Ever since Nodus came out with the Sector Deep in 2023, we couldn’t help but notice that it was one of the more tool-looking divers on the market. And with 500m, we didn’t expect anything else. However, the watch’s versatility beyond the water felt limited. When it came out with the Pioneer GMT version last year, nothing changed in that regard — even more significant considering its new role as a travel piece.
Our love and admiration for the relatively-young LA-based microbrand continues to grow with each passing year. Yet, we’ve desired a bit more wearability with the Sector Deep (and Sector Deep Pioneer) especially. Luckily, Nodus made this realization too with its first gradient dial variant.
Born from Government Needs
The Ranger colorway has an interesting backstory. Originally created for a government contract (details redacted, naturally), this gradient green dial was the Pioneer’s first iteration. After fulfilling that order, Nodus retrofitted the design for civilian use with the Admiral and Forge variants. Now, they’re releasing the original spec to the public.
That military pedigree explains a lot about the Pioneer’s design philosophy. This is built around specific scenarios where having a compass, dive timer, and second time zone actually matters. The 500m water resistance might be overkill for most, but this is a dive watch designed for serious applications.
Maximum Information, Readable Layout
The Pioneer crams an absurd amount of information onto that dial while staying legible. The gradient green fades from yellow-green at 12 o’clock down to black at 6, providing natural contrast zones. A skeletonized yellow GMT hand tracks a second time zone via the 24-hour dial track, while the massive 42mm bezel houses both a 60-minute dive scale and eight-point compass markings.
The destro crown placement at 9 o’clock protects the screw-down crown and keeps it out of the way during active wear. More importantly, that 4mm bezel overhang creates extra real estate for complications while making the 38mm case wear smaller than its specs suggest, in part thanks to the 13.6mm thickness with a 47mm lug-to-lug.
Everything — and we mean everything — is lumed with Swiss BGW9 Super-LumiNova. Hour markers, all three hands, both bezel scales, even the date wheel. In darkness, this thing transforms into a glowing instrument panel.
Thoughtful Engineering Throughout
Nodus equipped the Pioneer with the TMI NH34 automatic “caller” style GMT, which they regulate in-house to +/- 10 seconds per day. The sandblasted 316L case and tapered steel bracelet (20mm to 16mm) feature their proprietary NEM quick-adjust clasp — a detail you don’t often see brands developing themselves.
The flat sapphire crystal gets Nodus’ signature blue AR coating, optimized for underwater visibility. Between that and the raised hour markers designed to counter light refraction below the surface, the attention to functional details runs deep.
Spec Sheet
Model: Sector Deep Pioneer Ranger
Case Material: 316L stainless steel
Case Size: 38mm case with 42mm bezel
Case Thickness: 13.6mm
Lug-to-Lug: 47mm
Movement: TMI NH34 GMT automatic
Water Resistance: 500m
Lume: Swiss Super-LumiNova BGW9 Grade A
Bezel: 120-click unidirectional, DLC-coated steel (dual scale: dive/compass)
Bracelet: Stainless steel with NEM clasp
Crystal: Flat sapphire with blue AR coating
Pricing & Availability
Priced at $625, the Sector Deep Pioneer Ranger drops Wednesday, January 21 at 9 AM PST from Nodus’ website.
Recap
Nodus Sector Deep Pioneer Ranger
Nodus is releasing the Sector Deep Pioneer GMT in its first gradient dial, based on the one that was originally made for a military contract. It packs an ridiculous amount of functionality (GMT, compass bezel, 500m water resistance) into a $625 watch.
