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CIGA Design, established in 2016 by Zhang Jianmin, a distinguished figure in Chinese industrial design, emerged from a vision to revolutionise traditional watchmaking. Disappointed by the lack of originality and innovation in the timepieces he encountered while serving as a judge at the Clocks and Watches Fair in Shenzhen, Zhang set out to create a brand that would embody modern mechanical artistry. Thus, CIGA Design were born, with the name reflecting the brand's parent company, XIJIA (玺), which translates to "amazing" in Chinese—a fitting aspiration for the brand's trajectory.
Awards And Accomplishments
As a relatively young brand in the global watchmaking landscape, CIGA Design have quickly established themselves as leading forces in the industry, blending premium craftsmanship with affordability. The brand's commitment to design excellence is evident through their impressive array of accolades, including nine Red Dot Design Awards, two iF Design Awards, and three German Design Awards. Notably, CIGA Design are the only original Chinese watch brand to have won the prestigious Red Dot Best of the Best Award and the iF Gold Award. In 2021, CIGA Design further cemented their place in horological history by becoming the first Chinese brand to win the “Challenge” category at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG), the most esteemed award in the watchmaking world.
CIGA Design's collaboration with tech giant Xiaomi played a significant role in propelling the brand to international recognition. The partnership began on Xiaomi's Youpin e-commerce platform, where CIGA Design's watches set a record for mechanical watch sales within the first 14 hours. This success attracted Xiaomi's investment, driven by the brand's outstanding design and strong market performance. One notable product of this collaboration is the CIGA Design Full Hollow, a sleek, modern timepiece that garnered the Red Dot 2017 Design Award and the 2019 German Design Award.
Building on this momentum, CIGA Design released the MY Series, designed by renowned British designer Michael Young, which won the iF Gold Award and saw all 10,000 units sell out on Youpin. The brand's innovative spirit continued with the Z Series Titanium Edition, which achieved rapid success in international crowdfunding, reaching 100% funding in just 40 minutes and exceeding 600% within 24 hours. Since 2019, CIGA Design have expanded their presence to markets in Indonesia, Russia, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, and Switzerland, among others, experiencing rapid sales growth and solidifying their reputation as trailblazers in the watchmaking industry.
The Brand’s Portfolio
CIGA Design's portfolio is a testament to innovative and artistic watchmaking, with each collection uniquely named as a 'series' followed by an alphabet. Renowned for their distinctive designs, many of these collections have received prestigious awards. Notably, the Blue Planet, part of Series U, has garnered widespread acclaim for its revolutionary time-telling and stunning visuals. Additionally, some standout pieces, like the Tourbillon Watch Chinese Zodiac Limited Edition, exist outside these series, further showcasing the brand's creative prowess.
The brand's design language is characterised by the bold use of skeletonised dials, allowing the intricate workings of the mechanism to be showcased. This feature is a signature element across many collections, such as Series C, which offers both soft round and semi-angular square cases with skeleton dials. Series R stands out with its daring and unconventional shapes, pushing the boundaries of traditional watch design.
Series J introduces a Zen-inspired watch with clean lines and symmetrical aesthetics, reflecting a serene approach to timekeeping. The Magician, found in Series M, is a unique timepiece that allows the wearer to switch the case shape, offering versatility and a playful take on watch design. Series MY, created in collaboration with renowned British designer Michael Young, features a semi-openworked dial that blends art with functionality.
CIGA Design also cater to women with feminine and artistic watches in dainty, unique shapes, such as a rose, adding a touch of elegance to their portfolio. Series X and Series Y present masculine watches with bold skeleton dials and intricate X-shaped designs, all housed in a square case, offering a robust and striking aesthetic. Finally, Series Z rounds out the collection with ultra-cool tonneau-shaped cases, embodying the brand's spirit of innovation and modernity.