Within the watch world, fans have lengthy revered Swiss, German, and Japanese watchmakers for his or her distinctive craftsmanship. Nonetheless, there’s an underdog nation that many overlook because of 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.
Key Takeaways
China is an underdog nation in watchmaking that many overlook because of preconceived notions about high quality, however the Ciga Design Blue Planet watch proves that Chinese language watchmaking is value listening to. Ciga Design, based by certainly one 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 guide 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 because of its lugless design, and the comfortable, supple rubber strap is snug 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 recognize the watch. The Ciga Design Blue Planet is a testomony to the rising prominence of Chinese language watchmaking. It affords an avant-garde design, historic significance, and an inexpensive worth level for watch collectors looking for one thing distinctive.
Who’s Ciga Design?
Ciga Design was based in 2016 by Zhang Jianmin, certainly one of China’s prime industrial designers. As a younger Chinese language designer watch model, their mission is to redefine watchmaking with fashionable mechanical artwork, which is obvious all through the Blue Planet.
In 2021, Ciga Design made historical past by turning into the primary Chinese language model to win the “Problem” class on the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), probably the most prestigious award in watchmaking (just like the Oscars for watches).
Unboxing and First Impressions
When a curious bundle from Ciga Design arrived at my doorstep, I initially thought it is likely to be a espresso desk guide I had ordered. To my shock, it was the Blue Planet watch. The unboxing expertise was actually distinctive, that includes a guide that explains the watch’s environmental philosophy, which aligns with its total theme. The presentation is akin to a connoisseur 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 heart stage.
Case and Strap Impressions
Regardless of its 46mm dimension, the Blue Planet’s titanium case wears smaller because of 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 refined brushing on the case will assist disguise hairline scratches over time. I used to be pleasantly shocked by the comfortable, supple rubber strap, which I used to be initially anxious about, however it felt snug 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 under, the time reads 10:10. It’s unconventional and takes some getting used to, however that’s precisely the purpose – like a movie digital camera, it invitations you to decelerate and savor the expertise.
Video Overview
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 possibility for watch collectors looking for one thing distinctive. This Ciga Design watch assessment has definitely 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.
