Watch Review: CIGA Design Series X Gorilla

Table Of Content

• This Microbrand GMT Watch Gives Grand Seiko Vibes for Less Than $1,000
• The Complete Guide to Rolex Watches: Every Model for Sale in 2024
• CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series C Skeleton
• Review Of The CIGA Design Series Z Skeletonized Mechanical Watch
• The Art Of Movement
• Expert Watch Reviewers Love CIGA‘s Unique Designs
• Watch Review: CIGA Design Series X Gorilla

It is worth noting, however, that this lume application is on the weaker side, producing only a dim green glow for a short period. Given that other brands at this price point, especially Seiko, are capable of brilliant lume work, it’s worth noting as a potential shortcoming. On a related note, like most skeleton designs, the Series X Gorilla can be challenging to read at a glance, but the contrasting polished handset against the black skeleton dial does alleviate this issue somewhat. With a rounded square skeleton case design measuring in at 44mm-wide, there’s no denying the CIGA Design Series X Gorilla packs some serious presence on the wrist.

This Microbrand GMT Watch Gives Grand Seiko Vibes for Less Than $1,000

He was unable to attend the Grand Prix in person due to COVID-19 travel restrictions that existed at the time between China and Switzerland. In fact, I wouldn't speak with him until several months later, when reporting on a small feature on Zhang and CIGA Design that appeared in HODINKEE Magazine, Volume 10. With the help of a translator, we spoke over Zoom for about an hour, which is when I started to unpack and understand just how impactful the recognition by the GPHG has been for Zhang and his company. Activity book inspired by the behind-the-scenes work of Pixar's animators. Projects invite discoveries about color, shape, character design, and scene setting—and how all of these interact to tell a visual story.

The Complete Guide to Rolex Watches: Every Model for Sale in 2024

What he promises, however, is that his watches will always remain approachable in price. The titanium Blue Planet model we photographed for this article, for example, retails for $1,099 USD, while the stainless steel option is priced at just $899 USD. I was surprised how easily the watch wore while running errands in New York – it's not like I ever forgot it was on my wrist, but it was comfortable.

CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series C Skeleton

Art Direction and packaging design for classical soprano Julia Bullock’s debut album, Walking In The Dark. So far, I’ve spent the most time with the silicone option as I find it fits the look of the watch the best. Nevertheless, I did put the leather strap on for a couple of the images and the watch still looked good, it’s just not my preferred option. The brand has taken care to finish the movement and dial to a very high standard. Clearly, the folks at CIGA Design understood the face of this watch was going to be admired from up close and it needed to be free of imperfections. Considering the price point, this is an even more impressive feat.

Review Of The CIGA Design Series Z Skeletonized Mechanical Watch

Consisting of a 3D globe that uses a unique mechanism for telling the time with a single “hand” (in this case, the mariner symbol), CIGA Design’s Blue Planet also boasted a titanium construction and overall minimalist case design. Perhaps most importantly, and directly in line with the brand’s goal of appealing to younger collectors with limited budgets, CIGA Design’s watches provide true value with price points starting around $300. The higher prices are reserved for more exotic metals like titanium or surface coatings, and even then, they usually only differ from the base stainless steel models by ~$100. As the name implies, CIGADesign does indeed focus intensely on the design of their timepieces, producing what they describe as modern mechanical art. As we’ll cover in this overview of the brand, their efforts have not gone unnoticed, and CIGA Design watches have already gained acclaim at an international level. I was sitting in a crowded amphitheater in the heart of Geneva when the well-heeled Swiss crowd suddenly started to murmur.

CIGA Owners Overwhelmingly Recommend The Brand

This is a weird but captivating watch — one that’s chock full of talking points if nothing else. It might not be for everyone but…then again, it may be just right for you. The CIGA Design Blue Planet dial is one of, if not the most unique dial I’ve seen in a watch that costs less than $1500. And once you get used to its unique layout and how the time is displayed, it’s an incredibly fresh new way to get excited about the future of the company. More concretely, enthusiasts anticipate the launch of CIGA‘s own Swiss-made mechanical chronograph movements costing thousands anytime. Jianming confirms working prototypes are already functioning flawlessly.

The Art Of Movement

Zhang studied industrial design in the 1980s at what is now the Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, before beginning his career as a graphic designer. In the early 1990s, he moved to Shenzhen, the sixth-most populous city in China, and started working as a designer of guidance systems, similar to what you might see at an airport, as well as on civic architecture projects. Prior to launching CIGA Design in 2012, Zhang had spent nearly 30 years working in various fields of design, with barely a passing interest in what people wore on their wrists. Photographs by Andrew Macpherson, spanning album and publicity shoots, live concert photos and behind-the-scenes candids.

Expert Watch Reviewers Love CIGA‘s Unique Designs

In fact, they proudly tout that CIGA Design watches are made in China. Created in 2001, the GPHG prizes watches from the biggest names in the business, including Patek Philippe, MB&F, Audemars Piguet, Bvlgari & more. Yet, in 2018, the GPHG created a new category to highlight watches from more value-oriented brands.

CIGA Design's new bio-ceramic watch is full of mystical energy Stuff - Stuff

CIGA Design's new bio-ceramic watch is full of mystical energy Stuff.

Posted: Fri, 15 Dec 2023 08:00:00 GMT [source]

The sapphire crystal’s curve blends perfectly into that of the rounded (Ikepod-like) and brushed case. That case is — despite its 46mm diameter — surprisingly comfortable, thanks to its lugless design, soft silicon strap and (in the case of the tested model) lightweight titanium construction. This kind of approach to creating something new, that nobody has ever done before is exactly the kind of fresh air I feel the industry needs. And since the Blue Planet is a GPHG winner, I’m apparently not alone in my thinking. I’m thrilled to see such innovation, and with the amount of attention to detail and ergonomics, the Blue Planet has, I really didn’t find any real fault.

I never thought I’d be sitting here saying that this is one of the most fun and interesting 46mm watches I’ve ever worn and will continue to wear in the future. As an active collector wearing watches cycling, diving and at formal events, I need timepieces to take some scratches in stride. Watch collectors know subtle dial textures, case shapes and hand styles separate the sublime from mundane. We relish bold risks like skeletonized dials alongside classics done to perfection.

It isn’t often that one finds a truly bespoke full skeleton dial at an entry-level price point, but the CIGA Design Series X Gorilla delivers a dynamically high-end look here. The Series X nomenclature comes from the central X-shaped skeleton dial, which also functions as an ornate movement bridge. Purple is a rare color in modern watchmaking, and when coupled with the avant-garde style of the Series X Gorilla it makes for a truly one-of-a-kind look in this market segment.

Often, box sets are experienced once and then stored away forever (if not lost). Perhaps this one will fare the same fate, yet, I was quite pleased with this presentation as it highlighted the brand’s effort input, not just on the watch but the product as a whole. One of the first surprising aspects of the Series Z watch by CIGA Design is the box set that accompanies the watch and which you interact with before ever laying eyes on the timepiece. It’s encouraging to see original design and high quality in homegrown Chinese watches, and more so for it to be reaching a global audience. This, along with the Ciga Blue Planet’s simply striking design and execution, makes it a watch worth taking note of — and a conversation piece should you pick one up. While I wouldn’t wear it every day, it’s certainly an object I can appreciate —and even wear from time to time.

Among its key requirements, this new Challenge Watch category only considers entries whose retail price is below $3,500. A total of 8 designers from 8 different countries comprise the design team, including Jianmin, who himself was named as one of the top 10 industrial designers in China in 2016. To date, the brainchildren of this experienced design team have earned 17 international design awards, including a coveted GPHG award in 2021 for their Blue Planet Watch.

Now that the design language and movement have been created, the hand-slash-indicator system is ready to be transformed again and again. Instead of featuring the Earth, he says, the watch can include "a moon, or a mobile phone; it can really be anything." Enter Sea-Gull, the Tianjin-based producer of mass-market mechanical wristwatches, who assisted in the development and execution of the Blue Planet's exclusive movement, which features a proprietary timekeeping system. Art direction, packaging design, custom typography and photo illustration for Selena Gomez's first five studio albums. Art direction and design for CD and LP packaging, singles, lyric videos and tour merchandise. Art direction, illustration and packaging design for the band's second album, 2.

Purpose is always a good look, in my opinion, and these elements could (theoretically) also be integrated in an attractive way (using color, perhaps). I especially like that the map focuses on the Eastern hemisphere, showing pride in its origin rather than necessarily trying to cater to Western consumers. It’s interesting to see an original Chinese perspective in watches — and especially one that receives international attention, not to mention being honored by the notoriously conservative Swiss. The Ciga Blue Planet might have gotten many watch fans’ attention for those reasons, but it also deserves a closer look for its design, quality, execution and details. Another design element Ciga got right is pairing this visual centerpiece with an otherwise minimal design.

If you’re looking to buy fresh cigars online at the most competitive price, with fast shipping, look no further! Check out our blog to learn about the latest trends in the tobacco world, how to take your cigar hobby to the next level, or learn about the anatomy of a stogie. As mentioned previously, these are all components that tend to not be decorated as a cost-saving measure. Yet, this ST2553JK has all of its screws and gears mirror-polished, edges chamfered, and surfaces finished. For those with an interest in the mechanical aspect of timepieces, this movement offers not only a clear view into the inner workings but also one which has been made more satisfactory by a well-finished caliber. The main presentation box, or rather “booklet”, is delivered in a cardboard box.