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Ever since CIGA design won the Geneva Grand Prix in 2021 with its remarkable Blue Planet wristwatch — featuring a literal map of the world on the dial and displaying the time in one of the most unique ways we’d ever imagined — it’s been living proof that superb timepieces can be made outside the likes of Switzerland, Japan, and Germany. However, the Shenzhen-based watchmaker had already raked in 17 awards in the four years prior, including a Red Dot Design award for its debut model. With its latest effort, CIGA has eschewed its flagship Blue Planet with the new Time Cipher, a wandering-hour watch with an identity all its own.
Dating back to the 17th century, the wandering-our concept features a revolving hour disc affixed to a minute hand that rotates around the dial. It’s still seldom employed today because of how complicated it is to make. What separates the Time Cipher from the pack is how it brings a minimalist design to such a complex display, allowing it to be less of a spectacle and more approachable for everyday wear.
CIGA starts with a 45mm 316L stainless steel case housing a Super Black dial, which absorbs 99.3% of light. The depth of the dial’s darkness allows the neon green openworked hour disc to pop at the end of the minute arm, which itself is partially skeletonized with Côtes de Genève and refined chamfers. The CNC-engraved raised minute indices pop around the outer ring as well to add more contrast and simplicity.
Reading the time is also part of the fun. As the large arm points the minutes on the outer ring, the hour disc indicates the current hour. When the hand hits the top of the dial, a new hour begins!
Of course, none of this is possible without the proper horology on the inside. Boasting 42 hours of power reserve and a 4 Hz beat rate, the CD-08 caliber is a customized Miyota 9000 series automatic movement that undergoes extensive tests by CIGA before they implement the wandering-hour mechanism. It’s visible through the exhibition caseback, around which is engraved with info about the timepiece. Water resistant to 50m, the Time Cipher is also adorned with a black fluororubber strap with a hidden push-button clasp.
Priced at $899, the Time Cipher is now available from CIGA design’s website. It’s available in both Carbon and Silver case colors.
