Nodus & Matt Farah Release New Canyon in Sunset Orange

Watch and car culture seem to be inextricably linked, with deep overlaps existing for generations, and a vast array of watches (both good and bad) that owe their existence to some form of automotive inspiration. Some of the more interesting examples take their cues not from cars or manufacturers directly, but rather from the enthusiast culture that surrounds them. That is exactly what the LA based brand Nodus have created in collaboration with automotive journalist and podcaster, Matt Farah of The Smoking Tire. The first watch came in 2023, a Canyon with mint green dial inspired by Matt’s personal car collection and bright Los Angeles locale. Kicking off 2024, their second watch sticks with the Canyon platform, and adds a dramatic Sunset Orange dial.

The Nodus Canyon makes for a robust platform for this project, lending itself to the high saturation dials with ease, as well as fitting with the overall goals of the collaboration. The intention of this watch goes beyond a catchy colorway. It’s meant to be an approachable watch that can put up with the rigors of life in the garage, and maybe even welcome a few dings and scratches along the way. The brushed steel case measures 41mm in diameter and 11.5mm in thickness, meaning it won’t exactly shy away from contact in a tight space. The 47.5mm measurement from lug to lug also makes this an easy watch to wear, particularly in the non-formal environments for which it was designed. 

The dial of the Canyon has a big personality, and that’s even before the application of bright colors. The applied hour markers and 3, 6, 9 numerals create a huge amount of contrast, and carry a serious amount of lume as a result. They sit within the raised outer sector of the dial, and hold up to big color without getting lost in the process. Likewise, the broad hands never seem to get lost, with thick borders and a healthy application of lume down their center. It’s an easy watch to use with excellent legibility, and a few ergonomic tricks up its sleeve as well.

The heavily tapered bracelet gets Nodus’ proprietary NodeX™ clasp that allows for quick adjustments on the fly. It utilizes a button hidden within the clasp itself, so the watch must be removed to access, but adjustments can be made easily and quickly. It’s a novel solution that’s a welcome sight on a watch in the ~$1,000 price range. Further, it’s fitted with quick release spring bars so strap changes can also be made easily and quickly. The watch also ships with a two piece nylon strap that matches the orange of the dial. Both the strap and bracelet feature The Smoking Tire logo. 

Under the caseback, which is emblazoned with a topographic likeness of the canyons outside of LA, sits the La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement with 68 hours of reserve. This is a movement we’re seeing with some increased frequency, which should help shake down any performance or serviceability concerns more quickly. It offers a few advantages over something like the Miyota 9039, but hasn’t quite had the time in market to be as well understood over the long haul. 

Nodus have found a fitting partner in The Smoking Tire, bringing to life a watch that represents their own local car culture. The big color creates an unmistakable personality set within a uniquely practical watch, echoing the hallmarks of LA’s vibrant automotive enthusiast spaces. It’s also non so overt as to alienate anyone outside of that scene, making for a compelling all around watch that’s not afraid to wear its personality on its sleeves. 

The Nodus x The Smoking Tire Canyon in Sunset Orange will be limited to just 100 units produced, and unlike the first variant, this one is available to the general public. The watch is priced at $1,199 and is available now directly from Nodus.