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The RALF TECH Académie Aero is the new special edition of RALF TECH’s homage to classic watches from the 1950s and 60s. Strictly limited, the Académie is given a pilot’s dial. Find out whether RALF TECHS’ foray into the cockpit is a success in this watch review…
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The Académie gets the flying licence
The RALF TECH Académie Aero and Black Aero just don’t want to fit in – do they? The original Académie is already a bird of paradise in the collection of the French diving watch specialist RALF TECH. Customers of the professional diver’s watches are usually military commandos who use the French watches on special operations. The Académie, on the other hand, is a fair-weather watch to say the least. The RALF TECH Académie Automatic Manufacture First Edition proves that such a three-hand dress watch with the genes of a high-tech diver’s watch is not necessarily a bad combination. You can find all Académie models in my shop.
There you will also find the new RALF TECH Académie Aero, which is available in two versions and limited to 100 pieces each. In addition to the stainless steel model, a reference with a black, PVD-coated case is also available. The highlight is its pilot dials, which are visually inspired by the look of classic pilot’s watches. Large, Arabic indices with excellent legibility are accentuated by scales reminiscent of cockpit instruments.
The presentation is typical RALF-TECH at a top level: flight altitude 10,000, to stay with the theme for once. Each watch is supplied with a second strap and tools for changing the strap in an elegant fabric case. I was able to scrutinise both references in this watch review – the RALF TECH Académie Aero and the Black Aero.
A question of details: what distinguishes the cases of the Académie Aero and Black Aero
The 41 millimetre diameter cases of the RALF TECH Académie Aero and Black Aero are made from 316L stainless steel. The eye-catching feature of the Académie Black Aero is its black case, which has a PVD coating. This extremely thin yet hard coating covers the entire case and makes it more resistant. In other words, it prolongs the life of the watch. What’s more, the finish looks incredibly high-quality and sporty in my eyes. Both models are characterised by their matt finish, which is typical of pilot’s watches. This emphasises the sporty character of a tool watch.
You will find the serial number of your watch on the screw-down case back. The cases of the RALF TECH Académie Aero and Black Aero are water-resistant to a depth of 200 metres. This means they easily outperform most pilot’s watches and could theoretically even compete with a diver’s watch.
The glass box sapphire crystal rises above the bezel with a strong character. This design feature is rarely seen in the watch world. I really like how high-quality the watch glass looks. For a pilot, the readability of the dial in the cockpit is essential. Reflections must not get in the way. That’s why RALF TECH has given the watch glass an anti-reflective coating on both sides. Even though, as a pilot’s watch enthusiast, I have neither a pilot’s licence nor my own aircraft, I have come to appreciate the anti-reflective coating and the perfect view of the dial on my watches over the years. I can’t and won’t do without them in everyday life!
The RALF TECH Académie Aero and Black Aero are manufactured in France.
Robust and solid: the automatic movement of the Académie
The Ralf Tech Académie Automatic Manufacture First Edition was the first Académie to be powered not by a Seiko NH35, but by an automatic calibre developed in-house in collaboration with Pequinet. However, the innovative movement called RTM001 remains reserved for the special edition model for the time being. The RALF TECH Académie Aero and Aero Black still feature the Seiko NH35, which the French manufacturer refines during production and renames the RTA003. Over the years, the Seiko NH35 has proven to be a reliable and robust automatic movement that delivers strong performance in a wide range of applications.
As it has been produced millions of times, it is highly likely that your trusted watchmaker will be able to repair and maintain it without any problems. And the costs that RALF TECH saves when purchasing the inexpensive movement are channelled into other components such as the material quality of the case.
So there are good reasons to opt for the long-running favourite from Japan. The power reserve of the calibre is 40 hours when fully wound.
Dials and bracelets of the RALF TECH Académie Aero and Black Aero
RALF TECH has given the dial a not exactly frugal redesign. The designs of the two pilot’s watches are now reminiscent of the measuring instruments in an aeroplane cockpit. A nice detail: instead of just varying between red and yellow accent colours on a black dial, RALF TECH has designed the two watches very independently, so that they are clearly distinguishable from each other. The displays have no direct function that could be used in the cockpit (such as a tachymeter). Instead, they are intended to convey that ‘special feeling’. The new pilot design of the Académie is timeless, easy to read, but neither forced retro nor too modern. To improve legibility in the dark, the hands are coated with BGW9 SuperLuminova luminous material.
RALF TECH gives us the choice of wearing the RALF TECH Académie Aero with a classic black calfskin strap or a sporty black silicone Tropic strap. The matching tool for changing the strap is included in the high-quality case. I like how stringently RALF TECH implements the design of the respective watch in the leather strap, which is why I would prefer the Tropic strap for everyday wear. While the leather strap of the RALF TECH Académie Aero has red stitching to match the dial, the dial of the Black Aero has yellow stitching and a black, PVD-coated buckle.
My final conclusion on the RALF TECH Académie Aero and Black Aero
The Académie is predestined for use in the cockpit. I already liked the design of the charming three-hand watch in the original. However, I am now of the opinion that the implementation of the aviator look (easy-to-read numerals, matt dial, etc.) takes RALF TECH’s classic automatic watch to the next level. The RALF TECH Académie Aero and Black Aero are my favourite models so far. Thematically, they also succeed in building a bridge to RALF TECH’s brand essence. The description of a robust watch that defies adverse conditions with a focus on functionality applies to all RALF TECH watches.
At the same time, the Académie remains simple. No conversion to a chronograph, no forced innovations. Just high-quality materials and a simple yet exciting design. A good watch for everyday use can be so simple.
Prices and availability
It is already a tradition that RALF TECH repeatedly releases special models of its Académie, which are only available in small quantities and eventually sell out before the next special model comes onto the market. As already reported above, the RALF TECH Académie Aero and Black Aero are strictly limited to 100 pieces each. In my shop, you have the opportunity to purchase one (or two) of the 200 watches in total. While the RALF TECH Académie Aero costs 1,800.00 euros, the price of the Black Aero with PVD-coated case is 2,000.00 euros.
Below you will find all the important links to both watches, the entire RALF TECH collection in my shop and other exciting tests on watches from the French brand.
More about RALF TECH and the Académie Aero and Black Aero
Click here for the Académie Aero in my shop
The Black Aero with PVD coating in my shop
All Académie models in my shop
Even more RALF TECH watch reviews in my blog
Pilot’s watch reviews in my blog
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