in words. Let’s use the superlatives of this story as a starting point.
Have you tried or purchased Nodus Contrail GMT? If so, what do you think about it? If not, do you think it’s an attractive proposition? Let us know in the comments.
