The New Aera M-1 Dune Field Watch

Aera introduces a new, dusty pink-dialled take on its M-1 Field watch. The M-1 Dune borrows its unique shade from the late 1960s elite black-ops regiment, the SAS and their desert-spec, pinkpainted Land Rovers.

The Story Behind The Watch

In late 2024, Aera debuted the M-1 Field and M-1 Blackbird, two contemporary hand-wound models inspired by classic military-issued field watches. The field watch has long been appreciated for its purposeful design. Rugged, simple and functional, they were designed to do a job and built to last. We took this concept a step further with the M-1, simplifying the design and using top quality materials including 904L stainless steel.

We feel particularly rewarded with what we came up with. Now, we thought it was time for a little fun, and the M-1 Dune is the result. In the same 39mm package, and with our signature dished dial and pebble-shaped case, we’ve overhauled the M-1 with a distinctive pink colourway. It’s a shade that might be recognisable to the military historians out there.

For this very special update of the M-1, we chose a unique desert camouflage scheme – a fetching dusty pink – adopted in the late 1960s by Britain’s own elite black-ops regiment, the Special Air Service. It’s a shade this most hardcore of units painted its Land Rover vehicles. And they didn’t do it just to look pretty.

In 1968, the British Army’s involvement in desert warfare was increasing, particularly in the Persian Gulf. Looking for advantages in the inhospitable landscape, the Ministry of Defence overhauled 72 Series IIA long wheelbase Land Rovers, adapting them for use in the desert. Delivered from the factory in standard bronze green, they were immediately sent off to be transformed into a new desert specification. To handle the dunes, the suspension was uprated and chunky sand tyres replaced the standard rubber. Fuel capacity was extended to 100 gallons to allow for extended range in the sand, while a sun compass was installed, a bit of kit first developed by the Long Range Desert Group in World War II.

The finishing touch? A thick coat of pink paint, which covered everything from the exterior, the wheels, seats and even steering wheel. It was believed to be the best form of camouflage in the dunes, particularly at dawn and dusk when operations were at their most active.

This wasn’t the first time military equipment was given a ‘pinkie’ overhaul. In WW2, Lord Mountbatten, then head of the Navy, applied the shade to his fleet of battleships, believing it would render them invisible when the sun was low. Its effectiveness was questioned at sea, but it was generally thought to be effective in the dunes of the Middle East. The ‘Pink Panther’ Land Rovers, as they would be known, served the SAS from 1968 until 1984. It’s believed only 20 survive today, making them some of the rarest, and stealthiest, military Land Rovers in existence.

The M-1 Dune

In late 2024, Aera debuted the M-1 Field and M-1 Blackbird, two contemporary hand-wound models inspired by classic military-issued field watches. The field watch has long been appreciated for its purposeful design. Rugged, simple and functional, they were designed to do a job and built to last. We took this concept a step further with the M-1, simplifying the design and using top quality materials including 904L stainless steel.

We feel particularly rewarded with what we came up with. Now, we thought it was time for a little fun, and the M-1 Dune is the result. In the same 39mm package, and with our signature dished dial and pebble-shaped case, we’ve overhauled the M-1 with a distinctive pink colorway. It’s a shade that might be recognisable to the military historians out there.

For this very special update of the M-1, we chose a unique desert camouflage scheme – a fetching dusty pink – adopted in the late 1960s by Britain’s own elite black-ops regiment, the Special Air Service. It’s a shade this most hardcore of units painted its Land Rover vehicles. And they didn’t do it just to look pretty.

In 1968, the British Army’s involvement in desert warfare was increasing, particularly in the Persian Gulf. Looking for advantages in the inhospitable landscape, the Ministry of Defence overhauled 72 Series IIA long wheelbase Land Rovers, adapting them for use in the desert. Delivered from the factory in standard bronze green, they were immediately sent off to be transformed into a new desert specification. To handle the dunes, the suspension was uprated and chunky sand tyres replaced the standard rubber. Fuel capacity was extended to 100 gallons to allow for extended range in the sand, while a sun compass was installed, a bit of kit first developed by the Long Range Desert Group in World War II.

The finishing touch? A thick coat of pink paint, which covered everything from the exterior, the wheels, seats and even steering wheel. It was believed to be the best form of camouflage in the dunes, particularly at dawn and dusk when operations were at their most active.

This wasn’t the first time military equipment was given a ‘pinkie’ overhaul. In WW2, Lord Mountbatten, then head of the Navy, applied the shade to his fleet of battleships, believing it would render them invisible when the sun was low. Its effectiveness was questioned at sea, but it was generally thought to be effective in the dunes of the Middle East. The ‘Pink Panther’ Land Rovers, as they would be known, served the SAS from 1968 until 1984. It’s believed only 20 survive today, making them some of the rarest, and stealthiest, military Land Rovers in existence.

The M-1 Dune

The M-1 Dune watches comes on an integrated Italian suede grey strap with white stitching and a 904L stainless steel buckle. In addition to this the customer can choose an additional strap from the rest of the Aera collection. A handmade black pebble grain Italian leather pouch accompanies every watch.

• Model: M-1 Dune (Edition of 300)
• Movement: Elabore Grade Sellita SW216-1 Manual Winding Movement: 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) 42-hour power reserve 23 Jewels Hacking Seconds
• Dial: Dusty Pink one-piece dished dial with white railroad track and 12 o’clock index in grey
• Aera Logo: White Globolight™ (0.25mm height) which glows white in low-light conditions
• Sub Dials: Recessed dial in dusty pink with white markings
• Hours and Minute Hands: Grey lacquered sword hands with hand-filled white Grade X1 Super-Luminova® Subdial Hand White with grey Grade X1 Swiss Super-LumiNova® tip
• Super-Luminova®: Green emission in low-light conditions WATER RESISTANCE 100m/10ATM
• Case: Satin Circular brushed 904L stainless steel
• Case Dimensions: Diameter 39mm Thickness 13.14mm Lug to lug 47.6mm
• Bezel: Satin circular brushed 904L stainless steel
• Crystal: Domed sapphire crystal with two coats of antireflective coating underneath the crystal
• Case Back: 2-piece screw-in case back with engraved specifications and serial number
• Serial Number: Matching serial numbers engraved on case back and laser etched on rear of bottom right lug
• Lug Width: 20mm
• Straps: Grey Italian suede strap with white stitching and a 904L stainless steel buckle. In addition to this the customer can choose an additional strap from the rest of the Aera collection.
• Watch Pouch: Hand made with black pebble grain calf leather
• Warranty: All Aera watches come with a 2 year warranty which increases to 3 years upon registration

Aera
https://aera.co | @aerainstruments

Aera crafts purposeful and functional instruments that are designed to be used everyday and built to last a lifetime. We call them Tools for Life.

A good watch is about far more than simply telling time – it’s about integrity, authenticity and design that lasts. These are the pillars on which Aera was founded.

Good product design depends on rigorous functionality, elevated engineering and great style. With this in mind, close friends and watch industry veterans Jas Minhas and Olof Larsson, co-founded Aera in 2018. The duo decided it would focus its efforts on creating a new range of Swiss made mechanical watches that were enduringly useful, contemporary in appearance and price, with a quality level to ensure they would stand the test of time. This would all be combined with a warmth and a spirit, reminding all to spend the time that we have been given, well.

Launched in July 2022 and our design, quality and pricing of our instruments has convinced both watch collectors and design enthusiasts to invest and make an Aera their everyday watch of choice.

All images courtesy of Aera.

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