Article by Tyler Frederick; photos by Brent Robillard
Sci-fi Design
Before I get into this review, I want to state something: with my collecting taste, anything over 42mm is usually a no-go. My collecting interests are all over the place, from tool watches to casual sport and dress watches to independent watchmakers creating timepieces with the aesthetics of something from a sci-fi movie.
If I like it, I like it; if I don’t, you know how it goes. However, sometimes I’m proven wrong, and sometimes the sizing of a watch isn’t as brutal as the specs list dictates. The key word is sometimes. The watch I’ve had the chance to check out is on the larger side and features something unique that I’ve yet to experience: a modular case system. Today, I’m talking about the CIGA Design Series M Magician.
Key Features of the CIGA Design M Series Magician
The Magician sparked my curiosity for the sole purpose of the modular case design. Being a tech nerd, I’ve always loved modularity and the ability to customize the world around us to suit our tastes/preferences. The modularity comes from removing the movement at the press of two buttons. The movement is placed in a three-dimensional inner case and surrounded by a stainless steel mid-case, which houses two release buttons, allowing the removal of the movement and crown as one piece from its designated case.
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The Magician features three case designs, all of which are pretty large. The round case option measures 46.2mm, the tonneau or octagonal case measures 46mm, and the square case measures 44mm. While the case sizes are on the large side, CIGA Design made the cases slightly thinner at 11mm across the board and implemented a 22mm strap to make them easier to wear. They are beautiful to look at, and the concept and design alone are something I genuinely appreciate.
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SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 44-46.2mm Diameter 11mm Thick 22mm Lug Width Modular Case Design 30m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Skeleton Dial Pencil Handset Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | CD03 28 800bph -15/+30 secs/day 40-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Black Rubber Strap /w Steel Buckle |
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Of Interest
The CIGA Design Series M Magician pulls inspiration from the art of magic and illusion. The “trick” is the ability to change the design of the watch in the blink of an eye thanks to an inner case technology with interchangeable outer bezels. With the ability to switch between case designs, the Magician gives a fantastic mix-and-match combo– three watches for one. As with all CIGA Design releases, the Magician was designed with mechanical art and functionality in mind.
Quibbles
While I love the Magician’s design and concept, I can’t get around the overall size. Two of the three cases measure 46mm, which is very large for what’s typically looked for in collecting today (usually around 38-41mm). If the cases were smaller, say 41 or 42mm, I would love these and find them even more wearable.
My other issue is the silicon rubber strap that comes with the magician. With the overall size and weight of the three watches, the silicon rubber strap feels overwhelmed, making for a slightly uncomfortable experience on wrist due to how thin and flexible it is compared to the weight of the watch itself; it’s very unbalanced. Again, I recommend a more robust strap or bracelet with more common case sizes.
Final Thoughts
The CIGA Design Magician is a conversation piece and is an innovative and unique watch. Still, if the overall wearability feels off, it doesn’t matter how cool it looks or what it can do. Do I like it? Yes, but it’s not a watch I’d grab first, second, or third. It’s an incredible piece in the collection, but an awkward one.
The Magician is a watch meant to be more an art or conversation piece than a daily driver, and I praise CIGA Design for taking things to the extreme and pushing their abilities to the limits with such a fantastic watch. If you want a watch that will get people talking and look badass for specific periods, I recommend it. I don’t think this is right for you if you’re looking for something more practical.
Pricing & Availability
The CIGA Deisgn M Series Magican retails for approximately $749 USD. For more information, please visit the brand website.
About the Author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
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