Apollo Regulator

We’ve had a large influx of affordable watches hit our site as of late (including the INITIAL Power Reserve from Charlie Watch, which you find right here), and while many of them share mechanical similarities, what we haven’t featured is a regulator-based timepiece. So here it is: the Apollo Regulator. The regulator function is one of the most revered and respected in the world of haute horlogerie, so for a micro-watchmaking brand to create a very affordable timepiece with the very specific look of a regulator complication, it obviously caught our eye.

The Apollo Regulator sits at 38mm wide and 12.75mm high, with thanks to its pebble-like high domed crystal. The structure of the case is funky and very chic, something that seems to be amiss with many of today’s more inexpensive timepieces. Its design is unique and very much opposing the generic look of things, and it’s definitely one we here at Haulogerie enjoy. The bubble look of the case of course will not be to everyone’s liking, but it’s a very retro feel that gives the Apollo another way to differentiate itself from the crowd.

[shortcodeGalleryPost images=”1273,1305,1268,1264,1283″]

The dial itself is legible, expansive and really quite wonderful to look at. The separation of the functions (as per the standard regulator spread) takes a bit of time to get used to, especially if you’re used to looking at the centre stack directly. The addition of the date window at 2 o’clock ensures that this piece’s wearability on a day to day basis is pushed further up the spectrum.

The Apollo Regulator is powered by the Miyota 8219, an automatic calibre that’s inexpensive to produce, and thus inexpensive to service. Should the time come where the mechanism requires some attention, rest assured that your local watchmaker should be able to handle it.

It isn’t the most extravagant movement, but it definitely is the most appropriate. Typical regulator movements cost thousands and thousands of dollars, so for the price-conscious aficionado, the Miyota 8219 is the most economical way of appreciating this traditional calibre.

Like I said, we get absolutely inundated with the same old day in day out here at Haulogerie. Our email is constantly bombarded with requests to review and feature timepieces that all kind of look the same. So in saying that, it’s like a breath of fresh air when we get to see a company really taking some initiative to create something different and interesting.

[ht_video_link video_link=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnErwhf3Nd8″ width_video=”100%” height_video=”400px” thumbnail=”1275″]
Apollo-Space-Inspired-Regulator-Watches-06

 It’s not the most decorated, the best finished or the most complicated timepiece, but what the Apollo Regulator lacks in prestige, it makes up for in good old horological fun tenfold. Very impressed.

Ratings:
Movement: 2/5
Aesthetics: 3/5
Wearability: 3/5
Affordability: 5/5

The Apollo Regulator is priced from $199 as an early bird special and is available right here.

Leave a Reply

You may also like these