In the watch world, enthusiasts have long revered Swiss, German, and Japanese watchmakers for their exceptional craftsmanship. However, there’s an underdog country that many overlook due to preconceived notions about quality: China.
The Ciga Design Blue Planet watch, which beat out several renowned Swiss watches for the prestigious GPHG in 2021, proves that Chinese watchmaking is just getting started.
In this Ciga watch review, I’ll share my experiences with this remarkable timepiece.
Key Takeaways
- China is an underdog country in watchmaking that many overlook due to preconceived notions about quality, but the Ciga Design Blue Planet watch proves that Chinese watchmaking is worth paying attention to.
- Ciga Design, founded by one of China’s top industrial designers, became the first Chinese brand to win the prestigious “Challenge” category at the GPHG in 2021, marking a significant milestone in horological history.
- The Blue Planet’s unboxing experience is unique and immersive, with a book explaining the watch’s environmental philosophy and a presentation that showcases the watch’s circular case design.
- Despite its 46mm size, the Blue Planet’s titanium case wears smaller due to its lugless design, and the soft, supple rubber strap is comfortable right out of the box.
- The Blue Planet’s dial features intricate micro-carvings of Earth’s landforms, and its unconventional time-telling mechanism encourages the wearer to slow down and appreciate the watch.
- The Ciga Design Blue Planet is a testament to the growing prominence of Chinese watchmaking. It offers an avant-garde design, historical significance, and an affordable price point for watch collectors seeking something unique.
- Innovative and unconventional design that showcases modern mechanical art
- Historical significance as the first Chinese watch to win the GPHG “Challenge” category
- Comfortable and well-designed titanium case and rubber strap
- Intricate micro-carvings on the dial depicting Earth’s landforms
- Unique time-telling mechanism that encourages mindfulness and appreciation
- Affordable price point for a statement piece with high-end horology features
- The 46mm case size may be too large for some wrists, despite wearing smaller due to its lugless design
- The unconventional time-telling mechanism may take some getting used to and might not be suitable for those who prefer quick time-checking
- The avant-garde design may not appeal to everyone’s taste, especially those who prefer more traditional watch styles
- As a relatively new brand, Ciga Design may not have the same brand recognition or heritage as established Swiss, German, or Japanese watchmakers
- The watch’s unique design may limit its versatility and ability to match with certain outfits or occasions
Who is Ciga Design?
Ciga Design was founded in 2016 by Zhang Jianmin, one of China’s top industrial designers. As a young Chinese designer watch brand, their mission is to redefine watchmaking with modern mechanical art, which is evident throughout the Blue Planet.
In 2021, Ciga Design made history by becoming the first Chinese brand to win the “Challenge” category at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), the most prestigious award in watchmaking (like the Oscars for watches).
Unboxing and First Impressions
When a curious package from Ciga Design arrived at my doorstep, I initially thought it might be a coffee table book I had ordered. To my surprise, it was the Blue Planet watch. The unboxing experience was truly unique, featuring a book that explains the watch’s environmental philosophy, which aligns with its overall theme. The presentation is akin to a gourmet meal, with the watch as the final “dessert.” I was particularly impressed by how the strap was detached, allowing the circular case design to take center stage.
Case and Strap Impressions
Despite its 46mm size, the Blue Planet’s titanium case wears smaller due to its lugless design. I compared it to my Seiko Solar Tuna, also 46mm, and found that the Blue Planet sits comfortably on my 7.5-inch wrist. The subtle brushing on the case will help hide hairline scratches over time. I was pleasantly surprised by the soft, supple rubber strap, which I was initially worried about, but it felt comfortable right out of the box.
Dial and Timekeeping
The Blue Planet’s dial is a true work of art, featuring intricate micro-carvings of Earth’s landforms. The time-telling mechanism is unconventional but clever.
A navigation marker moves around the outer ring to indicate the hour, while the inner ring rotates to track the minutes. In the image below, the time reads 10:10. It’s unconventional and takes some getting used to, but that’s exactly the point – like a film camera, it invites you to slow down and savor the experience.
Video Review
Final Thoughts
The Ciga Design Blue Planet is a testament to the growing prominence of Chinese watchmaking. Its avant-garde design, historical significance, and affordable price point make it an attractive option for watch collectors seeking something unique. This Ciga Design watch review has certainly piqued my interest in Chinese microbrands, and I’m eager to see how they continue to innovate and challenge the status quo.
Whether you’re drawn to the Blue Planet’s design or intrigued by its place in horological history, there’s no denying that Ciga Design is helping to redefine the future of watchmaking.
