There is a specific aesthetic associated with the 1930s that is hard to replicate. It was a time when aviation wasn’t just a mode of transport; it was a daring frontier. It was an era defined by the heat of sun-soaked airstrips, the blinding glint of polished chrome fuselages, and the rhythmic, hypnotic hum of propellers slicing through the air.
It was Top Gun energy, long before Maverick ever put on a pair of aviators. This spirit of discovery and mechanical elegance is precisely what the British-based Marloe Watch Company has captured with their stunning new Aerodyne range. And, pleasingly, these timepieces are assembled by hand in Marloe’s Oxford based workshop for that extra touch of class.
Drawing inspiration from the courageous exploits of Amelia Earhart, the Aerodyne is a love letter to the golden age of flight. The genesis of this collection is as unique as the watches themselves. The concept wasn’t born in a boardroom, but from a moment of artistic fusion.
While Marloe’s designers were sketching concepts for a new aviation-inspired piece, they were listening to The Last Flight—an album by Public Service Broadcasting that chronicles Earhart’s final, fateful attempt to circumnavigate the globe. The driving rhythm of the music and the poignancy of the history sparked a vision, and the Aerodyne took flight.
Visually, the Aerodyne is a masterclass in Art Deco revival. It breaks away from the brand’s previous design language to embrace a playful yet highly legible aesthetic that feels ripped straight from a 1930s cockpit.
The numerals are distinctively Art Deco, stacked with Superluminova BG-W9 and framed in vibrant colors that pop against the textured surfaces of the dial.
We are particularly taken with the “Heart” edition, which features a vertically brushed aluminum surface. It’s framed by a polished chamfer that leads the eye to a searing hot-yellow chapter ring with crisp black printing. It’s a design that feels alive—bold, dynamic, and reminiscent of fresh paint on a racing plane.
The attention to detail extends to the handset, which is designed for instant recognition during a bumpy flight (or a bumpy commute). The tapered “winglet” hands are filled with generous lume, featuring a subtle crease that catches the light as they rotate.
A delightful touch is the gloss-painted seconds hand, which sports a striped counterweight—a direct visual nod to the spinning propellers of the era.
Despite the vintage inspiration, the construction is thoroughly modern. The case is a study in “robust elegance.” Measuring a versatile 38mm in diameter and sitting just 9.8mm thick, it is perfectly proportioned to slip under a shirt cuff.
The case is crafted by turning on a lathe, mimicking 1930s manufacturing methods to create a clean, uni-body design with a multi-step blasted finish. It feels purposeful and engineered, rather than ornamental.
Under the hood, the Aerodyne is powered by the reliable Japanese-made Miyota 9015 automatic movement. With a smooth 28,800 bph beat rate, a 40+ hour power reserve, and hacking seconds, it’s a workhorse engine that ensures your tribute to history keeps perfect modern time.
Perhaps the most impressive aspect of this collection is the value proposition. Priced at just £349, the Aerodyne offers an incredible amount of “watch for the money.” With a sapphire crystal, 100 meters of water resistance, and in-house assembly, it’s a timepiece that punches well above its weight class. For those who dream of the skies and appreciate the romance of early engineering, the Aerodyne is a first-class ticket to adventure.
