by Tyler Frederick
On Edge
The new year has gotten off to such a great start in terms of checking out new watches, and I recently had the opportunity to revisit a brand I’ve loved for years: CIGA design. I’ve been lucky enough to experience two watches previously: the modular-cased Magician, which offered the ability to remove the dial and movement as one encapsulated piece and rotate it through three case shapes (hexagonal, square, and circular), and the Eye of Horus, which was a skeletonized watch with a composite case that was lightweight and comfortable. However, both watches were fairly large and a bit out of my comfort zone. Today, I’ve been blessed with the opportunity to check out a watch whose predecessor won the 2020 German Design Award and is an upgrade, making for an even more beautiful design and wearing experience. The watch in question is the CIGA design Edge Exploration.
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Even cooler than expected
As mentioned in my other write-ups, my goal is to check out different watches and avenues I wouldn’t normally explore, as I’ve found myself interested in watches that look fairly similar to things I already own and have developed a “comfort zone,” which terrifies me. I’m never one to get comfortable, and I’m always looking at something new, so it’s time to get in the hypothetical car and get moving. CIGA design is a brand I’ve carried in my heart for quite some time, and having the opportunity to check out yet another watch has been spectacular, especially one that’s not in my usual wheelhouse in terms of design or aesthetics. It’s a watch that’s shown me how to break away from my “normal” and to find the beauty in the unknown, especially with things I think I’ll have a hard time wearing or comprehending. The Edge Exploration is very different from my usual tastes, and from its initial arrival, I was left with this feeling of “this is even cooler and feels better than I was expecting.”
Key Features of the CIGA design Edge Exploration
Wearable art
I often look at watches with this case shape and a skeletonized dial as a form of wearable art, and not something that I’d regularly wear due to its borderline “dressy” aesthetic. However, the Edge Exploration made me think differently. While it looks quite glamorous and flashy, I was surprised when I put it on my wrist. The “This isn’t my thing at all” quickly turned into “Okay, hang on, this is really comfy,” and I was taken aback by how beautiful the design is. Yes, it’s flashy, but there’s this sporty flash to it, if that makes sense. It has this sleek, almost hypercar-like design language that has me captivated, and the black and gold colour scheme is spectacular. It’s like Batman if his suit had gold accents; a creature of the night with a hint of light—a yin and yang vibe, if you will.
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The sweet spot
The watches I’ve checked out from CIGA design previously were of larger stature. To put it bluntly, they were very, very big on my wrist, which is just one of many reasons the Edge Exploration excited me so much; it has a smaller form factor. Measuring 41.7mm in diameter with a 48mm lug-to-lug and a thickness of 12.3mm, which is still a bit on the large side when comparing to my overall sizing preference, but it’s a watch that’s meant to be seen, so the sizing makes sense, and it still feels phenomenal on the wrist. I think the 22mm rubber strap helps balance out the size of the case and brings plenty of rigidity and ties it all together. As a whole, it’s a very streamlined and seamless wearing experience that I’ve enjoyed the last couple of weeks.
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Skeletons in the closet
While I’ve never been a fan of skeletonized dials, I’ve admired every detail packed into this tonneau-shaped case. From the front and rear open-worked construction to the polished chamfered bridges, to the gear-shaped hands and that beautiful arced sapphire crystal, every detail has a purpose, and one doesn’t overshadow the other. There are plenty of small intricacies on the front and the back, and the more you look, the more that appears; especially the heart of the Edge Exploration—a 24-jewel customized CIGA design automatic movement that carries a 40-hour power reserve. I know skeletonized dials and open case backs are sometimes labeled as too much, but with the Edge Exploration, it just makes sense. It’s a beautiful way to incorporate the internals with the external design and bring appreciation for the mechanism that makes the watch work. The fact that they took the time to polish along the chamfered bridges is wild to me. Not to mention the use of silver and gold accents and components in contrast to the black portions of the dial; there’s a lot of fantastic separation between each piece, so no detail is lost or unseen. I should also mention the implementation of C3 Super-LumiNova on the hands and indices; every detail is appreciated in all lighting conditions.
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SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 41.7mm Diameter 48mm Lug to Lug 12.3mm Thick 22mm Lug Width Screw Down Caseback 100m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Curved Sapphire Skeleton Dial “Rotor” Handset C3 Super-LumiNova |
| Movement | Customized CIGA design Automatic Movement 24 Jewels 21,600 vph (3hz) 40 Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Silicon Rubber |
CIGA design Edge Exploration
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Quibbles
The design is stunning; the black, gold, and silver blend is gorgeous. However, there’s one small problem that I wish were addressed: making the buckle on the strap gold. I know that’s extremely nitpicky, but I couldn’t go without mentioning it. You have this beautiful black case paired with a gold crown guard, a black strap, and a plain steel buckle. Turning to the case back, I wish it were maybe a bit concave so it would conform to the wrist a bit more. I know there are microbrands doing something similar with concave or dipped case backs, so something along those lines would be an awesome addition to the wearing experience. Lastly, the water resistance of 30m is slightly concerning, especially with the word “Exploration” in the title. It has a sporty look and feel that would be great for daily wear, so increasing the water resistance would definitely bring some peace of mind.
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Final Thoughts & Pricing
The CIGA design Edge Exploration was a welcome surprise and definitely aligned with my “let’s get weird” mentality for 2026. It’s a watch that I expected to look a bit more gaudy and excessive, but as time goes on and I wear it on my wrist, I’ve grown to like it quite a bit. It’s a great blend of blacked-out stealth with a gold glint. While the lack of water resistance is a bit of an issue, it’s still a cool watch that I think many would enjoy for more casual occasions. The Edge Exploration won’t be the watch for everyone, and I know it’s reminiscent of another tonneau-cased watch, but for $359 ($489 CAD), it’s a great buy.
For more information or to check out the Edge Exploration in either the black and gold or silver and red variants, please visit CIGA design. As always, thank you for taking the time to read my thoughts and opinions. Until next time, have a fantastic day!
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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.
Off The Cuff articles are full-length, hands-on reviews of the watch in question and represent the opinion of the author only. All photos are original, unless specified otherwise. If you would like to have your watch reviewed on this site, contact us here.