A New Great Affordable Pilot Watch: Nodus Sector II Pilot – DLC

The Los Angeles‑based microbrand Nodus has just elevated its pilot‑watch game with the brand‑new Nodus Sector II Pilot DLC. Think matte black DLC coating, neon-green instrument-style accents, and an ultra-slim case engineered for precision and comfort. It’s the perfect fusion of form and function, and it hits your wrist like a mission-ready instrument built for land, air, and everyday life.

The watch features a 316L surgical‑grade stainless‑steel case finished in a full matte black DLC (diamond‑like carbon) coating, which isn’t merely for looks, it offers real scratch/wear resistance, making this model ideal for daily use, travel, cockpit‑style or field environments.

The dial retains the Sector‑series signature: layered textures, a “sector” crosshair motif, bold applied Arabic numerals, a day‑date at 6 o’clock, and strong legibility. For the DLC version, the highlight is neon‑green accents (seconds hand, “Sector” wordmark, and certain hour markers) drawing inspiration from cockpit instrumentation glow.

The countdown bezel is a 120‑click uni‑directional piston system with a DLC‑steel insert for the DLC version.

The crystal is a box‑shaped sapphire with a blue‑tinted anti‑reflective coating on the underside, allowing the dial and hands to sit closer to the glass and giving a higher‑end feel.
Bracelet tapers 20 → 16 mm, features quick‑release spring bars and Nodus’s proprietary Extension (micro‑adjust) clasp. The DLC variant sees the bracelet fully coated in matching matt black DLC.

At its heart lies the Japanese TMI NH36 / Seiko Caliber NH36 automatic movement with day and date functionality. It offers around 41 hours of power reserve and has been regulated in‑house by Nodus to an accuracy of ±10 seconds per day—a level of performance rarely seen at this price point.

At just $625, the Sector II Pilot DLC punches far above its weight class. Honestly, it’s hard to find another watch offering this level of design sophistication, DLC coating, regulated movement, and in-house assembly without pushing into four-figure territory. Nodus continues to prove that you don’t need to drop luxury-brand money to get a timepiece that looks, feels, and performs like a premium tool watch. It’s not just a great price, it’s a ridiculous value.

Pricing, Availability & Where to Get One

The Nodus Sector II Pilot DLC is now available for order directly through the official Nodus website at a price of $625 USD. This model is in active release, and while supply is still limited due to its microbrand production scale, orders are shipping immediately while stocks last.

Whether for everyday wear, travel or simply as a design‑forward everyday tool watch, it’s a standout release for 2025. If you’re in the market for a pilot watch that ticks all the boxes, this one merits serious consideration.