Nodus and Raven Add a Luminous Forged Carbon Twist to Project TrailTrekker

Nodus and Raven Watches have built a neat corner of the microbrand world around watches that are meant to be worn hard, not admired from a safe distance.

The new TrailTrekker Carbon keeps that practical mindset intact, but gives the collaborative GMT a more technical edge through forged carbon and a stealthy DLC-coated case.

It’s compact, travel-ready and visually distinctive without turning into a concept watch.

At a glance

A forged carbon GMT with real-world intent

The TrailTrekker Carbon uses a 39.5mm stainless steel case with a dark grey DLC coating, giving the watch a more subdued look while adding extra scratch resistance.

At 11.8mm thick, it stays within daily-wear territory, which matters for a GMT designed to move between airport, office and weekend use.

The 24-hour bezel insert is forged carbon, matching the dial and giving the watch its strongest visual identity.

Forged carbon is a composite material made from chopped carbon fibres compressed with resin under heat and pressure, which creates an unpredictable pattern rather than a uniform weave.

That randomness is the point here, as each dial and bezel will show its own markings and striations.

Nodus and Raven have added another layer by infusing the resin with Super-LumiNova, so the carbon elements reveal glowing swirls in low light instead of limiting lume to hands and markers.

The TrailTrekker name comes from both brands

The watch’s identity is a deliberate blend of Nodus and Raven design cues.

The case architecture draws from the Nodus Contrail GMT, while the hour markers take their shape language from the Raven Trekker.

Those markers include square, triangular and tag-like forms, adding a little character without compromising legibility.

A red 24-hour GMT hand brings the only strong colour accent to the dial, standing out against the darker carbon and grey case finish.

The date sits at 6 o’clock, a practical placement that keeps the dial balanced and reinforces the watch’s tool-first personality.

The Miyota 9075 gives it true GMT functionality

Inside is the Miyota 9075, an automatic GMT calibre that has become a favourite among accessible travel watches.

Its key advantage is true GMT operation, meaning the local hour hand can be adjusted independently in one-hour jumps without disturbing the minutes, seconds or 24-hour hand.

That makes time-zone changes far easier when travelling, especially compared with office GMT layouts that require more setting at the crown.

The movement runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour and offers a 42-hour power reserve.

It is covered by a solid caseback carrying the TrailTrekker’s signature caravan motif, keeping the watch in line with the series’ travel theme.

Water resistance is rated to 200 metres, so the TrailTrekker Carbon isn’t just a travel watch in theory.

Price and release timing

The Nodus x Raven TrailTrekker Carbon is priced at $1,075, which is approximately £801.

It will be offered first at Intersect Los Angeles on July 17 and 18, followed by general sale from July 22.

At this price, the appeal is straightforward.

You’re getting a compact automatic true GMT, strong water resistance, a steel bracelet, an additional rubber strap and enough forged carbon to make the watch feel materially distinct.

Details & Specifications

The TrailTrekker Carbon works because it doesn’t treat forged carbon as decoration alone.

It folds the material into a practical GMT format with the proportions, water resistance and movement choice to make it a convincing everyday travel watch.