CIGA Design Blue Planet Gilding Version Hands-On Review

The Ciga Design Blue Planet Gilding Edition was just released. You can pick it up for $1,899 USD on their website (with a price increase to $2,199 in a few days). Use the discount code CIGA2023 until April 15th for an additional $100 off.

A few months ago, we had the opportunity to review the CIGA Design Blue Planet. The model marked the first time that a Chinese company won a GPHG Award for the Challenge Prize. It was a significant win for the brand, and a testament to how far Chinese watchmaking has come over the years. This week however, CIGA has released a new model based on the Blue Planet with an interesting take on what the Blue Planet already did really well. We had the opportunity to go hands on with the all new CIGA Design Blue Planet Gilding Edition, so of course we took it.

Let’s start with the case and bracelet design. While the footprint is pretty much the same as it’s predecessor, and I won’t go back and rehash it (You can read the full review here), the long and short of it is that 46mm has never worn so well. Due to the case shape, it wears much smaller than the size would suggest, and with the Gilding Edition, the case gets the Ceramic upgrade that it deserves. In keeping with the pebble-esque case shape, the black ceramic is actually fairly difficult to work with in this non-traditional shape. It would typically be difficult to get the finishing to look good, but CIGA nailed it. The polished ceramic gives an old-world aesthetic and I love it.

Further, the watch comes fitted with a single-link ceramic strap. It’s incredibly comfortable, although I might have liked just a little more texture on the bracelet over it’s more glossy appearance. Since it’s ceramic, the single-link makes sense to keep the cost down and provide some extra value, and there isn’t anything wrong with it. It’s lovely, and the added value of having a ceramic bracelet is undeniable, but I found myself wearing the rubber strap more often. The ceramic bracelet comes on a neat gilded butterfly clasp that contours nicely and doesn’t scratch or irritate. You’d think with all the polished ceramic, the watch would retain fingerprints pretty badly, but it actually doesn’t. In fact, it’s dark enough that it’s hard to tell any smudges are even there. That makes it a lot easier wear.

The main event of the Blue Planet Gilding Edition is obviously the dial. With the original Blue Planet, the earth motif was so intricate I found myself staring at it quite often. It’s easy to get lost in. The Gilded Edition ups the game though. Reportedly, only 60% of the dials that Ciga Design created for this watch were actually used, with the rest being scrapped - That’s the level of detail in the dial. Each dial is etched over a period of 18-hours before being coated in an ultra-blank ink that allows for the gold to be applied everywhere. With the nature of the intricate motif, that can be a difficult process, and the result is simply stunning.

Inside the Blue Planet Gilding Edition is Ciga’s “In house” movement. I say that, because although the Blue Planet has a proprietary method of telling the time, it’s ultimately produced by Sea Gull. Still, a workhorse with 40 hours of power reserve. The watch is rated for 30M of water resistance, which means don’t take it swimming, but it’ll stand the test of most daily activities.

Overall, I’ve enjoyed my time with the Ciga Design Blue Planet Gilded Edition. It’s a fresh take on an already elegant design that still feels familiar. On top of that, it’s hard to argue with the value proposition here. An original design, with a real gold coated dial, in a ceramic case, and a ceramic bracelet for less than two grand? I don’t see many brand’s chomping at the bit to compete with that. In fact, I can’t think of a watch off the top of my head that can throw it’s hat in the ring. And I think that’s what makes Ciga Design such a powerhouse in the microbrand space. I said on my last review that I looked forward to seeing what Ciga does next, and they did not disappoint. Early bird pricing for the Ciga Design Blue Planet Gilding Edition is a modest $1,899 USD (expect to see an increase to $2,199 in a few days). We liked this piece so much, we included it on our best watches from Chinese brands list.