• Men's Watches

CIGA Design Series Z Review: The Skeleton Watch That Changed My Mind

Why I Was Skeptical of a Budget Skeleton Watch

An affordable skeleton watch from a Chinese watchmaking brand wasn’t exactly on my radar this year, but to be fair, I’ve never been a big fan of skeleton watches in the first place, let alone one from the lower end of the pricing tier.

Skeleton watches are horological masterpieces, often with open work dials that show off the mechanics of the caliber hard at work inside the case.

Because they’re so complex, skeleton watches aren’t often associated with entry-level brands, but when they are, they’re cheaply made and don’t typically have impressive mechanics to show off in the first place. Let’s dive into my CIGA Design Series Z review.

 

Meet the CIGA Design Series Z

Enter CIGA Design. Gather your thoughts on what a skeleton watch made in China might look like and throw it out the window. The GPHG award-winning Chinese brand is challenging the industry’s point of view on budget skeleton watches with the polarizing Series Z.

In doing so, they’ve managed to pull off the unimaginable: successfully executing the skeleton concept for under $500.

First Impressions: Weight, Size, and Build Quality

So what were my first impressions as someone who isn’t really a skeleton watch kind of guy? Well, for starters, the photos don’t do the watch justice.

The sleek case design elements and intricate skeleton dial are certainly eye-catching – lots of wow factor, that’s for sure – but what really caught my attention was the choice of titanium for the case.

Titanium watches are usually lightweight, which is why most collectors buy titanium watches in the first place, but that isn’t the case here with the CIGA Design Series Z.

It actually has a nice heft to it, which I appreciate because most of the titanium watches I’ve worn feel a little bit too light, and I like to feel something on my wrist.

I was also worried that the watch would be too big for my wrist at a whopping 48mm along the length of the case. However, CIGA Design kept the profile relatively sleek at just over 12mm thick, which helps the case sit nicely on the wrist.

Overall, the fit and finish were way more precise than I thought for a watch at this price point.

Unboxing Experience

I’ve already had the pleasure of reviewing and unboxing two other CIGA Design watches, and I’ve got to say the Series Z did not disappoint. The box opens up like a book, immediately drawing your eyes to the main attraction – that remarkable skeleton dial.

Just from the packaging alone, I could tell that CIGA Design was proud of what they’ve accomplished here with the Series Z. It wanted to create a memorable experience for the wearer.

Specs and Style: The Richard Mille Comparison

This wouldn’t be a complete CIGA Design Series Z review without specs. As lovely as the packaging was, it was even more exciting to examine the Series Z in detail.

The general specs include a robust 48mm by 40.8mm case, water resistance up to 30m, and the celebrated Seagull self-winding mechanical movement with a convenient 40-hour power reserve.

With its long case and exposed movement, the watch-collecting community is already abuzz with comparisons of the Series Z with, of course, Richard Mille – even going as far as calling it “The Poor Man’s Richard Mille.”

While I see the connection and I think CIGA Design has done a great job creating a unique identity for the Series Z, it’s not an RM.

Still, if you love the bold aesthetic of an RM but don’t have a millionaire’s watch budget per se, well, the CIGA Design model is an excellent way to dip your toes into the skeleton watch pool.

Design Details That Stand Out

Additionally, the way the Series Z plays with shapes and lines throughout the case sets this model apart from other options on the market.

For example, long slots run down each side of the case, mirroring the skeleton design of the dial.

Hexagonal screws that appear purely cosmetic are placed along the slots at the 2, 4, 8, and 10 o’clock positions to possibly help the wearer find the hour markers, which I must say camouflage quite a bit with the dial.

The crown guards follow the shape of the curved case and are so sleek that they almost resemble chronograph pushers. While eye-catching, this design makes it hard to get to the small crown.

However, the crown itself is knurled – it’s easy to turn once you get a good grip on it.

Strap Options and Wearability

I also have to commend CIGA Design for the design of lugs and straps. They made it easy to swap the straps and make this watch your own with 22mm lugs and quick-release spring bars – big thumbs up there.

I’m not a fan of the leather strap and feel like a watch with this much personality shines on the sportier orange option.

Right out of the box, the orange silicon strap feels supple, and a funny little tidbit: the keepers on this strap have little pips on the underside that fit into the strap holes to keep them in place.

I really appreciate that detail.

The Movement: Seagull’s Custom Caliber

The Series Z is powered by a custom Seagull self-winding mechanical caliber. The company knew all eyes would be on this movement, and it shows.

The components are nicely finished for a watch at this price point and are skeletonized to ensure a clear view of the intricate dance of the gears, coils, and the other components inside the case.

I love that I can observe the visible release catch and watch the mainspring coil when the crown is wound. It is mesmerizing just to sit and watch the Series Z Seagull movement do its thing.

Dial Legibility and Design

Of course, the Series Z also sports an exceptional skeleton dial. As one would expect, legibility is a concern with this watch, but it gets easier to read over time once your eyes get used to the layout.

CIGA Design employs high-precision laser engraving to create the hour markers and places them on a higher plane in the dial for better legibility.

And it wouldn’t be a proper skeleton watch if the hands weren’t also skeletonized – they can also be tricky to see, but the red bits and small lumed inserts on the end of the hour and minute hands help remedy this issue.

Who Should Buy This Watch?

So who is this watch for? The Series Z collection is on brand for CIGA Design, a company that often pushes the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. If you appreciate the company’s unique design approach, this watch is definitely for you.

This watch is also for anyone who appreciates a nicely executed skeleton dial or the finer workings of a mechanical movement, for that matter.

Of course, I would be remiss if I forgot to mention the insanely attractive price point for the level of craftsmanship involved in the Series Z.

Skeleton dials are a relatively new phenomenon in modern watchmaking, even though the concept technically dates back to the mid-1700s.

Watch This Review

Final Thoughts

That’s it for my CIGA Design Series Z review. So what are your thoughts on skeleton watches? Are they too busy and illegible, or do you appreciate the depth of an open work style? I think it’s safe to say that CIGA Design has changed my mind about what a budget skeleton watch can be.

Of course, I would love to own a higher horology skeleton watch like the Grand Seiko Constant Force, but with options like the Series Z now available, I can appreciate a well-made skeleton watch without shelling out hundreds of thousands of dollars. That is certainly a trend I can get behind.

I’m Chris from Cookie Buzzle. Thanks for joining me, and I’ll see you on the next one.