Designed by analog photographers and built to thrive in the field and on the wrist, the Obscura is a fusion of horology and photographic utility. Whether you are capturing fleeting moments on film or chasing the next action shot, the Obscura is built to be a staple in your photography kit.

Beers And Cameras x Nodus

This collaboration marks the first timepiece to integrate an exposure-calculating complication based on the Sunny 16 Rule, a clever and time-tested method for determining proper exposure without needing for a light meter. Developed from a patented innovation by Beers And Cameras founder Juan Martinez, the Obscura distills this essential photographic principle into an intuitive wrist-worn tool.

A Fusion of Horology & Photography

The Obscura seamlessly integrates the Sunny 16 Rule, providing a simple, intuitive way to gauge daylight exposure without a light meter. By aligning the bezel, aperture, and ISO markers, users can quickly determine the correct shutter speed for their film photography, making the Obscura a practical companion in the field.

Key Features:
• 38mm stainless steel case (40mm at bezel) with a DLC-coated bronze bezel and crown that patinates over time—evoking the look of well-loved vintage cameras.
• Limited 16-click bezel rotation spanning aperture values from f/16 to f/1.4 from 12 o’clock to 4 o’clock
• Film Speed (ISO 100, 200, 400 & 800) Indicators on Chapter Ring.
• Shutter Speed Scaling on the bezel for common lighting conditions; Sunny Day and Cloudy Day with no shadows.
• TMI NH38 automatic movement for reliable timekeeping and long-term serviceability.
• Designed for photographers, featuring a tool-free method to estimate exposure settings based on lighting conditions.

Obscura features a bronze bezel and crown with a black PVD coating that gradually wears down over time, revealing the warm bronze beneath. This aging process mirrors the way vintage black-paint cameras wear through to their brass bodies with years of use. Designed to develop character, the Obscura will take on a unique patina with wear.

The seconds hand, finished in light blue and white, pays homage to the photographic technique of exposing slide film sprocket holes. Additionally, the shade of blue is drawn from vintage depth-of-field markings found on 1980’s zoom lenses, complementing the orange-hued “+1” stop markers representing ISO 200 and ISO 800 on the dial.
At 12 o’clock, the aperture indicator and ISO 100 marker form an hourglass-like alignment—a subtle reference to the passage of time and a nod to Seiko’s legendary SNA411 Flightmaster which uses a similar-shaped marker.

Beers & Cameras

If you don’t know B&C, they have have a very popular Instagram and website. They have a passion for photography and with the release of this watch they are sharing their passion for timepieces too. I love the design of this watch, the subtle nods to classic cameras. I really like the idea of the bronze bezel. This is a watch I would gladly wear. I hope I can come to a B&C meetup someday too, they look awesome.

Pre-orders are now open at $650 USD, with estimated delivery in June 2025.

All lifestyle photography was shot on Kodak film by Juan Martinez and processed by The Darkroom Lab (San Clemente, CA).

Check out Nodus here.

JCH