Ever since I spent time with the first-generation TrailTrekker, I’ve had a hard time shaking it. It became my favorite Nodus watch, and I’ve tracked every iteration since with a level of attention I don’t give most collaborations. So when the new Nodus TrailTrekker Basecamp landed, I was already paying close attention before the specs even loaded.
A quick bit of context for anyone who needs it: the Nodus and Raven Watches collaboration launched in 2024, pairing Nodus’s adventure-focused design sensibility with Raven’s eye for retro aesthetics. The original TrailTrekker leaned hard into stealth, with a Cerakote-finished case, matte charcoal bezel, and a blacked-out bracelet that gave it a distinctly tactical personality. The Basecamp moves in a different direction entirely, swapping that muted, tool-forward look for sandblasted stainless steel and a royal blue dial that reads closer to the Explorer II territory the whole concept was inspired by.
That Explorer II connection is worth dwelling on for a second. Rolex introduced the original in 1971 specifically for cave exploration, borrowing the 24-hour complication from the GMT Master to help spelunkers distinguish night from day underground. The travel watch reputation came later. Nodus and Raven are drawing from that same DNA here, with a sandblasted stainless case, black lacquered 24-hour track, and a true GMT complication via the Miyota 9075 that lets the hour hand be set independently.
At first glance, the blue dial is what stops you. It carries a matte finish, and the eggshell white Old Radium X1 Super-LumiNova across the hands, markers, and even the date disc creates a highly legible, complementary contrast. The trapezoidal date window at 6 o’clock has a metallic frame that blends into the dial well enough that it almost disappears, which is a detail I appreciate more than I probably should. Yellow accents on the GMT hand and the cardinal minute track dashes add just enough visual tension without tipping into busy territory.
The Nodus TrailTrekker Basecamp does trade away the Cerakote durability of the original for exposed stainless steel, which is a real consideration if you’re planning to use this thing hard. That said, the coarse sandblasted finish does a reasonable job masking the kind of everyday scuffs that would show up immediately on a polished case. The blue-tinted box sapphire crystal is a Nodus signature at this point, and it suits the Basecamp’s overall character well. Crown guard protection, a screw-down crown, and 200m water resistance round out a package that still takes the “adventure watch” brief seriously.
For $875, this is still a genuinely impressive watch. Compared to the first generation, I think the Basecamp seems more polished and considered, less utilitarian and more like something you’d reach for on a regular Tuesday. Whether that’s a step forward or a step sideways probably depends on what drew you to the TrailTrekker in the first place. I think it’s a hit, but I’ll be curious to see how it wears over time versus that original.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.