Hands-On With The Behrens Apolar Producer Michael Limited Edition

Today, I have another funky design from the Behrens team. I’ve reviewed several of the brand’s watches over the last few years. The Chinese brand always finds a way to impress me with interesting takes on time-telling while offering its watches at very reasonable prices. The Behrens Apolar Producer Michael Limited Edition watch is an interesting fusion of avant-garde design and signature Behrens looks, born from a collaboration with Producer Michael.

I often assume that most watch enthusiasts know of Behrens, but since it is a relatively young brand in the Western market, let’s have a quick recap. Established in 2012 by Mr. Lin Bingqiang, Behrens has carved a niche in the watch industry through its commitment to creating unconventional time displays and intricate, architectural mechanical modules. Over the years, Behrens has developed in-house capabilities, including CNC machining and 3D printing, enabling the production of unique components and concepts that set its watches apart. Look at some of my other reviews, and you’ll see that each watch is entirely distinct yet still “very Behrens” in nature. Notably, the Apolar model was nominated for the Best Calendar and Astronomy category at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2020.

Who on Earth is this Producer Michael chap?

Producer Michael, whose real name is Michael Blakey, is a British musician and producer known for his passion for luxury goods and the associated lifestyle that goes with them. He’s an interesting character, and back when I was still relatively new to the YouTube game, I watched many of his videos. YouTubers making watch-related content are 10 a penny these days, but he was one of the first to do it that way. He has a particular “style” to his videos, and it’s certainly not for everyone. It’s insane shows of wealth and buying expensive luxury products like they’re candy.

I’ve long graduated from that content style in my watch-collecting journey, but there’s still a certain nostalgia there. It is kind of weirdly interesting to see how these uber-rich people go about spending their cash. It’s basically faux-reality TV; we hate it, but we all still watch it occasionally. Love him or hate him, he’s not going anywhere soon. I’ll never know how he ended up working with Behrens on this limited edition. Still, the result of this collaboration is surprisingly lighthearted and kind of cool. It’s colorful, quirky, and guaranteed to be different from pretty much anything else in your collection.

Crystallized titanium?

Probably the first thing that stands out about the Apolar Producer Michael Limited Edition is its crystallized titanium dial. It’s not the most well-known material in watchmaking, but it’s one Behrens has indeed played with before in its collaboration with Konstantin Chaykin. Despite its textured appearance, the surface is perfectly smooth, offering a tactile experience that contrasts with its visual complexity. You don’t get to touch it in this instance, but it’s an interesting observation nonetheless.

The 42mm case is crafted from 316L stainless steel. The same case appears in several different models in the Behrens collection, namely my NaviGraph and the aforementioned Konstantin Chaykin collaboration. A large box-type sapphire crystal provides clarity and ensures the intricate dial architecture is visible from various angles. The watch comes with your choice of a black or white rubber strap, offering comfort and a modern touch that complements the overall design.

The dial has a lot going on (in a good way)

The dial of the Behrens Apolar is a perfect example of the brand’s ingenuity. Dominating the center is a three-dimensional rotating globe that completes a full rotation every 24 hours, serving as a dynamic AM/PM indicator. A small arrow in the Pacific Ocean indicates the current 24-hour time. Orbiting this globe is a micro moon, which follows a 28-day cycle, reflecting the lunar phases. This celestial display offers a captivating visual representation of the real relationship between the real Earth and Moon. That said, it’s a conceptual representation rather than a completely accurate one. Here, the moon rotates on a track featuring seven differently colored sections. The rainbow of colors is another touch of Producer Michael, who is known for his appreciation of bright colors. The final point of note regarding the moon track is its angle. It’s visible from the side view through the generously tall sapphire crystal.

For example, the time here is 02:35

Time is indicated through two decentralized discs positioned at the bottom of the dial — the left disc displays hour numbers and half-hour dots, while the right disc shows minutes. Two little markers point to the current time. This unconventional time-keeping approach eliminates traditional hands, providing a fresh perspective on time display. A small seconds hand sits in the center, adding to the watch’s functionality without detracting from its aesthetic harmony. In reality, the Apolar is all about aesthetics, and the time-telling is almost a secondary feature. This is absolutely not a tool watch. If you’re here looking for that kind of function, you’re in the wrong place.

A modular movement makes this affordable

The Swiss-made Sellita SW200-1 automatic movement powers the Apolar. Behrens enhances this movement with an in-house-designed mechanical module that facilitates the time-display discs and the intricate earth-moon mechanism. This combination ensures that the watch performs accurately and showcases the brand’s technical prowess in mechanical innovation. Behrens could have designed and built this movement from the ground up, but the modular approach allows the brand to offer these watches at far more affordable prices. The Sellita movement is visible through the display case back, although it’s partially obscured by Producer Michael’s signature.

Limited to 88 pieces

The Apolar Producer Michael Limited Edition is limited to 88 pieces. Each watch features Producer Michael’s signature colors, his logo on the red anodized crown, and his signature on the case back. The crown logo is very subtle, and you likely won’t see or notice the signature on the case, so if you’re not bothered by Michael’s connection to the watch, it’s easy enough to ignore and forget about it. I wouldn’t say it’s a deal-breaker here. Instead, if you like the bold, colorful design, then let that be your guiding light.

Behrens knows how to make a watch wear well

On the wrist, the Apolar offers a balanced and comfortable experience. The 42mm diameter and 50mm length make it versatile and suitable for various wrist sizes. The size may be considered “large” these days, but it’s excellent on the wrist thanks to the fitted rubber strap, which hugs the wrist snugly. The white rubber strap is my favorite option, but the black one does refine the aesthetic a little more, which may appeal to some. The domed sapphire crystal and the three-dimensional dial elements create a sense of depth, making the watch a conversation starter and a visual delight for the wearer. Whenever I wear a Behrens watch, I find that it always starts interesting conversations with non-watch folk and fellow enthusiasts alike.

Final thoughts on the Behrens Apolar Producer Michael Limited Edition

The Behrens Apolar Producer Michael Limited Edition is an impressive fusion of artistic design and mechanical sophistication. The crystallized titanium dial, innovative time display, and celestial complications offer features not often seen at the sub-€5K price point. It’s a rather fun and quirky design that, while certainly not everyone’s cup of tea, is quintessential Behrens. There are a million and one different tool watches out there, but the Apolar is unlike any of them!

The Behrens Apolar Producer Michael Limited Edition is available through Behrens Europe. It is priced at £3,745 / €4,530.95, including taxes. Note that there is some currency conversion at play there, so the price will likely change slightly depending on your shipping location and daily exchange rates.

What do you think of the Behrens Apolar Producer Michael Limited Edition or Behrens and the Apolar in general? Let me know in the comments!