Featherlight and Wafer Suhin could still be too big, as evidenced by the famous scenes from the 1983 Monty Python film. One thing actually exploded when I first saw the ultra pale Behrens Ultra-Light 11g. Why does it look so strange and feel good? And is this a thin, light, colorful watch?
Previously, Behrens Ultra-Light 11g was available in black, white and red. There was also a green iteration “The Timeless Bamboo” Juice Community Channel Special Edition Watch, a 48 bamboo-inspired watch run. Purple is the latest colourway and is a limited edition exclusively for Blu-Ray Watches. It may be the strangest and most surprising colour, but it is also my favorite. Purple is not a colour, so it is odd in itself. That is what Isaac Newton’s theory of light proved. Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo and violet are found in the color spectrum. Purple is not found anywhere. That’s because purple is non-spectral. In other words, the term “purple” can be used to describe the shade of color between red and blue. In Fratello HQ, “purple” is the term describing this version of the Behrens Ultra-Light 11g, an edition made specifically for Blu-Ray Watches.
Get the taste of ultra-pure Behrens Ultra-Light 11g
Ultra-light 11g (BHR030) is part of the Behrens Inventor series, and also comes with Ultra-light 20g. The creation of that titanium is not exactly “poker,” but Shenzhen’s innovative Chinese watch brand wanted to push the boundaries of brightness even further. So the people there abandoned titanium in favour of SPSCF. This material that makes up the case is diamond-coated carbon fiber developed solely by Behrens. The material is not only light, but also hard thanks to the coating – an essential quality for this thin watch and this light. However, the strapless watch weighs only 11 grams, so under the coating the weight didn’t suffer much.
Purple colors in non-existent colors look sweet and soft, and it doesn’t color match what you wear, so it looks like cherry – or blackberries – on the cake, I should say. In other words, the ultra-purple, ultra-lightweight 11G looks very special when worn. Anyway, that’s how I felt. I didn’t feel the wrist watch, but my eyes certainly found it very regularly, and then my brain approved it. And so did my fellow Fratelli. Even those who have soft spots of vintage or classic designs noticed it with a look of approval.
Hu-inspired trapezoidal case
The 11G asymmetric trapezoidal purple carbon case has a span of 42mm on the longest side. Its diameter of 38mm means it’s not too wide, and with its slim 5.2mm profile it’s not thick. Another number I should mention is 3 ATM water resistance. In other words, you can do almost anything with this featherweight, except for aquatic activities. A little water or rain won’t hurt it, but you wouldn’t want to wear it for diving or water skiing, for example. Anyway, the shape is interesting. The trapezoids are inspired by the narrow tablets worn on belts during the historic tools of ancient China, Hu, Tang Dynasty, and are used by Chinese culture ministers to record notes and orders.
The Ultra-light 11g case is curved and thin like a Hu. The movement and case are integrated (more on a bit later), so the watch is thin. Because it is curved, the watch follows the shape of the wrist. The purpose of curved foam is to create a watch that fits gracefully and comfortably. Behrens passed that test in flying colour.
Like the 20G, the movement within the 11G is an internal BM02 caliber, consisting of a considerable number of titanium movement parts. I wrote “inside” but it’s not very accurate. The movement of the hand winding is a clock. The curved back of the watch also acts as the base plate for the movement, so what you see is not a very thin and delicate movement. If you look closely, you will also notice that the BM02 caliber is curved. Each connecting gear has a slight 15 degrees angle difference.
Wearing a purple Behrens Ultra-light 11g
Before I tied the Behrens Ultra-light 11g to my wrist, the watch had already achieved something important. It put a huge smile on my face and caught my attention. It looks like a toy, but I only have good memories of the toys. We must admit that carbon-based SPSCF materials feel they can be used to create toys, but they don’t feel cheap or fragile. It takes a little time to get used to it.
It makes you feel like you’re wearing something special on your wrist. The combination of color and brightness does that just like the face of a watch. Under curved sapphire crystal, the watch/movement with its skeletonized gear train bridge appears in all its delicate mechanical glory.
Reading time takes a little time to get used to, just like wearing a watch. This clock shows the time that is retrograde in the lower left and the time that is retrograde in the lower right. Maybe it’s difficult to focus on the timekeeping feature with all these exposed gear. As for those gears, they all received a special clear coating for durability. To determine when to replenish the movement’s 38-hour power reserve, look at the top left corner where the power reserve indicator is located. Three red hands providing useful information are neat little sprinkles of extra colours on an already vibrant clock.
Final Thoughts on Behrens Ultra-Light 11g
Two questions need to be answered. First of all, did the ultra-lightweight and super-bright 11g convince me that it’s a serious watch? Secondly, would you pay USD 11,800 for a watch like this? The first question is very easy to answer. Yes, the Behrens Ultra-Light 11g is a very serious watch. The design, concept, structure and execution are excellent. Behrens has created a watch that is engaging, fun and technically appealing. At the same time, you can enjoy bold and original designs.
One of the lightest mechanical watches in the world, the 11,800 US price tag is not too heavy. Does this mean that Behrens Ultra-Light 11g is “poor man” Richard Mill? Now, based on weight, the RM27-01, the first watch built for tennis star Rafael Nadal, is the lightest Richard Mill, the RM27-01, has nothing to do with Behrens. Why pay hundreds of thousands of dollars for a “large” 18.3 grams-weight watch?
We know that gorgeous watches are based not only on cold numbers, but also on looks, originality and technical capabilities. The ultra-lightweight 11G is a watch worthy of respect. This very purple, very light, very thin Behrens needs an open mind to appreciate it, but you can promise that the watch will reward you when you open it. First of all, it brings a big smile on your face, and in my book, it’s a great start. Available only from Blue Lake Watches, Behren’s official EU dealer.
