M-1 Krons

From Aera Instruments

Created with Krons, Aera’s first retail partner and exclusive retailer in Stockholm, the M-1 Krons marks our first collaboration with a watch retailer. A contemporary interpretation of the classic military field watch, it pairs a Ghost Grey dial with warm beige, three-dimensional Globolight™ numerals formed from Tritec Swiss Super-LumiNova®, a contrasting black small-seconds register and a satin-brushed 904L stainless steel case. Swiss made and hand-wound, it is produced in an edition of 25 individually numbered pieces. Krons has been part of Stockholm’s watchmaking landscape for over half a century, with its home in the city’s PK-huset on Hamngatan since the early 1970s. The store has become a well-established destination for watch collectors and enthusiasts. As Aera’s first retail partner, Krons has played an important role in introducing our watches to customers in Sweden. This collaboration celebrates that relationship and a shared appreciation for thoughtful design, precision engineering and craft. For this special edition, we returned to the M-1, Aera’s contemporary interpretation of the classic military field watch. Inspired by the functional clarity and reliability of the British military watches known as the Dirty Dozen, the M-1 Krons retains the original’s compact 39mm proportions, straightforward functionality and restrained design, introducing a new visual character to a familiar instrument. The Ghost Grey dial is complemented by warm beige, three-dimensional Globolight™ numerals formed from solid blocks of Tritec Swiss Super-LumiNova®, with matching luminous detailing across the hands. A recessed black small-seconds register at six o’clock provides contrast, whilst the outer railroad minute track is in white, maintaining a clean and balanced display. In low-light conditions, the numerals and hands emit a distinctive green glow, whilst the hand-applied, three-dimensional Aera logo, also formed from Globolight™, illuminates white. The 39mm case is crafted from satin-brushed 904L stainless steel, selected for its superior corrosion resistance and deeper lustre compared to conventional 316L steel. More challenging to machine and finish, 904L offers the durability and character expected of an everyday instrument. The signature curved dial profile sits beneath a domed sapphire crystal, whilst the ergonomically angled lugs and integrated strap design ensure a comfortable and balanced fit on the wrist. Inside is a Swiss-made Sellita SW216-1 Elaboré-grade manual-winding movement with a 42-hour power reserve, chosen for its reliability, precision and long-term serviceability. Winding the watch becomes a small ritual, a moment of interaction between the instrument and the person wearing it. Swiss made and hand assembled by skilled artisans, the M-1 Krons also retains the 100m water resistance of the original M-1 Field. Designed to be worn often, relied upon daily and kept for years to come, the M-1 Krons brings together the functional character of the field watch with a collaboration built on a longstanding relationship. Produced in a special edition of 25 individually numbered pieces, each M-1 Krons features an engraved case back bearing the Aera x Krons collaboration mark. The watch comes fitted with a dark brown leather strap with contrasting white stitching and quick-release functionality, complementing the warmth of the dial and numerals. A handmade brown leather pouch, crafted in the UK and featuring Aera x Krons detailing, completes the presentation.