FAQs

If you have a question, please consult our list of frequently asked questions before reaching out for assistance.

Frequently asked questions

How do I return my order?

If you would like to return your order, please fill out the return form that came with the package. Make sure to include all the information requested on the form, such as the order number and the reason for the return. Once the form is complete, carefully seal the package and attach the shipping label that was also included with the package. Place the package in an appropriate shipping box and be sure to take the package to the post office or a courier service as soon as possible. If you have any questions about the return process, please contact our customer service team for assistance. We hope that you are completely satisfied with your purchase, but if you are not, we are here to help.

All orders can be returned within 30 days.

Once we have received the order return, the refund will be processed within 14 business days.

Are there any shipping costs?

Shipping Costs Explained: Everything You Need to Know Before Checkout.

Can I still change my order?

If you want to change your order, please send us an email. We will see what is still possible.

How can I track my order?

As soon as your order is shipped we will send you a track & trace code by mail. This way you can track your order.

Keep in mind that it can take up to 48 hours before the track & trace is available. Can't track your package after 48h? Please send us an email and we will contact the shipping company.

The specs say the movement has 26 jewels. Am I rich?

Sadly not, at least, not in that way. The jewels are vital to the smooth running of a movement; they are the durable, friction-reducing bearings in which the pinions and other parts of a watch movement rotate. They are universally man-made because they are more consistent in quality and performance.

I've heard of 316L stainless steel but what's 904L stainless steel?

316L stainless steel - also known as surgical steel - is used for the overwhelming majority of modern wristwatches. 904L Stainless steel - from which Aera watches are made - is known as a superalloy. 904L has more nickel, chromium, molybdenum, and copper which makes it more expensive and harder to process. However, it is more resistant to corrosion and pitting, which means a longer life for the case and a more durable finish, which is why it is used in the aerospace and chemical industries. Increased chromium content also gives the brushed surface a deeper, more lasting lustre whether polished or brushed. Yet it is still surprisingly rare in watchmaking. So, it is for both practical and aesthetic reasons we decided to go the extra mile.

Why does AERA describe its watches as "water-resistant" rather than "waterproof"?

'Water resistant' is the term used by an overwhelming majority of Swiss made brands since the 1960s, when the term waterproof was deemed illegal by the Federal Trade Commission in the USA. A watch is sealed with gaskets and may be subject to a wide variety of temperatures and humidity in daily use, which may affect its resistance to water pressure.

Ok, so what do the different 300m or 100m notations signify?

The depth rating printed on the dial and case back of your watch represents the degree of water pressure (expressed in metres below sea level) to which the watch, in normal conditions, will perform without any problem. They are the water depth to which the watch has been rated. Both Aera watches are built to easily withstand short-term submersion in water including swimming and snorkelling. The Diver, however, is rated to 300m (or 30 bar) which means it offers greater resistance to water pressure and will function in normal conditions for swimming, snorkelling and scuba diving.

Do AERA watches have anti-reflective coatings on the sapphire crystal?

All Aera watches have 2 coats of anti-reflective coating on the inside of the Sapphire crystal glass to reduce glare and increase legibility.

What does Swiss Made actually mean?

Swiss Made is a term established by the Swiss government (updated in 2017) to ensure quality standards for watches made in Switzerland. It defines a watch as Swiss made if a minimum of 60% of the watch's construction value is Swiss, and moreover, that the watch must be assembled, closed and quality-tested in Switzerland. All Aera watches conform to this Swiss industry standard, exceeding the 60% minimum.

Why do you use Sellita movements?

Sellita is a widely known manufacturer of dependable and accurate workhorse movements based in La Chaux de Fonds, Switzerland. Sellita's automatic movements have been tried and tested by multiple well-known Swiss watch brands. To Aera, that means we are in good company and, more importantly, we can provide reliable long-term timekeeping.

Are your watches limited editions?

We don't artificially limit our main collection watches in terms of numbers, rather we produce in batches limited by the production limitations of our factory. The first production run is represented by serial numbers (1-300).

Can I recycle the packaging when I receive the watch?

We recommend keeping your principal packaging. Most watch collectors tend to hang on to all the packaging because it helps to maintain the value of the watch for resale and also because they think of it as a long-term investment that is more intact if the box and papers are kept together. However, mindful of some customers' wishes, we have, from the outset, planned to make all our packaging with minimal waste and made it 100% recyclable. Also, much of it is recycled already.

How often should I get my watch serviced?

We recommend getting your watch serviced every three to five years of usual wear to ensure the water tightness of gaskets and seals as well as other functions of the movement. If your watch spends a lot of time underwater, however, we recommend service every 3 years.

Where do you perform servicing?

We have fully qualified watchmaking partner in UK and Switzerland, with more regions to be added later in 2025. Should your watch need servicing or repair, we will send it to the nearest watchmaker to you to maximise the speed of service.

What does 'pre-order' mean?

It means that this watch is still under construction at our factory in Switzerland. The 'pre-order' is the period in which you can advance order it. We will not announce a pre-order date until we have a firm delivery date.

What payment methods do you offer?

We will accept all major card providers. We also allow Shop Pay, Google Pay & Apple Pay & Paypal. Klarna is also available, but this is currently for customers within the UK only.

How long is the warranty on an AERA watch?

We provide a two-year warranty on all our watches, effective from the shipping date. If you register your watch within 30 days of receiving it, we extend it to three-years in total.

Do you offer interest free credit?

We do not currently offer interest free credit.

Does the price include VAT?

Yes, our prices include duties, shipping and VAT to countries we ship to.

What is PVD coating?

PVD stands for Physical Vapor Deposition which is essentially an ionic plating process in which the surface of the watch is coated with a resilient layer to change its appearance.