REVIEW – Over the past 3 years, I have reviewed a few watches from a company called CIGA Design. This company usually produces automatic mechanical watches that are unique in design and they have worked flawlessly for me since I received them. CIGA is back at it again and has sent me their stainless steel CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series U Blue Planet to test and review. So, here we go!!
What is it?
The CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series U Blue Planet is an inspirational design that comes from CIGA’s vision of a restored and vibrant Earth. When the hour hand rotates 30°, the minute hand rotates 390°. This innovative change in the gear ratio of the traditional movement means the watch can indicate both the hour and minute with a single pointer. It is a transformational way of time-telling.
What’s in the box
1 x CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series U Blue Planet
1 x Watch Band
Design and features
Features
Specifications
The front of the CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series U Blue Planet watch features a 1/2 globe in the center surrounded by the dials. On the back, a clear window shows the watch’s movement. On the side, there is a screw-down crown. The band comes with quick attach/release pins for easy installation or removal.
Performance
The CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series U Blue Planet watch comes with a screw-down crown that allows you to set the time and initiate a start with 30 turns if the watch has been dormant for more than 40 hours and has stopped self-winding.
Attaching the two sides of the watch band to the watch is very easy with the included springloaded pins.
As shown below, the time indicators are unique. Since it is somewhat difficult to explain, I will use the manufacturer’s description: “When the hour hand rotates 30°, the minute hand rotates 390°. This innovative change in the gear ratio of the traditional movement means the watch can indicate both the hour and minute with a single pointer. This ingenious solution transforms the conventional way of time-telling.”
I really love the design of the CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series U Blue Planet watch. It is beautiful and comfortable to wear. I get many compliments, but most of the compliments are followed by the question: “How do you read the time?”. With no illumination on the dials or watch face, even I have a hard time reading it. It takes me a minute to figure it out albeit that I am getting better. The design is unique and the time is accurate. The boasted 40-hour standby time is also true. If you love the design and you have patience and great eyesight, this watch is for you.
Note: It is available in Stainless Steel or Titanium.
What I like
- The unique design
- The automatic movement (no battery)
- The build quality
- The reliability
What I’d change
- Fix the lack of illumination for the hour and minute indicators
Final thoughts
As with the CIGA Design watches that I have previously reviewed, the CIGA Design Mechanical Watch Series U Blue Planet watch offers a similar unique design, reliability, and build quality. However, it also includes the negative of no illumination for the hands or in this case hour and minute indicators and this makes it very difficult to just glance at the watch and tell the time.
Price: $999
Where to buy: CIGA Design website
Source: The sample for this review was provided by Ciga
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If the face shows the Earth, where is the observation point? Or… What projection is being used? I think I’ve looked at every contour, finding none that fits all the ones I’m familiar with. So if it is Earth, it’ll knock my ego down a notch. If it’s not Earth, why?