The Nodus x Raven TrailTrekker Carbon pairs forged carbon with a luminous surprise
Tom Austin- The fourth chapter in the Nodus x Raven TrailTrekker collaboration introduces forged carbon to both the bezel and the dial, ensuring each watch has its own unique pattern, including a hidden trick.
- A grey DLC-coated stainless steel case, true traveller’s GMT movement and 200 metres of water resistance reinforce the TrailTrekker’s go-anywhere credentials.
- Supplied with both a flat-link bracelet and Nodus’ new Fusion FKM rubber strap, the TrailTrekker Carbon is now available at the Time+Tide Watch Discovery Studio in New York City.
Brand collaborations have become increasingly common over the last few years, but relatively few evolve beyond a single release. Los Angeles-based Nodus and Kansas outfit Raven Watches have now reached the fourth chapter of their TrailTrekker partnership, combining elements from Raven’s Trekker and the Nodus Contrail into a practical traveller’s GMT that has developed its own identity. The latest chapter, the TrailTrekker Carbon, gives the formula its most technical aesthetic yet, replacing conventional dial and bezel materials with forged carbon while retaining the compact proportions and everyday usability that defined the previous models.
The TrailTrekker Carbon keeps the familiar 39.5mm grey DLC-coated 316L stainless steel case, measuring 11.8mm thick with a wearable 46.6mm lug-to-lug length. A matte media-blasted finish gives the case a purposeful, technical appearance, while the screw-down crown, 200 metres of water resistance, and box sapphire crystal underline that this is still very much a capable tool watch rather than simply a design exercise. The biggest visual change comes from the fixed 24-hour bezel, which is now machined from forged carbon infused with Super-LumiNova before being engraved and filled with luminous material. The result is a bezel that not only glows blue after dark but also ensures no two watches look exactly alike.
That same glowing, forged-carbon treatment extends to the dial, creating flowing layers of grey and black that give the watch far more visual depth than a traditional matte tool watch dial, and when the lights go out, the random, swirling patterns glow with the same blue as the bezel.
Against that backdrop sit polished gunmetal indices filled with BGW9 Super-LumiNova, maintaining strong contrast and legibility, even in the dark, while the red GMT hand provides the only real splash of colour. The dial layout itself remains refreshingly restrained yet functional, drawing on Raven’s clean, highly legible design language rather than competing with the carbon’s naturally complex texture. It’s a sensible decision, allowing the material to become the focal point without sacrificing usability.
Inside the TrailTrekker Carbon sits the Japanese Miyota 9075 automatic calibre, one of the most important movements to emerge in the affordable GMT segment in recent years. As a true traveller’s GMT, it features an independently adjustable local hour hand, making it particularly useful for frequent flyers crossing time zones. It’s a movement we’ve now seen adopted by a growing number of enthusiast-focused brands, offering approximately 42 hours of power reserve, while beating at 28,800 Vph. One limitation of the 9075 is that it’s not the prettiest of automatic movements, but thankfully, Nodus has chosen to keep it hidden behind a subtly engraved screw-down case back, keeping things slim and straightforward.
The watch comes fitted to Nodus’ familiar flat-link steel bracelet, finished to match the matte grey DLC case and equipped with the brand’s NEM (Nodus Extension Module) clasp for easy on-the-fly adjustment. Also included in the box is the new Fusion strap, an FKM rubber option with integrated metal end links that offers a sportier alternative without compromising the masculine, tool-like look of the watch. Quick-release spring bars make swapping between the two straightforward, giving owners two very different personalities from the same watch.
The TrailTrekker has always occupied an interesting niche by blending the practicality of a travel GMT with the robustness of an outdoor tool watch, and this carbon edition pushes the design further without changing what made the original so compelling. Nodus and Raven have chosen materials that introduce some unique character while preserving the watch’s straightforward, highly usable nature. At US$1,075, complete with both bracelet and rubber strap, it continues to offer an appealing package for enthusiasts looking for something a little different in the increasingly crowded GMT market.
Nodus x Raven TrailTrekker Carbon pricing and availability
The Nodus x Raven TrailTrekker Carbon is available to pre-order from the Time+Tide Shop and the Time+Tide Studio in New York City from July 22nd, with deliveries beginning on July 31st. Price: US$1,075
| Brand | Nodus x Raven Watches |
| Model | TrailTrekker Carbon |
| Case Dimensions | 39.5mm (D) x 11.8mm (T) x 46.6mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | 316L stainless steel, grey DLC coated |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front |
| Dial | Forged carbon fibre, lume-infused |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Bracelet | Flat link stainless steel bracelet, grey DLC-coated, micro-adjust clasp, Fusion FKM black rubber strap, integrated steel end links |
| Movement | Miyota 9075, automatic |
| Power Reserve | ~42 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT function |
| Availability | Pre-order from July 22nd |
| Price | US$1,075 |