era 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, pink- painted Land Rovers.

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.

We have given the M-1 Field the same stealthy makeover. The standard black dial has been replaced with a dusty pink shade, transforming it into a desert-spec field watch that would blend right in on the sand. The M-1 Dune pays homage to those late ‘60s SAS Land Rovers, taking on their unique sunset tones, and is produced in an edition of only 300 pieces.

The SAS’s original colour didn’t come ready mixed, so servicemen had to achieve their own. This was done by mixing red oxide primer and matt white paint with a small amount of black. There was no definitive ratio, so variations on the pink from vehicle to vehicle were drastic. For the M-1 Dune, we settled on a light dusk shade. It changes subtly depending on the sky and the light. In bright sunlight it takes on an almost sandy tone, while in warmer light and dusk and dawn, the pink tones pop. We like to think it’s exactly as the SAS would have intended, acting as an adaptable camouflage for desert dwellers.

It gives the M-1’s signature dished, one-piece dial a new sense of depth. The light pink shade means you can easily see the curved edges of the dial, which seamlessly meet the curved sapphire crystal glass doming over it. It makes the watch easy to read from all angles, which is only furthered by the large numerals, which are made from hand-applied Super-LumiNova®. The Aera logo meanwhile is cut from solid GlobolightTM, glowing bright green when the sun eventually goes down.

The sub-dial shows the sweeping seconds hand glide round, which is powered by the hand- wound Sellita SW216-1 Elabore grade movement and its 42 hour power reserve. The outer railroad track is another reference to the M-1’s military inspirations. It is a feature of the classic mid-century field watch, here subtly placed around the dished edge of the dial, exaggerating its curve. Housing the movement is a two part, flush-fitting screw down caseback, helping it achieve a water resistance of 100m. You’ll also notice a unique serial number engraved on the case- back, matching one on the underside of the lugs, like a ‘matching numbers’ classic car. An Aera design is considered from all angles, which is why we spent three years perfecting the shape of the lugs on the wrist, so that each watch sits comfortably all day long.

Field watches have always been durable bits of kit, relied on by those placed in compromising positions on the ground, in the sea or in the air. The M-1 Dune is no different. Like all Aera watches, its case has been made from 904L stainless steel, a harder, more durable alternative to 316L steel, which is used by the vast majority of watchmakers. Our steel is more difficult to mill, but the extra effort is worth it. It has a higher chromium and nickel content than inferior alloys, which makes it more resistant to corrosion and long exposure to extreme conditions. In short, it’s built to last a lifetime, its longevity acting as a reminder for us to use our time well. The M-1 Dune is limited to 300 pieces, launched in phased releases.

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.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• MODEL M-1 Dune (Edition of 300)

• PRICE £1600/ USD $1800 (including shipping, duties and customs fees to except the USA where duties and customs fees are paid by the customer)

• 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 GlobolightTM (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 anti- reflective 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