Last year, the New York Times ran an article entitled, “The Chinese Watch Brand That Beat the Swiss.” The article profiled Zhang Jianmin, founder of CIGA Design, and his brand’s victory at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. The watch that earned CIGA the title was the Blue Planet–a mystifying work with a rotating aluminium, three-dimensional globe at the heart of its dial. The Blue Planet beat out five other contenders in the Challenge Watch category, essentially putting CIGA design on the horological map.
Today, CIGA launches a new timepiece from the brand’s X Series–which brought us the Gorilla. It is called the Eye of Horus.
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Specifics of the Eye of Horus X-Series
The watch is a skeleton-style automatic that seeks to fuse the elements of contemporary design with the mystique of ancient Egyptian mythology. The CIGA Design X Series draws its name from the X-shaped motif at the centre of the skeltonized dial. It personifies the Egyptian concepts of energy, power, healing, and luck through its emblematic Eye of Horus triangle—which also functions as the second hand. The hour and minute hands, along with the central triangle and hour indicators positioned in the rehaut, glow a luminous green in the dark.
Like medical prosthetics and other healthcare products (or even recent offerings from the Omega and Blancpain Swatch collaborations), the case here is fashioned from a lightweight and hardy bioceramic. It employs an interior shock absorption system and offers 30m of water resistance. To the touch, the watch is textured and solid with plenty of angles and planes. Aesthetically, it appears very modern, even futuristic with its industrial appearance of screws and other metal elements. However, there is an obsidian-capped crown that also references the mythological intentions of the watch, blending old and new.
The Eye of Horus is not a small piece. It is 48mm in diameter; however, as it is a square, the lug to lug is actually a more than comfortable 47.3mm. Despite its size, the watch is also relatively svelte at 11.7mm, and has a 22mm lug width. On wrist, it does command a lot of real estate, but the wide strap and balanced lug to lug work in its favour.
As a movement, the Eye of Horus is equipped with the independently developed CD-01. It’s an automatic, 24-jewel calibre with a 40-hour power reserve. It is manufactured for the brand by the Chinese watch and movement manufacturer, Seagull. It is accurate within -15/+30 seconds per day and has a 3Hz beat rate.
The silicone strap is comfortable enough and suits the watch aesthetically. It has matching black hardware including a PVD-coated clasp. The watch is available in three colourways, including black, rose gold, and the silver reference featured here.
SPECS
| Case | Bioceramics 48mm Diameter 11.7mm Thick 47.3mm Lug to Lug 22mm Lug Width Modular Case Design 30m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Applied Indices Skeleton Dial Pencil Style Handset Luminous Hands and Markers |
| Movement | CD-01 24 Jewels 21 600bph 40-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Silicone Strap |
Eye of Horus X Series from CIGA Design
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Of Interest
The vision for the CIGA Design X Series Eye of Horus originates in the eponymous ancient Egyptian symbol. The Eye of Horus has both religious and protective significance. It is one of the most recognizable symbols from ancient Egypt and holds a special place in Egyptian mythology and culture. The Eye of Horus is often associated with protection, healing, and royal power. It is also considered a symbol of good health, and it was believed to have the power to ward off evil spirits and negative influences.
The symbol is named after Horus, one of the most important deities in the ancient Egyptian pantheon. Horus was the god of the sky, and he was often depicted as a falcon or as a man with a falcon’s head. The Eye of Horus represents his left eye and is said to have been injured during a battle with his uncle, Seth.
Ancient Egyptians believed that it had the power to heal and protect, making it a common symbol in amulets and jewelry. The Eye of Horus is often depicted as a stylized eye with various parts that have specific numerical values. These parts are associated with fractions, and the eye is believed to symbolize the process of measurement and the concept of unity. For example, the eyebrow represents 1/64, the pupil represents 1/2, and other parts represent different fractions.
Quibbles
A lot of time and thought has gone into the appearance of this watch. There are even interesting technical innovations, such as its coiled shock absorption system. However, it wouldn’t hurt to have a little bump in water resistance or longer lasting lume. Legibility also takes some getting used to. Nonetheless, when considering the asking price here, a lot can be forgiven.
Final Thoughts
The Eye of Horus X Series from CIGA Design is the kind of timepiece that transforms non-watch people into watch people. Aimed at a decidedly young and contemporary audience, it references other blocky, industrial timepieces, such as the G-Shock in its aesthetics. Yet, it offers up the intriguing inner workings of a mechanical timepiece. For the untutored–who do not care about accuracy–the latticework and beading on the rotor, in addition to the purple jewels and X-shaped bridge, definitely deliver a glimpse of luxury for an entry-level price. The Eye of Horus also taps into to the unquantifiable culture of steampunk gaming (The Room, Frostpunk, Dishonored, Destiny) with its appealing use of dark tones, exposed metals, and mystical intentions. Certainly, CIGA announces the arrival of Chinese watchmaking.
The CIGA Design X Series Eye of Horus is available today on Indiegogo for only $199USD. For more information visit the brand website, or its pledge page.
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About the author
Brent Robillard is a writer, educator, craftsman, and watch enthusiast. He is the author of four novels. You can follow him on Instagram.
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