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About CIGA Design Mechanical Watch
There are watches, and then there are CIGA Design watches. Made by the top 10 designers from around the globe, each of the brand’s mechanical watches is a work of art.
A Red Dot Design award winner for 7 years straight, CIGA Design has also won the German Design Award and has been featured in Bloomberg and The New York Times. The talk of the town on TikTok, the brand has drummed up an impressive 1.8m views.
What’s all the fuss about? I’ll tell you everything you need to know about the brand in my CIGA Design Mechanical Watch review. Starting with brand basics, best-sellers, and feedback, by the end, you’ll know if their striking pieces are truly worth your time.
Overview of CIGA Design Mechanical Watch
In 2013, one of China’s top 10 industrial designers, Zhang Jianming launched CIGA Design. It didn’t take long for the brand to gain attention, earning a Reddit award just one short year later. They’ve only been piling on the accolades every year since.
The most notable? Perhaps their Series U Blue Planet watch was displayed in one of the most important museums in Switzerland, the MAH, and competed in the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie where it won an award in its category.
Just for reference, Louis Vuitton and Bulgari were also there and CIGA was the first original Chinese watchmaker to win an award at this event in 21 years.
Blown away yet? Just wait. I have much more for you coming up in my CIGA Design Mechanical Watch review. Let’s take a look at the highlights first.
Highlights
- Beautiful variety of award-winning mechanical watches
- High-quality, luxury designs
- From the world’s top watch designers
- More affordable than other luxury brands
- Free worldwide shipping
- One-year warranty
CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Review
CIGA Design is doing big things in the world of watches. With award-winning designs across its collections, each one holds significance and a style all its own. In the next part of my CIGA Design Mechanical Watch review, I’ll introduce you to the brand’s most popular styles.
CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series X Gorilla
If you have an active life but love the luxury look, the Series X Gorilla is the perfect bridge between the two.
With a cool contrast of the rugged nylon strap, durable 316L stainless steel frame, and delicate mechanisms, this CIGA Design watch is one you’ll want to keep on for a lifetime. Made with sapphire crystal for scratch resistance, grab this beautiful brute in one of 5 colors for $359.
CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series Z Edge
An award-winning design, the Series Z Edge nabbed prices for the 2020 German Design Awards and it was #1 in the Indiegogo watch category. With flecks of red and eye-catching layers, this artistic watch clearly draws inspiration from industrial design.
In your pick of either 316L stainless steel or titanium alloy, the Z Edge is made with sapphire crystal to withstand wear and tear and keep it looking brilliant for years. Pick from 8 different color combinations and wear it comfortably with an adjustable silicone and steel strap for $259.
CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series MY
The Series MY watch is a fan favorite. With its oversized face and matte black finish, it’s not hard to see why this intriguing design won the 2017 IF Gold Award and was a 2019 German Design Award winner as well.
It’s the design of visionary Michael Young and features a simple nylon strap and contrasting gold and silver interior parts that really make it shine. Get yours in black or silver for $239.
CIGA Design watch Series R Denmark Rose
Taking on a feminine, curvy shape, the Series R Denmark Rose features an overlapping spiral much like the look of a rose. With a thinner strap, it sits elegantly on a woman’s wrist while white and silver provide an eye-catching allure.
I love the juxtaposition of the soft “petals” against the industrial look of the watch’s mechanisms. It is a true artist’s design. Right now, you can get this unique stand-out piece on sale for $379 (normally $429).
CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series C Skeleton
With its squarish edges, the Series C Skeleton has a sporty, casual look. Look a little closer and you’ll see complex layers of cogs and pieces, skillfully built and finished with flecks of red on each of the hands for precision.
A 2017 Reddot award winner, the Series C Skeleton watch also won the German Design Award in 2019. If you’re new to luxury mechanical watches, this one is a great starting point as it’s incredibly versatile and surprisingly affordable. Get it for $159, either in black or silver.
CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series U Blue Planet
CIGA Design’s most talked-about creation, the Series U Blue Planet watch is one for the books. An incredible timepiece, it serves as a reminder of our one and only home.
Made using micro-carving technology, the CIGA Design Blue Planet watch features a rendition of Earth, its mountains and lakes etched into the surface for a truly breath-taking design.
Perhaps the most impressive feature? The earth rotates on your wrist just as it does around the sun, signifying the time with a unique marker that works with the minute dial to display the time.
The earth is captured in an ovular titanium alloy case, which just happens to be more comfortable than the traditional hard-angled watch, with curved double sapphire glass. If you do decide to take this breathtaking timepiece out for a spin, its straps are made from fluororubber and the entire watch is 3 ATM water resistant.
Impressed? You’re not the only one. The CIGA Blue Planet Automatic Wristwatch participated in the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie at the Museum of Art and History in Switzerland and walked away with a prize in hand. The MAH is one of the Swiss’s most important museums and the GPHG is a historic competition that honors only the best in watch design.
Add this significant piece to your collection for $600-900.
Who Is CIGA Design Mechanical Watch For?
CIGA Design Watches are for those looking to balance the look of a luxury watch with a durable, comfortable build. Each timepiece is unique and crafted by world-class designers from around the globe. Whether you’re a collector or want to wear these watches daily, I think you’ll love this brand’s collection.
CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Reviews: What Do Customers Think?
Sure, these watches look awesome, but what are they really like? To find out, I hit up customer feedback from around the web. You’ll find it here in this section of my CIGA Design Mechanical Watch review, starting with some ratings from the brand’s website.
- Series U Blue Planet: 4.8/5 stars, 77 reviews
- Series R Denmark Rose: 5/5 stars, 3 reviews
- Series MY: 5/5 stars, 2 reviews
- Series C: 5/5 stars, 2 reviews
- Series Z Edge: 4.8/5 stars, 7 reviews
In case you can’t already tell, the majority of people who buy CIGA Design watches love them. What do they like most? Well, it’s pretty obvious, but their unique striking designs. Here’s one CIGA Design Mechanical Watch review that speaks to this: “Watch was extremely well described and quite unique. Certainly a piece that will remain in the collection.”
The majority of other comments were similar, but here’s another that mentions what ordering from the brand is like: “Order process was simple and smooth. Emailed once to check on delivery and got a prompt response. Delivered as per communicated time. The watch is impressive, of good quality & great value.”
That’s just the brand’s website. Next, I went over to Amazon to check out the Series Z watch that got a 4.7/5 star rating from 227 shoppers.
The comments here were similar to the ones on the brand’s website, but even more helpful in understanding the watch’s look and quality. One reviewer summed it up nicely:
“I really like this watch, and I’m wearing it frequently! To my eye, this design is similar to Richard Mille watches, but at a tiny fraction of the price. I really like the light weight of the case and the soft silicone quick-release strap!”
Others say that the packaging was very nice, the watch felt sturdy, and that it keeps time accurately. From what I can see so far, CIGA Design delivers real luxury watches. Let’s see what the folks from The Gadgeteer have to say about it.
In their CIGA Design Mechanical Watch review, the team at The Gadgeteer are self-proclaimed fans of the brand. They wrote: “Just like the previous CIGA watch models, this watch feels great on my wrist, with the right weight.”
As for its performance, the review said: “It works flawlessly and keeps accurate time. The compliments that I receive support my opinion of its elegance, sophistication, and attractiveness.”
Across multiple review websites, CIGA Design is a highly respected brand. Loved for its unique and striking designs, I was happy to learn that its quality indeed matches its looks.
Is CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Legit?
I want to be as transparent as possible in my CIGA Design Mechanical Watch review, and that means keeping an eye out for red flags. While checking up on feedback, I only saw a small percentage of complaints about the brand.
While Trustpilot held some negative shipping reviews, they were all written during the onset of the pandemic. Plus, there are only 5 of them, which isn’t enough to raise a red flag. All in all, CIGA Design checks out.
Is CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Worth It?
CIGA Design watches are so much more than stylish timepieces. Each of them carries significance and are true collector’s pieces. Of course, they were made to be worn, and that’s why they’re also durable, 3ATM water resistant, and comfortable on your wrist.
After considering everything I’ve learned while writing my CIGA Design Mechanical Watch review, I wholeheartedly believe this brand is worth buying.
CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Promotions & Discounts
Even though the brand’s designs cost a fraction of what you’d normally pay for luxury watches, no CIGA Design Mechanical Watch review would be complete without the details on deals. Here’s what I found after combing the brand’s site:
- Sales on select models (psst..the Series R Denmark Rose is 12% off)
- Free worldwide shipping
Where to Buy CIGA Design Mechanical Watch
To access the entire collection, I suggest heading over to cigadesign.com to shop. If you’d rather pick up a few other items along with your new Series Z watch, you can find select styles on Amazon.
FAQ
Who owns CIGA Design?
Zhang Jianming founded CIGA Design. He’s also the brand’s chief designer and is on the list of the top 10 best industrial designers in China. That explains why his watches are so awe-inspiring.
Do I need to replace the battery for CIGA Design watches?
The cool thing about CIGA Design watches is that they don’t need replacement batteries. Made with automatic movement, it collects and stores energy from your movements which in turn powers the watch.
What is CIGA Design’s Warranty Policy?
CIGA Design offers a one-year warranty on all of its watches. It’s non-transferable and will cover any defects that come about because of workmanship or materials. To make a warranty claim, send the brand an email and they’ll tell you what to do next.
Keep in mind that your warranty is only valid if the crown of the watch is sealed during regular usage. If not, and it is exposed to water, the warranty is voided.
What is CIGA Design Mechanical Watch’s Return Policy?
Not the right fit? You can return your CIGA Design watch for a refund or exchange, but there are some general guidelines around the policy. I’ll walk you through them:
- You have 15 days from the date of receipt to start the process
- You must include all of the original packaging
- If you have worn the watch, a $30 fee will be deducted from your refund
- Made-to-order items cannot be returned
- Shipping is non-refundable
Once CIGA Design receives your return, inspects it, and approves it, your refund will be processed in 2-3 business days.
Are CIGA Design watches waterproof?
All CIGA Design watches are 3ATM waterproof. That means while you shouldn’t wear them in the shower or when you go swimming, you can wash your hands and you won’t need to panic when it starts raining.
How to Contact CIGA Design Mechanical Watch
Have questions I didn’t answer in my CIGA Design Mechanical Watch review? You can get in touch with the brand by emailing [email protected] or [email protected]. You can also fill out their contact form here.
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