CIGA Design’s Central Tourbillon Mount Everest Homage Edition represents another peak for Chinese watchmaking
Jamie WeissThe first Chinese watch brand to win an award at the GPHG, CIGA Design (which is technically a design firm rather than an up-and-down watchmaker per se) has developed a reputation for out-there yet innovative watch designs that turn the concept of time-telling on its head – while keeping its prices very much grounded. Its latest creation, however, looks to the lofty peaks of the world’s highest mountain for inspiration: an exceedingly competitively priced central tourbillon timepiece that commemorates the 70th anniversary of Sir Edmund Hillary and Tenzing Norgay’s ascent of Mount Everest.
The case
Like their GPHG-winning Blue Planet, the CIGA Design Central Tourbillon Mount Everest Homage Edition features a lugless design and a futuristic circular case. But that’s about where the similarities end. Unlike the sleek Blue Planet, the Central Tourbillon Mount Everest features a rugged, mountaineering tool-inspired titanium case with aggressive knurling and a prominent 8mm crown. It’s not a subtle watch – but central tourbillons aren’t meant to be subtle.
Two other noteworthy features of this watch’s case are its thin bezel and completely flat sapphire crystal, which seem designed to offer maximum dial real estate to its namesake complication. Same goes for its lugless look: there’s nothing to distract from the dial.
The dial
Speaking of the dial, this is where the Central Tourbillon Mount Everest Homage Edition gets interesting. As the name implies, there’s a big central tourbillon that dominates the dial – but it’s also got some funky ice axe-shaped hands. The minute hand can be differentiated thanks to the four flags waving from it – the British, Indian, Nepalese and United Nations flags – the same flags that Norgay and Hillary raised to celebrate their successful ascent in 1953.
The dial itself also features a literal connection to Mount Everest, as it’s crafted from rocks gathered from the slopes of the famous mountain by CIGA Design’s chief designer, Zhang Jianmin. Stone dials are enjoying something of a resurgence at the moment: this is a bit different to the Gibeon meteorite or semi-precious stone dials that other watchmakers are crafting…
The strap
The CIGA Design Central Tourbillon Mount Everest Homage Edition comes mounted on a rubber strap with a rock effect that resembles the texture of the watch’s dial. Like the dial, it’s subtle yet distinctive. An emblem commemorating this 70th anniversary can be found where the strap meets the case.
The movement
The most impressive part of the Central Tourbillon Mount Everest Homage Edition is its movement. CIGA Design lists it as the Calibre CD-05 and describes it as being “CIGA Design customised” – a vague term. A look at the back, however, reveals that it’s actually based on the Peacock Dandong central tourbillon, an impressive feat by the manufacture. Specs-wise, it really impresses: it beats at a somewhat leisurely 3 Hertz but boasts 33 jewels and a beefy 120-hour power reserve. The tourbillon itself is pleasantly designed, with a modern, filleted cage. The really impressive part is the cost: it’s a central tourbillon for less than US$4k. No matter which way you cut it, that’s pretty hard to beat.
CIGA Design Central Tourbillon Mount Everest Homage Edition pricing & availability
The CIGA Design Central Tourbillon Mount Everest Homage Edition is available now from CIGA Design’s webstore. Price: US$3,600.
| Brand | CIGA Design |
| Model | Central Tourbillon Mount Everest Homage Edition |
| Case Dimensions | 45mm (D) |
| Case Material | Titanium |
| Water Resistance | N/A |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Mount Everest rock |
| Lug Width | Lugless; strap width of 22mm |
| Strap | Rock-effect rubber strap with butterfly clasp |
| Movement | Calibre CD-05, Peacock Dandong, manual-winding |
| Power Reserve | 120 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, central tourbillon |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$3,600 |