CIGA Design’s Eye of Horus: A Horological Marvel at an Accessible Price

CIGA Design may not yet command the same prominence within the horological landscape as established luxury watchmakers, but it captured the attention of both the industry and timepiece enthusiasts when the relative newcomer clinched a Grand Prix prize at the “Oscars of watchmaking” with their 46-millimeter titanium Blue Planet automatic wristwatch.

Founded by Zhang Jianmin and adhering to Bauhaus design principles, CIGA Design has positioned itself as a compelling up-and-comer in the world of timepieces, aiming to bring exemplary design to global Gen Z fashionistas. The brand has rapidly expanded its footprint by collaborating with renowned designers, resulting in signature mechanical watches such as Naoto Fukasawa’s striking J Zen, Michael Young’s eponymous MY, and Paul Cohen’s 2021 iF Design Award-winning Black Hole.

Their latest creation, the Eye of Horus from the X Series, may lack the designer name association found in some of their previous releases, but it highlights CIGA Design’s meticulous attention to detail and precise self-winding engineering, all offered at an accessible price point.

In contrast to its complex transparent design, the back-to-front skeleton-style automatic mechanical watch maintains simplicity in the hours, minutes, and seconds complications department. Instead, the focus of CIGA Design’s newest masterpiece revolves around the Eye of Horus, an ancient Egyptian symbol representing energy, power, healing, and luck.

Operated as the second hand, the triangular motif rotates and illuminates with a radiant green glow at night. Encased in a lightweight bioceramic case, the watch invites admiration for its movement, providing a 360-degree view of the inner mechanics. Those new to horological collections will appreciate the self-winding movement, eliminating the need for regular manual winding.

The watch’s ancient Egyptian theme is subtly emphasized by the obsidian crown, a small touch that ties together the overall motif. The only notable drawback is the somewhat lackluster silicone strap, but it can easily be replaced to better match the original design.

The CIGA Design Eye of Horus is available in Black, Rose Gold, and Silver on Indiegogo for an introductory price of $199, with retail prices set to increase to $270 in February 2024.