CIGA Design's EDGE Collection: A Revolutionary Take on Watchmaking
CIGA Design has been making waves in the watch industry since its debut in 2016, challenging the traditional concept of wristwatches as mere timekeeping devices. With a focus on raw mechanics and architectural design, the brand has earned 17 international design awards, including the prestigious GPHG Challenge Watch Prize. Now, they've expanded their EDGE Collection, showcasing a diverse range of models that put exposed mechanics at the forefront.
The EDGE Collection embodies the brand's "Nothing to Hide" philosophy, showcasing the inner workings of each watch with structural honesty. This approach is particularly appealing to collectors who appreciate the raw, architectural beauty of watchmaking. The collection features three main product families: Hunter, Vector, and Falcon, each offering a unique take on industrial design.
The Hunter Line: A Flagship Collection
The Hunter Tourbillon is the flagship model of the EDGE Collection, boasting a tonneau-shaped case crafted from Grade 5 titanium. Its dimensions of 41.50mm by 47.45mm provide a lightweight yet durable wrist presence, with a micro-sandblasted aesthetic that masks scuffs and scratches. The curved sapphire crystal offers a clear view of the skeletonized architecture, showcasing the tourbillon cage and twin-barrel arrangement.
Powered by the manual-wind Tourbillon Calibre CD-011, this model offers a substantial 72-hour power reserve. The hands and indices are treated with dark green Swiss Super-LumiNova for legibility against the complex movement. The Hunter Tourbillon is available for US$1,999.
The Hunter Automatic Titanium shares the same architectural blueprint but features an automatic movement, making it more accessible for daily wear. It retains the lightweight wrist presence and skeletonized dial, with a 40-hour power reserve and dark green Swiss Super-LumiNova for visibility. Priced at US$899, it's an attractive option for those seeking a balance between style and functionality.
The Everyday Edge: Hunter Automatic Steel
The Hunter Automatic Steel takes the collection's skeletonized design to a heavier, more industrial level. With a slightly larger case size of 43mm by 48mm, it offers a satisfying heft on the wrist. The model features a 316L stainless steel case, polished chamfers, and micro-sandblasted planes, showcasing the self-developed automatic Calibre CD-07. The mechanical layout remains visually stunning, with green Nemoto Super-LumiNova for low-light visibility.
Priced at US$599, the Hunter Automatic Steel is an excellent choice for those seeking a robust, everyday watch without compromising on design.
Retro-Inspired Elegance: Hunter Automatic Vintage
The Hunter Automatic Vintage adds a retro-inspired twist to the EDGE Collection's modern formula. With a 43mm by 48mm tonneau case, it's machined from 316L stainless steel and features sand gold, rose gold, and brown gold treatments. The design team has created a classic look that contrasts sharply with the modern mechanics beneath the curved sapphire crystal.
Mechanically, it's identical to the standard steel version, powered by the skeletonized self-developed automatic Calibre CD-07. The Vintage edition upgrades the luminous material to dark green Swiss Super-LumiNova for better nighttime legibility, and its water resistance is bumped up to 50 meters. Priced at US$599, it's a stylish choice for those who appreciate a vintage aesthetic.
The Falcon: A Rounded Take on Exposed Mechanics
If tonneau cases aren't your style, the Falcon offers a more traditional round case. With a 43.5mm diameter and 9.5mm thickness, it features open-worked lugs and symmetrical crown guards, providing a clear view of the skeletonized dial. The Falcon is driven by the self-developed automatic Calibre CD-02, offering a 40-hour power reserve and dark green Swiss Super-LumiNova for visibility.
Priced at US$499, the Falcon is a versatile and stylish option, proving that exposed mechanics can work just as well in a circular design.
The Vector: Racing-Inspired Diversity
The Vector takes a racing-inspired approach, offering the most materially diverse option in the EDGE Collection. It's available in three case options: 316L stainless steel, Grade 2 titanium, and forged carbon fiber, all measuring 44.5mm in diameter. The Vector features a bold, rounded case topped with a domed sapphire crystal, giving the movement a unique floating appearance.
Powered by the self-developed automatic Calibre CD-02X, this model offers a 38-hour power reserve and dark green Swiss Super-LumiNova for low-light visibility. The robust case construction guarantees 50 meters of water resistance, and all Vector variants come on a durable, woven-patterned fluororubber strap with a quick-release system.
Priced at US$699 (steel), US$899 (Grade 2 titanium), and US$1,099 (forged carbon fiber), the Vector is a high-performance, stylish choice for those who appreciate a diverse range of materials.
A Striking Conversation Piece
CIGA Design's EDGE Collection is a testament to the brand's commitment to pushing boundaries in watchmaking. By putting the inner workings on full display, they've created a genuinely diverse lineup of mechanical watches, each with a strong visual identity centered on mechanical honesty. Whether you prefer a lightweight titanium tourbillon, a rugged steel daily wearer, or a race-inspired carbon design, the EDGE Collection offers something for every enthusiast of industrial design.
In my opinion, CIGA Design has successfully crafted a collection that challenges traditional Swiss styling without compromising on quality or affordability. The EDGE Collection is a hard one to ignore for anyone seeking a striking conversation piece that combines raw mechanics with architectural elegance.
