A chronograph for the 21st century, the C-1 Shadow is a mechanical heirloom designed for daily wear. It’s a contemporary update on the classic chronograph, with an all black design and PVD case, giving it a stealthy, understated look and feel. Inspired by the mid-century but updated with a minimal display and durable 904L stainless steel, it’s built to last multiple lifetimes.
Entirely assembled and finished by hand in Switzerland, the C-1 uses an automatic Sellita bi-compax movement, renowned for its reliability in all conditions. The antithesis to the digital age, it’s a handbuilt mechanical object intended to celebrate classic analogue design. But the watch’s modern, minimal design is entirely original. It features our signature one-piece, dished dial, which comes for the first time with two sub-registers at 3 and 9 O’clock. Stripped back so that only the essential details are present, it combines with our domed sapphire crystal, further exaggerating the case’s curves.
Like all our watches, we’ve made the case from 904L stainless steel. Far superior to the more commonly used 316L alloy, our steel has greater corrosion resistance, and while it’s more difficult to machine, it’s this added durability that made it perfect for our tool watches. With the C-1 Shadow, we’ve given it a PVD coating and a brushed finish, for a deep matt look that gives the watch its stealthy feel.
It’s the hand-finishing that makes the C-1 really special. The central seconds chronograph hand, matching register pointers, and crown pip have all been painted by hand in a vivid red lacquer. While the hours and minutes hands, as well as the white tips of the sub-dial hands have also been hand filled, this time with Super-LumiNova®, which glows bright green. Elsewhere, our Aera logo has been cut from solid Globolight™, glowing white like the midday sun.
Like all Aera watches, each C-1 Shadow comes with its own serial number engraved on the screw down caseback. This makes each one unique, and in an edition of just 300 pieces. We also include two of our integrated straps in Black FKM Scuba Rubber and Orange Italian Pebble Grain Leather with black PVD 906L steel hardware. They form perfectly around the wrist thanks to our ergonomically designed lugs, and feature our quick-release spring bars, making it easy to switch up the look depending on your outfit or mood.