China, as a rule, is never in a hurry. Someone may object: what about the famous “Great Leap Forward” of the times of Mao Zedong? Let's answer - this is just an exception to the rule. There is a time for everything - this is the principle of Chinese civilization, which is clearly aware of its many-thousand-year-old identity. Or, in the words of a Russian proverb, if you drive more quietly, you will go further.
Somehow, the times when the epithet “Chinese” was equivalent to the description “low quality” are in the past. This fully applies to the Chinese watch industry. Yes, today Chinese watches are still inferior in prestige to Swiss watches. But we would venture to guess that this will not always be the case...
However, let's return to the present day and take a look at the Chinese watch company CIGA Design. Extremely young (the brand was registered only in 2013), she already has about twenty international awards in the field of design, including prizes from the famous Red Dot competitions. The brand is particularly proud of the Geneva Grand Prix (GPHG) in the Challenge Watch category, which was won by the CIGA Design Blue Planet model.
As the brand name itself suggests, the main emphasis is on watch design. The company states its credo as follows: “CIGA Design is committed to original and innovative designs that redefine the wristwatch as a means of expressing the individuality and beliefs of new generations.” Hence the company's systematic cooperation with talented designers from various countries. One of them is the British Michael Young (who has been living in Hong Kong in recent years), a recognized authority in the field of industrial design. Young's works have been exhibited at the Louvre and the Pompidou Center, in museums in London, Milan, Hong Kong, San Francisco, etc. and so on.
Today we are looking at the CIGA Design Michael Young watch, ref. M021-BLBL-W13, awarded the prestigious iF Design Award (gold medal) and the German Design Award.
First impression
As usual, we start with packaging. Moreover, it itself was awarded the no less prestigious Red Dot Award. The packaging is truly non-standard. This is a box made of thick cardboard that opens like a book. On the front side there is an artistically executed photograph of Michael Young, inside there are manufacturer’s warranty statements and a detailed instruction manual for the watch.
The usual pad is missing; the watch case is placed in a special slot, separate from the strap. The latter has its own nest... and more than one: the model comes with a Milanese bracelet and a leather strap, and the replacement procedure is simple. Moreover, another recess houses a real watch screwdriver! The process of installing the strap is easy and even fun!
The only thing missing from the set is, perhaps, a watchmaker's loupe - of course, the watch is aimed at young people, but in the modern world, not every young person has eagle vision. And it would be interesting to examine the mechanism (which we will discuss below) through such a lens...
However, let's take a break from design issues for a moment - after all, we are looking at a real mechanical watch.
Movement
The model is powered by the automatic Seagull caliber ST25 family. Functionality – basic: hours, minutes, seconds. Movement diameter 30,4 mm, thickness 7,4 mm, 25 jewels, 21600 vibrations per hour. The declared power reserve is 40 hours, the declared accuracy is -15/+30 seconds per day (we will check both on a specific sample). Automatic winding is unidirectional. It is possible to wind it manually (it is recommended to make 30 turns of the crown). There is a stop second option. Shockproof module – Incabloc.
The mechanism is visible both from the back and from the front (more on that later). It looks great on both sides, including the quality of the finish. Reviews about the caliber are also flattering: it is not inferior to Swiss ones.
Chassis
The first word that comes to mind when looking at the body is “brutality”. Massive, although with a thin bezel, a perfect circle, made of stainless steel with black PVD coating. The case diameter is impressive - 45 mm. Thickness is 12 mm, water resistance is 30 m (you shouldn’t swim in this watch, but it doesn’t care about rain or any splashes).
Note the tasteful alternation of polished and satin surfaces. Let us especially highlight the glass: it is, of course, sapphire and equipped with an anti-reflective coating, but the main thing is that it is flat, and this mysteriously enhances the masculinity of the model. The art of design, what else can you say...
The back cover, as already mentioned, is transparent. There is, however, something to complain about. We're talking about the crown - it's not very grippy.
The watch is held on the wrist, as mentioned above, either by a steel Milanese bracelet, also with black PVD coating, or by a leather strap. Both are quite comfortable.
Clock face
Actually, there is no dial as such – CIGA Design is true to itself, preferring skeletons. And at the same time (another paradox) there seems to be a dial. Or rather, there is an absolutely recognizable face of the model: a masterfully conceived and precisely executed mesh-lattice of the same black color, formed by diagonal elements of various thicknesses and at various intervals. And behind it you can clearly see the mechanism with numerous wheels and other parts; The colors of gold and silver with ruby accents dominate here.
In general, this “face of the clock” is associated with a certain painting in the abstract-constructivist style. Michael Young and his partners at CIGA Design deserve a round of applause! By the way, a brand logo and a facsimile signature of the designer are quite appropriate.
But again, not without “however”. Yes, aesthetically everything is beyond any praise. But in terms of readability... The dial is completely devoid of marks and, especially, numbers. The hands are absolutely clear (the hour and minute are skeletonized), but, for example, it is not possible to accurately set the minute hand to the exact time signal (i.e., to the “12 o’clock” position). A trifle, of course, but for some it’s annoying. And it becomes clear that this is hardly a watch “for every day.”
Express testing results
During the day, the clock moved forward by only 7 seconds. Excellent indicator! Full winding (for the aforementioned 30 turns of the crown) was enough for 41 hours 6 minutes - this more than exceeded the declared characteristics (remember, 40 hours are guaranteed).
Let's add: weighing (without bracelet/strap) showed 61 grams. But it seemed that it would be harder... In general, everything is in order.
Сonclusion
The CIGA Design Michael Young model makes a very pleasant impression as a fairly accurate and reliable watch with a clear design character, addressed primarily to energetic young people. The format “for every day” is hardly suitable, but for a party or other non-everyday event it is just right.
Moreover, the price is also pleasant - about 250 euros. Against this background, the Swiss, with their traditionally overly ambitious pricing policy, are in danger of losing a noticeable part of the market...
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