LuxuryWatchesA Week on the Wrist with the Aera P1 – a brilliant pick for larger wristsThe Aera P1 is a lovely Pilot watch with a large case diameterWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
LuxuryWatchesA Week on the Wrist with the Aera P1 – a brilliant pick for larger wristsThe Aera P1 is a lovely Pilot watch with a large case diameterWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
The Aera P1 is a lovely Pilot watch with a large case diameter
When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
Being able to test thebest watcheson the market is a really fun job. You get to see all of the most popular, Instagram-worthy watches, while also getting hands on with some lesser known brands.
That’s exactly what happened with Aera. The newcomers to the market reached out with a duo of models – theAera D-1and this, the Aera P-1.
Both of these sit slightly larger on the wrist, with bigger case diameters than the current trend for small watches has popularised. The D-1 took on adive watchform, but this P-1 is styled more as a pilot watch.
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
Let’s jump into some specs. First things first – that case diameter is a whopping 43mm. While five years ago that may not have been met with too much trepidation, these days that does feel positively gargantuan.
36mm is the new 40mm; 40mm is the new 43mm, and 43mm? Well, that might as well be a wall clock for most people.
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The matte nature of that dial is really nice to look at. While there is definitely a trend for dials which play with the light at the moment, that’s rarely what you’d want from a pilot watch. In those scenarios, you need a dial which is easy to read no matter if it’s under direct sunlight or next to no light at all – and that’s exactly what you get here.
A Sellita SW200-1 movement sits inside. That’s a really reliable movement, which we’ve seen a whole lot of recently – most notably in a range ofChristopher Wardwatches lately. You’ll also find a water resistance rating of 100m here, which should be more than enough for most pursuits.
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
What is the Aera P-1 like to wear?
Can the P-1 give the same experience? Well, sort of, yes. Certainly, it’s not the wrist-mounted wall clock many would have you believe.
Again, the included strap selections – whether rubber, leather or suede – all have quite a pronounced angle to them. That adds a significant amount of length to the watch, which can make it tricky for smaller wrists.
With no NATO included for this one, I couldn’t try that here, either. Regardless, though, I’m not sure it would have felt smaller, even with a less cumbersome strap. The slimmer bezels and more open face of the P-1 just give it a broader silhouette, which is tougher to style out.
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
(Image credit: Sam Cross)
Is the Aera P-1 worth the money?
That’s a tricky one to answer here. Certainly, the raw elements on offer warrant the price tag – getting Rolex-esque 904L steel and a well-regarded third-party movement.
With that being said, it’s certainly not an easy sell. At £1,100, the Aera P-1 enters one of the most fiercely competitive market segments out there. A wide range of established brands and plucky start up efforts exist here, giving users alotof choice.
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