Aera Instruments Reviews 

I've bought enough watches over the years to keep my expectations modest, particularly with independents. AERA cleared the bar and then kept going.

I was in London from New Zealand last month and had been circling AERA online for a while. Jas, one of the founders, offered to meet me in London and show me the watches in person. He gave me a proper amount of his time, walked me through the range, let me handle everything without a hint of pressure, and talked openly about the decisions behind the watches — what went in, what was deliberately left out, and why.

That matters more than it might sound. These are watches you have to hold. The photography is good but it undersells the objects, and I'd have made a worse decision buying blind. I went in leaning towards the diver and came out with the P-1, entirely because I'd had it on my wrist.

It also tells you something about the company. A founder making time for a customer who happens to be passing through from the other side of the world isn't a sales tactic — there's no economics in it. It's someone who cares what happens to the things he makes.

The pilot watch is a difficult archetype to do well. It's been copied so relentlessly that most attempts land somewhere between pastiche and parody — oversized crowns nobody needs, faux-vintage lume, decoration standing in for purpose. AERA has stripped it back to what the archetype was actually for: instant legibility. The oversized numerals are sized for reading, and the hand-filled Super-LumiNova is properly applied rather than a token gesture. Glance at it in poor light and you have the time before you've consciously looked at it.

The dial is the real achievement. The dished, single-piece construction sitting under a domed sapphire gives a depth a flat dial simply cannot, and it shifts character as light moves across it without ever becoming harder to read. That's a finer balance than it sounds.

Case finishing is where it becomes obvious you aren't looking at a rebadged catalogue watch. The brushing is even, the transitions between surfaces are crisp rather than softened, and the 904L steel has a cooler, denser look than the 316L you'd normally find at this money. The screw-in case back is engraved with the specification and serial number — a small thing, but it signals a company taking itself seriously.

On the wrist it wears considerably better than the numbers suggest. The lug geometry does the heavy lifting: it sits close rather than perching, which is the difference between a watch you admire in a drawer and one you actually put on every morning. It hasn't left my wrist since I got back.

The Sellita SW200-1 is a sensible, unromantic choice and I mean that as praise. Proven, 38 hours of reserve, and serviceable by any competent watchmaker anywhere in the world — including here in New Zealand, which is not a trivial consideration when you live a long way from Switzerland. Timekeeping has been excellent. AERA has put the money where you can see and feel it, rather than into an in-house movement no independent would want to open in fifteen years' time.

Verdict

Five stars without qualification. The P-1 is a serious piece of design and engineering at a rational price, and the people behind it behave like a company that intends to still be here in twenty years.

If you can get hands-on with one, do — and if you're anywhere near them, ask. On the evidence, they'll say yes.

high quality watch created by people who are really committed to what they do, and to their customers needs

The Aera team Continue to supply amazing products with care!

Good customer service and an excellent timepiece.

Quality timepieces from a quality company. Everything is geared towards the customer and the personal touch elevates it above the competition. Highly recommend.

Excellent communication from Aera on the watch I ordered to include letting me know about a shipping delay. The delay was outside of their control but they keep me informed which was greatly appreciated. Once my watch shipped, it was delivered quickly and I was able to track it's progress.

great watch - just what I wanted

I have a number of 'high end' watches, but this is the first time purchasing a watch online. I spent a long time reading / watching reviews and assuring myself this was both a watch and a company I wanted to deal with.
My D-1 arrived, it's a great looking piece, perfect for summer as I'd hoped. Despite the size it wears more 42mm, although it does ride high as it's thick and domed.
The rubber strap is exceptional. I've never been a fan of them, but this is amazingly comfortable from the first wear. I have yet to try the additional leather strap, but it certainly looks and feels great.
Case finish is very good, I love the 'high' indices, they give a lovely, 3-D feel and were one of the things that attracted me in the first place.
Overall it's an exceptionally comfortable watch and I love the look.
Packaging - good, well constructed, it's not a pearwood box : ) but it's very nice. I do find it a bit odd there is no manual included (you have to go online). Call me old fashioned, but at this price point, I'd expect a basic outline of functionality, winding, maintenance instructions.
The negatives - the wind is a bit meh, no discernible clicking or registering of the wind. So it feels like you're just turning the crown aimlessly.
The lume would be my main disappointment. In my opinion there's too much going on and what is a superbly legible watch in the day, becomes over complicated at night.
Communication - we had a few issues with my emails being blocked, but got there in the end. I also received contact from Jas directly to explain and resolve which was really appreciated.
Overall, I love the watch, I'm tempted by the M-1 as well. I love the unique styling and it's a keeper.

I purchased a D1 Diver watch in late 2022. Within 18 months the markers started falling out of the bezel. The company at this time were very good in replacing the bezel under warranty. However here we are 2 years later and the replacement bezel is shedding markers again. This time the response is not so good. I have been told that apparently the watch doesn’t like seawater 🤣 and has to be washed every time you go in the sea!! This advice is hidden somewhere in the manual. The response from company is the typical large corporate response, send us the watch, at my expense, and they will repair it, at my expense. Can’t see the point as a third bezel will probably fail and I will still have a dive watch that is allergic to the sea! Will have to write it off as a bad buy and use my Tag Heuer watch instead which after nearly 20 years is nearly as good as new and never been washed after going in the sea.

Update to company reply

Good response Jas- tell everyone I’m being unreasonable and I don’t know what I’m talking about. Always looks good!

I note from your emails that I am not the only customer to have suffered this problem.

Let’s take you back through your emails after I first reported the loss of markers for the second time in less than 4 years of ownership.

First excuse - must have knocked the watch. I then pointed out that you sold a robust divers watch that will be worn on my wrist not a delicate dress watch

Next excuse - I must have cleaned it with wrong products I told you that it has never been cleaned with anything other than water

Third excuse - I let salt water dry on the watch after wearing it in the sea. I pointed out that did the company expect me to find fresh water immediately everytime I came out of the sea. Was the watch fit for purpose as a usable dive watch or just pretty to look at. I confirmed that it was washed at the end of every day I went into sea in a shower.

Only after posting my review did you offer to collect the watch at your expense for inspection…prior to that I had to pay to return it for inspection.

I note your comment about small company and customer care. I would agree with that when you replaced the first bezel but this time it’s the usual ‘manual says’ and out of warranty so not our problem.

The best customer care would have been to say sorry for the inconvenience and offered to replace the bezel once again free of charge? How much would that have cost you compared all the aggro you are now dealing with?

Whatever the reason for the loss of markers on the bezel in a period of less than 4 years I have had 2 bezels both of which have had the same problem. This points to a more fundamental design problem, poor quality materials or workmanship rather than an issue regarding use and wear. Having it repaired or replaced again at my cost, what assurance will this give me that the same problem won’t happen again…..

I love my P-1 pilot watch. The design is unique within the field of pilots watches. The case is substantial in size and weight, which I like. The dial is gorgeous in its simplicity and so very readable.

The simplicity of design is what drove my purchase of the D1 Diver. The non "tapered" strap matches well with the overall size of the watch along with the great lum's. I've bought several watches over the internet recently and Aera photos' on their website generally depict the brightness of the Lum's while other manf. not so much.

Couple notes:

1. For the size of the watch, a slightly larger crown might have been a more appropriate choice.
2. Missed "polishing" in 1 spot near the crown but I like it knowing I can always tell my watch from any other D1 based on this 1 spot not polished.

Great experience. Very good quality and beautiful watches. Great customer service and communication with them. Truly recommended

Wonderful service. Manufacturer achieved perfection. I was thrilled with the watch.

Aera have a gorgeous, clear and easy to navigate website.
The images are true to their pieces, and not digitally rendered reproductions.
(Can only speak ref M1 dune model.
Ordering was straight forward and they kept me updated on schedules, with a couple of personally sent emails.
Really happy to own and wear something extremely well made, rare and unique in today’s global wristwatch market.

To be fair the watch is ok but feel cheated i purchased 1 of 25 limited edition watch now being sold as limited on the mr porter site so not limited at all just a play on words that is scamming in my opinion and Ted Snyder should not attach his name to such collabs
Looks bad for his brand

From the first moment I saw the Aera D-1 whiteout I knew I had to have one.
Unfortunately, i missed the initial release and lost the opportunity after they sold out immediately.

After I sent an e mail explaining my lapse on failing to secure one of the very limited 25 made, I received a reply to explain that a client hadn't completed their purchase!

Jas (the boss) took the time to get involved and ask customer services to arrange for me to finalise my purchase.

A few days later and it arrived, a day ahead of schedule!

WOW, an absolutely stunning piece that is robust and beautifully made.
I'm so glad I managed to get one on my wrist.

The whole Aera range is exquisite, something stylish, distinctive and a breath of fresh air from the myriad of mainstream watches available, just so individual.

If you want a high quality, well designed and very competitive watch, look no further!

It’s perfect
Thank you

Over the moon with my C-1 chronograph! First, what a beautifully presented package and leather case! The watch itself is a stunner, ...stylish, refined, and yet rugged. Beautful minimalistic deisgned and attention to detail. Plus the leather strap is next level. No corners cut, ...well done Aera!

Product arrived 6 days after ordering. I was kept up to date throughout. Lovely watch - great craftsmanship and the design means it sits incredibly comfortably on the wrist

Super swift in responding! Very helpful and friendly! ….and my new watch is a Perfect 10…!!!