Aerotec Watches is a Malaysian microbrand founded in 2016 by watch collector Terence See. Driven by a passion for horology and a deep appreciation for vintage timepieces, See established Aerotec to bridge the gap between classic design and modern watchmaking. The brand’s mission is to produce high-quality, affordable mechanical tool watches that combine unique aesthetics with precise craftsmanship. The name “Aerotec” is a fusion of “Aerodynamic” and “Technology,” reflecting the brand’s commitment to blending sleek design with contemporary watchmaking techniques. Each Aerotec timepiece is meticulously designed in-house, emphasizing simplicity, functionality, and durability. The watches are crafted to meet modern standards while drawing inspiration from the finest vintage models, offering enthusiasts a nostalgic yet contemporary experience.

Aerotec has gained recognition for its distinctive designs and commitment to quality. Notable models include the Sea Hunt 500m Diver, Ace Bronze Watch and many more. Aerotec’s dedication to quality and design has led to successful crowdfunding campaigns, allowing the brand to expand its offerings while maintaining affordability. By combining vintage inspiration with modern technology, Aerotec continues to appeal to watch enthusiasts seeking distinctive, reliable, and accessible timepieces.

Today, I’m excited to take a closer look at Aerotec’s latest update to their popular Wave Diver collection. Rather than introducing an entirely new model, the brand is unveiling a fresh range of dial colorways as part of an upcoming Kickstarter campaign. The new additions—Glacier Blue, Snow White, and Aventurine—expand the line’s visual appeal while maintaining its rugged, tool-watch identity. These new options follow the original wave of striking dial choices, including Green, Orange, and unique stone dials like Amazonite and Amethyst. Each variant showcases Aerotec’s commitment to blending vibrant aesthetics with durable design. Notably, this updated iteration features a slightly revised case design that forgoes the previously engraved wave pattern on the left flank, offering a cleaner, more understated profile.

The watch arrived in a cardboard box, housing a clam shell–style travel case with a zipper. I genuinely appreciate when brands opt for practical packaging like this—it adds value beyond the unboxing experience. The travel case is not only ideal for transporting the watch safely but also versatile enough to repurpose for carrying items like earphones, charging cables, or other small essentials. Inside the pouch, the presentation is minimal and straightforward: just the watch and a warranty card, nothing more. First impressions were very positive. I’m especially fond of brightly colored dials, which feel even more fitting as summer approaches. The watch features a super compressor–style case—styled after vintage divers, though technically not a true super compressor, as it lacks the spring-loaded caseback mechanism. That said, it certainly captures the aesthetic, and since I won’t be diving with it anytime soon, it’ll likely spend most of its life as a desk diver. Still, it’s a look I thoroughly enjoy.

The case of the Wave Diver is crafted from 316L stainless steel, offering both durability and corrosion resistance. It measures 39mm in diameter, 46mm lug-to-lug, and 13mm in thickness—dimensions that strike a great balance for a wide range of wrist sizes. In my view, it’s a perfect size, comfortably fitting wrists from small to large. Personally, I’ve grown to appreciate watches in the 36–40mm range over the past few years, and this one sits especially well on my 18cm wrist. The finishing on the case is excellent, with a predominantly satin-brushed surface that gives it a tool-watch character. The bezel stands out with a polished edge, adding just the right amount of contrast. That said, I think polished chamfers along the case edges would elevate the design even further by introducing a touch of sophistication.

On the right side of the case, you’ll find two screw-down crowns—one at 2 o’clock and another at 4 o’clock. The crown at 2 o’clock operates the inner rotating bezel and features a vintage-inspired square pattern engraving, a nice nod to classic super compressor designs. There’s also a subtle red accent between the crown and the case, which enhances the visual interest. The crown at 4 o’clock, similarly detailed with the red detail between the case and crown. The crown is used to set the time and is signed with the Aerotec logo. Both crowns are generously sized and offer excellent grip. Turning the watch over reveals an exhibition case back fitted with flat sapphire crystal. Underneath, there’s a stylish metal wave detail—an elegant reference to the “Wave Diver” name and a unique visual element that I find particularly appealing. Capping the dial is a double-domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, providing clear visibility and a vintage-inspired profile. The watch boasts a 300-meter (30 ATM) water resistance rating, making it more than capable of handling virtually any water-based activity.

My version of the Wave Diver features the Glacier Blue dial, a striking combination of light blue and silver tones. The center of the dial has a silver hue that gradually transitions to blue towards the edges, creating a subtle gradient effect. Surrounding the dial is the inner rotating bezel with clearly printed markers, adding a functional and sporty element to the overall design. One of the standout features of the dial is its unique splatter-like texture, which gives it a distinctive and eye-catching appearance. While it certainly adds character, I personally find it a touch too busy for my taste—though I can appreciate the visual appeal it offers.

The applied hour markers are polished and well-executed, with Arabic numerals positioned at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock, and the Aerotec logo placed at 12 o’clock. The handset is thoughtfully designed: the polished broad arrow hour hand echoes the shape of the Aerotec logo, while the minute hand is simpler but still polished to match. The seconds hand is a light blue shade, complementing the dial, and features a counterweight for balance. In terms of lume, the watch uses BGW9 Super-Luminova on the hands, hour markers, and the printed markers of the inner bezel. While the lume application is visually clean, its performance is a bit underwhelming—it glows nicely at first but fades after about 15 minutes. I would have liked to see stronger longevity here, especially given the dive-watch aesthetics. Overall, the dial is vibrant and well-executed, with solid legibility in most conditions. It’s a bold and modern design, though the textured pattern might not be for everyone.

The Wave Diver is powered by the Miyota 9039, a popular choice among microbrands for its slim profile, reliability, and no-date configuration—perfect for maintaining dial symmetry. As part of Miyota’s premium 9000 series, the 9039 offers solid performance at an accessible price point. It beats at a smooth 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz), providing a fluid sweep of the seconds hand that gives the watch a more refined feel compared to lower-beat movements. The movement features 24 jewels, a 42-hour power reserve, and hacking and hand-winding capabilities—essentials for a modern mechanical watch. In daily use, the 9039 has proven to be robust and dependable, with typical accuracy ranging from -10 to +30 seconds per day. My particular example has been running at around +6 seconds per day, which is very respectable and well within acceptable limits. One of the standout features of the 9039 is its thinness at just 3.9mm, allowing the Wave Diver to maintain a relatively slim profile despite its 300m water resistance. While it lacks the decoration of higher-end Swiss calibers, it’s a reliable workhorse. Overall, the Miyota 9039 is a smart and practical movement choice for the Wave Diver.

The Wave Diver is paired with a stainless steel bracelet featuring a fully brushed finish. It utilizes a three-piece link design, with each link secured by screw pins—an appreciated detail, especially for those who prefer the ease and reliability of screw-in links over the more frustrating push-pin system. This choice significantly simplifies the adjustment process and enhances user convenience. While the overall machining and finishing of the bracelet are acceptable for the price point, there’s room for improvement in terms of precision and refinement. That said, the highlight of the bracelet is undoubtedly the clasp. Aerotec appears to have invested considerable effort into the clasp design, and it shows. It features a glide-lock style micro-adjustment system, operated via a discreet internal button, allowing for on-the-fly sizing—an especially valuable feature during warmer months when wrist size fluctuates. The clasp is milled, giving it a solid and premium feel, with a noticeably higher level of finishing than the bracelet itself. It is also signed with a deeply engraved Aerotec logo, adding to its visual appeal. On the wrist, the watch wears comfortably. The bracelet is well-designed and doesn’t pull hairs, while the push-button micro-adjustment further enhances daily wearability and comfort.

The updated Aerotec Wave Diver is a compelling offering from a brand that continues to refine its identity within the microbrand landscape. With this latest release, Aerotec hasn’t reinvented the wheel, but rather, sharpened it. The introduction of new dial colorways like Glacier Blue, Snow White, and Aventurine brings fresh visual appeal to an already well-rounded tool watch, while minor design tweaks, such as the removal of the wave engraving—contribute to a cleaner, more versatile aesthetic. What stands out most is the balance Aerotec strikes between form and function. The watch delivers a thoughtfully sized 39mm case with 300 meters of water resistance, a reliable and slim Miyota 9039 movement, and excellent day-to-day comfort thanks to the well-designed bracelet and standout clasp. The vibrant dial, although perhaps divisive in texture, gives the watch a unique character that sets it apart in a crowded field.

Of course, no watch is without its compromises. The bracelet finishing could benefit from greater refinement, and the lume, while adequate, doesn’t quite meet the expectations set by the watch’s tool-oriented look. But these are relatively minor quibbles in the context of what Aerotec offers here. At its core, the Wave Diver embodies what many enthusiasts seek in a microbrand timepiece: strong vintage-inspired design, solid specifications, and a genuine sense of personality—all at a reasonable price. Whether you’re a seasoned collector or just getting into mechanical watches, the Wave Diver delivers an enjoyable and distinctive experience that punches above its weight.

Right now Wave Diver is available on Kickstarter!

• Super Early Bird is 399$
• Early Bird 429$
• The RRP in the future will be 659$