In the world of horology, luxury watches often come with eye-watering price tags. But Behrens, a trailblazing independent watchmaker, proves that high-end craftsmanship, mechanical artistry and avant-garde design don’t require a six-figure budget.
For collectors and enthusiasts seeking luxury watches at affordable prices, we’ve curated a list of 10 exceptional Behrens timepieces under $5,000 (USD)—each blending mechanical brilliance, premium materials, and unmatched originality.
1. Rotary Watch
Price: $4,890 – $5,700
A mechanical tribute to the Wankel “rotary” engine, the Rotary Watch features a unique dual-rotor dial that displays hours and minutes with two triangular rotors.
The design earned it nominations at major watch competitions, reflecting its blend of mechanical ingenuity and luxury appeal.
The 42mm stainless steel case (316L) is topped with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, ensuring durability. This Inventor-series watch looks especially striking in its black or grey colorways, marrying engineering inspiration with refined materials.
2. Da Vinci Code
Price: $3,700 – $,4380
Inspired by Da Vinci’s code and Gothic architecture, the Da Vinci Code Watch hides its numerals like a puzzle—only revealing what’s needed to tell time. Its dial borrows motifs from Notre Dame’s stained-glass rose windows and Roman columns, with hollowed-out sections for a dramatic, layered look.
Inside the 316L steel case (42mm) beats a precise Sellita SW200 automatic movement, and the watch is fitted with a domed sapphire crystal. This orange-accented timepiece delivers an innovative design and practical luminosity (luminous-coated sapphire discs) for easy reading in any light.
3. Orion One
Price: $3,600
The avant-garde Orion One showcases Behrens’ passion for mechanical art. Its flagship feature is a circular-axis time display driven by 30+ precision components, creating a striking dial where hours and minutes sweep along a spinning ring.
The wide, unconventional case (44×38mm) and complex inner workings speak to its unique design and professionalism as a true luxury piece. A robust 316L stainless steel case and quick-release strap (fluoroelastomer) are complemented by a sapphire-crystal telescope-style date window. In short, Orion One is a bold “mechanical art” watch that remains under $5,000 thanks to its efficient Sellita base movement and masterful design.
4. Apolar
Price: $3,360 – $3,420
Apolar draws inspiration from the Earth and Moon orbit, featuring a 3D Earth-Moon display at 12 o’clock that shows real-time celestial movement. This dual-dial watch has separate hour and minute subdials at 7 and 5 o’clock, plus a rotating “Earth” indicator for 24-hour time.
The steel case (316L, 42mm) houses a Sellita SW200 caliber, and like its siblings, it’s protected by sapphire crystal. The Apolar’s sky-blue dial, which earned a Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève nomination, is both an astronomical statement piece and an affordable luxury thanks to its modest price.
5. Navigraph Watch
Price: $2,680
Combining business-casual versatility with dual-time functionality, the Navigraph’s skeletonized dial is truly eye-catching. Four mother-of-pearl subdials in a cross pattern display dual time zones, with a GMT module at 12 o’clock for quick reference.
The 42mm stainless case and bracelet are polished 316L steel, and the crystal is sapphire, keeping reflections to a minimum. This affordable luxury watch wears elegantly on an alligator leather strap or steel band. In essence, the Navigraph is a work-traveler’s timepiece with a unique skeleton design that clearly shows the time in two regions simultaneously.
6. Constell Watch
Price: $2,560 – $2,650
Inspired by the Chinese “Twenty-Eight Constellations,” this moon-phase watch is a space-themed standout. The Constell’s 42mm case (316L with black coating) frames three suspended, three-dimensional discs above a starry sky dial, one of which is a precise moon-phase indicator. The hour and minute hands resemble lunar craters, adding depth, and a 24-hour subdial improves reading accuracy.
True to luxury form, the Constell includes a synodic month moon-phase system (59-tooth wheel, 29.5-day cycle) and Super-LumiNova on its hands and markers. With a sapphire crystal and either a fluoroelastomer or alligator strap, this watch brings celestial style at an under-$3,000 price point.
7. Interstellar Travel
Price: $2,138 – $2,990
This 42mm wristwatch embodies a “cyberpunk” space vibe: its mechanical frame moves like a spaceship orbiting Earth. The hour and minute indicators sit at opposite ends of a floating metal bar; the entire bar orbits while a sapphire crystal disc rotates to point out time through small windows.
A gradient dial (available in black, blue, green) and luminescent details underscore the futuristic design. Despite its unique mechanics and sculptural sapphire crystal display, the Interstellar Travel Watch remains surprisingly affordable (starting around $2,100) thanks to its Miyota-based movement and efficient construction. It’s a great example of luxury watchmaking under $5000 with a fun, space-age twist.
Shop Interstellar Travel Watch
8. Starship x China Rocket
Price: $2,380
A special limited-edition titanium watch (Grade 5 titanium case) celebrating China’s Jielong-3 rocket, this 42mm Starship-II model blends aerospace elements with Swiss movement. Its central dial is raised into a curved ring where two skeleton hands (one with the Chinese rocket logo) sweep around.
The look is meant to mimic a running reactor or starship engine when glowing in the dark. Notably, the case side bears a nameplate crafted from actual rocket debris. With 10 BAR water resistance, a sapphire crystal, and a Miyota BA01 movement for hours/minutes, it’s a surprisingly under-$2,500 luxury watch that highlights precision and heritage in titanium.
Shop Starship-II x China Rocket Watch
9. Starship-II Watch
Price: $1,920
The non-limited Starship-II (42mm, steel case) carries over the space-inspired aesthetic at a very accessible price (~$1,920). Its dial has a raised inner ring and slender hollow hands, creating a “reactor” effect in low light thanks to bold Super-LumiNova. Like its China Rocket sibling, it uses a Miyota automatic movement and is topped with a sapphire crystal.
On the case back, a white-dolphin motif is engraved as a nod to conservation. Available in vibrant colors (Amber, Sunny Blue, etc.) with a fluoroelastomer strap, this fun, bold design watch proves you can have luxury styling under $2000.
10. Behrens Star Trek Watch
Price: $1,395
Inspired by space and starship portholes, the Star Trek Watch packs multiple functions into a clean 42mm steel case.
Its dial mimics an Earth/starship motif and displays the date, month, week, and even a 24-hour “earth” indicator around a small globe at 6 o’clock. A power reserve gauge sits at 12, and a sapphire crystal dome tops it all.
Despite the complexity, the Star Trek remains an affordable luxury watch at roughly $1,395. It uses a Miyota 9015 movement and pairs a sapphire crystal with an alligator leather strap for a premium feel. This makes it a practical everyday timepiece loaded with character.
Conclusion:
Each of these Behrens models offers luxury and creativity under $5000, using quality materials like 316L steel or titanium, and sapphire crystals for scratch resistance. Whether you lean toward mechanical innovation (Rotary, Orion One), celestial themes (Apolar, Constell), or space-inspired flair (Interstellar, Starship), there’s a Behrens watch here to match your style and budget. These watches exemplify how Behrens blends mechanical artistry with accessible pricing – truly making high-end luxury watchmaking more attainable.