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We’ve handled enough cheap skeleton watches to know that the category is a bit of a minefield. Most look great in renders but unfortunately fall flat in person.
CIGA design is one of the few budget players that might’ve actually pulled it off, and the Swiss establishment agrees. As most of you are aware, the brand’s Blue Planet snagged a GPHG prize back in 2021, a first for a Chinese watchmaker. So when CIGA design does anything new with its entry-level Hunter, we pay attention. Meet the Hunter Vintage.
Gold, Three Ways
The Hunter family always felt a bit more like tactical gear. Black cases, gray cases, raw titanium – they were the kind of finishes that photograph well next to a pocket knife (and we’re not complaining). However, the Vintage breaks that formula with three gold-toned colorways (sand, rose, and brown) laid over 316L stainless steel.
The micro-sandblasting is doing all of the heavy lifting here. It mutes the gold just enough, while polished chamfers along the case edges keep it catching light. The 43mm x 48mm three-layer tonneau case carries over unchanged, still lugless, and still sitting flat against the wrist.
The $599 In-House Flex
Behind the dial (or where a dial would be, if there were one) sits the CD-07, CIGA design’s self-developed automatic caliber. Its bridges stretch across the case in a big X, putting all 24 jewels and every last gear in plain sight while beating away at 28,800 vph with a 40-hour power reserve.
Flip the watch over and you’ll find the brand’s Kinetics rotor, a compact winding weight squeezed into a 120-degree arc so it doesn’t smother the view through the exhibition caseback. Each movement also goes through a 90-day assembly and testing process before it ships.
Matching Hardware
The H-link bracelet wears the same tone and micro-sandblasted finish as the case and closes with a hidden push-button clasp. There are quick-release levers built in too, if you’d rather run it on a strap.
The hands and markers get a dose of Swiss Super-LumiNova that glows green against all that gold, and water resistance is rated to 5ATM. A rainstorm won’t hurt it, but we wouldn’t take it diving.
Spec Sheet
Case Size: 43mm x 48mm
Case Material: Micro-Sandblasted 316L Stainless Steel
Crystal: Curved Sapphire
Water Resistance: 5ATM
Movement: CIGA design Caliber CD-07 Automatic
Power Reserve: 40 Hours
Lume: Swiss Super-LumiNova (Dark Green/C1)
Band: 316L Stainless Steel H-Link Bracelet w/ Quick-Release
Colors: Sand Gold, Rose Gold, Brown Gold
Pricing & Availability
The Hunter Vintage is up for pre-order now in all three colorways, priced at $599 (€649), which makes it the cheapest way into a Hunter lineup that climbs to $1,999. Head over to CIGA design’s website to secure yours.
Recap
CIGA design Hunter Vintage Skeleton Automatic Watch
CIGA design gives its entry-level skeleton automatic three gold-toned colorways, keeping the in-house CD-07 caliber and the $599 price tag right where they were.
