Ciga Watch Evaluate: A Nearer Take a look at the Way forward for Chinese language Watchmaking

Within the watch world, fanatics have lengthy revered Swiss, German, and Japanese watchmakers for his or her distinctive craftsmanship. Nonetheless, there’s an underdog nation that many overlook resulting from preconceived notions about high quality: China.

The Ciga Design Blue Planet watch, which beat out a number of famend Swiss watches for the distinguished GPHG in 2021, proves that Chinese language watchmaking is simply getting began.

On this Ciga watch assessment, I’ll share my experiences with this exceptional timepiece.

Clicky Bezel

Key Takeaways

China is an underdog nation in watchmaking that many overlook resulting from preconceived notions about high quality, however the Ciga Design Blue Planet watch proves that Chinese language watchmaking is value being attentive to.
Ciga Design, based by one in every of China’s prime industrial designers, turned the primary Chinese language model to win the distinguished “Problem” class on the GPHG in 2021, marking a major milestone in horological historical past.
The Blue Planet’s unboxing expertise is exclusive and immersive, with a e-book explaining the watch’s environmental philosophy and a presentation that showcases the watch’s round case design.
Regardless of its 46mm dimension, the Blue Planet’s titanium case wears smaller resulting from its lugless design, and the smooth, supple rubber strap is comfy proper out of the field.
The Blue Planet’s dial options intricate micro-carvings of Earth’s landforms, and its unconventional time-telling mechanism encourages the wearer to decelerate and admire the watch.
The Ciga Design Blue Planet is a testomony to the rising prominence of Chinese language watchmaking. It presents an avant-garde design, historic significance, and an inexpensive worth level for watch collectors in search of one thing distinctive.

Execs

Progressive and unconventional design that showcases trendy mechanical artwork
Historic significance as the primary Chinese language watch to win the GPHG “Problem” class
Snug and well-designed titanium case and rubber strap
Intricate micro-carvings on the dial depicting Earth’s landforms
Distinctive time-telling mechanism that encourages mindfulness and appreciation
Inexpensive worth level for a press release piece with high-end horology options

Cons

The 46mm case dimension could also be too massive for some wrists, regardless of sporting smaller resulting from its lugless design
The unconventional time-telling mechanism could take some getting used to and won’t be appropriate for many who choose fast time-checking
The avant-garde design could not attraction to everybody’s style, particularly those that choose extra conventional watch kinds
As a comparatively new model, Ciga Design could not have the identical model recognition or heritage as established Swiss, German, or Japanese watchmakers
The watch’s distinctive design could restrict its versatility and talent to match with sure outfits or events

Who’s Ciga Design?

Ciga Design was based in 2016 by Zhang Jianmin, one in every of China’s prime industrial designers. As a younger Chinese language designer watch model, their mission is to redefine watchmaking with trendy mechanical artwork, which is clear all through the Blue Planet.

In 2021, Ciga Design made historical past by changing into the primary Chinese language model to win the “Problem” class on the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), essentially the most prestigious award in watchmaking (just like the Oscars for watches).

Close Up Ciga Watch Review — Clicky Bezel

Unboxing and First Impressions

When a curious bundle from Ciga Design arrived at my doorstep, I initially thought it is perhaps a espresso desk e-book I had ordered. To my shock, it was the Blue Planet watch. The unboxing expertise was actually distinctive, that includes a e-book that explains the watch’s environmental philosophy, which aligns with its total theme. The presentation is akin to a gourmand meal, with the watch as the ultimate “dessert.” I used to be notably impressed by how the strap was indifferent, permitting the round case design to take middle stage.

Unboxing Ciga Watch Review — Clicky Bezel

Case and Strap Impressions

Regardless of its 46mm dimension, the Blue Planet’s titanium case wears smaller resulting from its lugless design. I in contrast it to my Seiko Photo voltaic Tuna, additionally 46mm, and located that the Blue Planet sits comfortably on my 7.5-inch wrist. The delicate brushing on the case will assist disguise hairline scratches over time. I used to be pleasantly stunned by the smooth, supple rubber strap, which I used to be initially apprehensive about, nevertheless it felt comfy proper out of the field.

Dial and Timekeeping

The Blue Planet’s dial is a real murals, that includes intricate micro-carvings of Earth’s landforms. The time-telling mechanism is unconventional however intelligent.

A navigation marker strikes across the outer ring to point the hour, whereas the interior ring rotates to trace the minutes. Within the picture beneath, the time reads 10:10. It’s unconventional and takes some getting used to, however that’s precisely the purpose – like a movie digicam, it invitations you to decelerate and savor the expertise.

10_10 time Ciga Watch Review — Clicky Bezel

Video Evaluate

Last Ideas

The Ciga Design Blue Planet is a testomony to the rising prominence of Chinese language watchmaking. Its avant-garde design, historic significance, and inexpensive worth level make it a gorgeous choice for watch collectors in search of one thing distinctive. This Ciga Design watch assessment has actually piqued my curiosity in Chinese language microbrands, and I’m desperate to see how they proceed to innovate and problem the established order.

Whether or not you’re drawn to the Blue Planet’s design or intrigued by its place in horological historical past, there’s no denying that Ciga Design helps to redefine the way forward for watchmaking.

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