About CIGA Design Watches
Award-Winning Contemporary Horology, Architectural Mechanical Design & Independent Watchmaking Innovation
CIGA Design watches represent one of the most influential developments in contemporary watchmaking, combining award-winning innovation, architectural mechanical design and independent horological creativity within a collection that has reshaped global perceptions of modern watchmaking. Founded with a vision to unite industrial design, engineering and mechanical craftsmanship, CIGA Design has emerged as one of the most recognised names in contemporary horology through its commitment to originality, innovation and technical excellence. International recognition arrived when the Blue Planet became the first Chinese watch to receive a Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) award, one of the highest honours in global watchmaking. This landmark achievement established CIGA Design among the industry's most respected innovators and introduced a new generation of collectors to the possibilities of design-led mechanical watchmaking. Today, the collection encompasses award-winning automatic watches, architectural skeleton watches, innovative tourbillon watches and highly distinctive mechanical timepieces that continue to challenge conventional expectations of luxury horology.
The Story of CIGA Design
Founded in Shenzhen, CIGA Design was established to create a new relationship between industrial design and mechanical watchmaking. From the beginning, the brand focused on originality, innovation and visual storytelling, developing watches that place engineering and creativity at the centre of the ownership experience. This distinctive approach quickly attracted international attention, helping CIGA Design build a reputation among collectors, designers and watch enthusiasts seeking contemporary mechanical watches that offer something genuinely different. Through a combination of industrial design expertise, advanced engineering and modern aesthetics, the brand has become one of the most recognised names within contemporary independent horology.
Blue Planet & The GPHG Award
The defining moment in the rise of CIGA Design arrived with the launch of the Blue Planet collection. Inspired by the Earth itself, Blue Planet introduced a revolutionary orbital display system that transformed the traditional presentation of time into a highly immersive visual experience. In 2021, Blue Planet received the Challenge Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève, becoming the first Chinese watch to receive one of the industry's most prestigious awards. This historic achievement elevated both the collection and the wider perception of contemporary Chinese watchmaking, establishing CIGA Design among the most innovative brands operating within modern horology. Today, Blue Planet remains one of the most celebrated and instantly recognisable watch designs of the modern era.
Architectural Mechanical Watch Design
Architectural design remains one of the defining characteristics of CIGA Design watches. Rather than concealing the movement beneath a conventional dial, many collections transform mechanical engineering into the centrepiece of the visual experience. Watches including Hunter, Time Cipher, Edge and Vector showcase openworked construction, geometric movement layouts and three-dimensional case architecture that reveal the intricate relationship between engineering and design. This distinctive approach creates remarkable visual depth while allowing wearers to engage directly with the mechanical artistry operating beneath the surface. The result is a collection of contemporary mechanical watches that blur the boundaries between horology, architecture and industrial design.
Mechanical Innovation & Contemporary Horology
Innovation sits at the heart of every CIGA Design collection. From unconventional methods of displaying time to advanced movement presentation and contemporary case engineering, the brand continues to explore new possibilities within mechanical watchmaking. Whether through the immersive architecture of Hunter, the technical sophistication of Mount Everest Tourbillon or the sculptural engineering of Time Cipher, every collection demonstrates a commitment to advancing contemporary horology through creativity and technical achievement. This relentless pursuit of innovation has helped establish CIGA Design as one of the most influential independent watchmakers of the modern era, attracting collectors who value originality as highly as craftsmanship.
Award-Winning Collections
The CIGA Design collection encompasses some of the most distinctive watches in contemporary horology. Blue Planet remains the brand's most celebrated creation, recognised globally for its award-winning display system and revolutionary approach to time indication. Hunter showcases advanced openworked engineering and mechanical transparency, while Time Cipher explores futuristic movement architecture and technical design. Edge demonstrates the brand's ability to combine minimalism with mechanical complexity, and Mount Everest Tourbillon highlights its expertise in high-end complications and contemporary luxury watchmaking. Together, these collections showcase the breadth of innovation, creativity and mechanical craftsmanship that define the modern CIGA Design catalogue.
Independent Watchmaking & Collector Appeal
As interest in independent watchmaking continues to grow, CIGA Design has become increasingly recognised among collectors seeking originality, authenticity and mechanical substance. The brand occupies a unique position within contemporary horology, combining award-winning design with accessible mechanical craftsmanship and a highly distinctive creative identity. This balance of innovation, engineering and artistic expression has helped attract a global community of enthusiasts who appreciate watches that offer genuine individuality and long-term collector appeal. By combining contemporary design with meaningful mechanical content, CIGA Design continues to establish itself among the most exciting names in modern independent watchmaking.
Why Collectors Are Choosing CIGA Design
Collectors continue to gravitate towards CIGA Design for several key reasons:
• Award-winning watchmaking innovation
• GPHG-winning Blue Planet collection
• Architectural mechanical design
• Independent watchmaking credibility
• Contemporary horological creativity
• Openworked and skeletonised engineering
• Tourbillon expertise
• Distinctive collector appeal
• Original display systems
• International design recognition
This combination of creativity, engineering and horological achievement has helped establish CIGA Design as one of the most influential brands within contemporary independent watchmaking.
The Future of Contemporary Watchmaking
CIGA Design continues to play a significant role in shaping the future of contemporary watchmaking through its combination of award-winning design, mechanical innovation and independent creative freedom. As global interest grows in collector-focused mechanical watches, architectural watch design and contemporary horology, the brand remains at the forefront of modern watchmaking through a relentless commitment to originality and technical achievement. Collections including Blue Planet, Hunter, Time Cipher, Edge and Mount Everest demonstrate how innovative engineering and artistic vision can coexist within modern mechanical timepieces, creating watches that appeal to both seasoned collectors and a new generation of enthusiasts. Through internationally recognised design, advanced mechanical craftsmanship and a willingness to explore new ideas, CIGA Design continues to expand the possibilities of contemporary horology while reinforcing its position as one of the most influential independent watch brands of the modern era.
