You’ve Never Seen a Watch Like This: CIGA Design ‘Blue Planet II: Atlantic’ Review

As seconds rush invisibly past, the world slowly rotates — continents arc in an inexorable procession that not only defines the hours of a day, but also the very existence of time itself.

Whoa.

But it gets better. That’s not just poetic abstract thought — it’s actually a description of CIGA Design’s latest timepiece, the Blue Planet II: Atlantic. Instead of hands sweeping around an unmoving face, a concave hemisphere of Earth spins within a rotating minute dial, all set within a static hour dial.

The effect is both familiar and novel — some elements of telling time remain the same, but most of it requires a new perspective on the simple wristwatch. It’s a follow-up to the brand’s award-winning 2021 timepiece, the original Blue Planet, which literally put China on the map of horological prestige.

CIGA Design sent me an early sample of the Blue Planet II: Atlantic, and it’s been my daily wear for the last month. It’s given me new perspective on the purpose and appeal of a watch. Though it’s not a fit for all or every occasion, it’s a dazzling wardrobe addition for gear enthusiasts and watch connoisseurs.

In short: The CIGA Design Blue Planet II: Atlantic is no field watch. Quite the opposite, this watch is not intuitive for at-a-glance time reading. Fortunately, it commands more than a glance, capturing the full attention of anyone who so much as glimpses it. It’s as beautiful as it is clever. As a style piece, it’s unrivaled. And once you learn how to read it, its efficiency reveals itself — though it could benefit from a couple of small readability tweaks.

CIGA Design: Blue Planet II Atlantic Review

If you don’t recognize the CIGA name, you’re probably not alone. Relatively new to the watch market, CIGA Design launched in 2016 in China.

But it quickly shed the prevailing preconceptions about Chinese timepieces, earning a selection to the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG, aka the Oscars of watchmaking) in 2019. And in 2021, it won a GPHG award for the debut Blue Planet, making it both the first Chinese manufacturer to be selected and to win.

I previously tested the somewhat hypnotic Eye of Horus watch — a skeletal design with an Illuminati twist. But the Blue Planet remained a timepiece like none other.

Design & Construction

The follow-up Atlantic edition differs primarily in its perspective. Being a Chinese watch, the original Blue Planet understandably focused on the eastern hemisphere, with Asia, northern Africa, and the yawning expanse of the Indian Ocean.

Blue Planet II flips the Earth on its axis and showcases North America, Europe, northern South America, and the Atlantic Ocean — hence the name.

The case comes in two case variants, titanium (46mm) or stainless steel (43mm or 46mm). Both carry a dramatic, domed sapphire crystal.

Movement

The unrivaled star of the show here is the time display and unique movement. The CNC-machined globe carries a compass rose — this points to both the hour and minute at any given point.

Ringing the outside of the globe and set within the outer hour ring is a rotating minute dial. For every 30-degree arc the globe makes between hours, the minute ring will complete a 390-degree circuit. If it sounds complicated, well, that’s watchmaking for you.

But once you stop trying to read hours and minutes separately, it actually becomes easier. Simply look where the compass rose points. Hour indices are the same as on any clock or watch, so you can mostly intuit the hour by the compass’s position.

But you’ll have to read the minute ring, which will also align with the compass rose but “look” different from the minute markers you’re used to seeing by position alone.

This is CIGA’s in-house–designed movement. It advertises accuracy of -15/+30 seconds per day — but I’ve been shocked to show perfect time (to the minute) in the 4 weeks I’ve been wearing it.

CIGA Blue Planet II Atlantic: Tested

Getting Started

The watch arrived with a similar degree of flourish as the Eye of Horus timepiece. I won’t give away the goose, but the packaging in form and function focuses on showcasing the watch as a story. It is elegant and not ostentatious. It reinforces the attention to detail you would hope for in a $1,200-1,400 watch.

Once you’re ready to don the timepiece, you’ll notice an uncommon buckle. I hadn’t encountered a clasp like this in the past, but I found it simple to use and easier to undo.

The “fluororubber” strap is not itself a showpiece. But I found it very comfortable for all-day wear. It’s not as breathable as a fabric strap, nor as flashy as a bracelet. But it sheds moisture, is easy to clean, and shows absolutely no signs of wear.

Setting the time for the first time will offer your first practice at telling time by the Blue Planet. Pay attention to the movement of the minute ring, as that will be the key difference between setting this watch and others.

In Use

Though this watch has 3 atm of water resistance, I chose not to wear it for serious exercise. While I imagine it could withstand sweat and jostling, it really wouldn’t provide any useful info during activity. I don’t think you need to own multiple watches to enjoy this one, but it seems like most active folks would have some sort of sports watch tech or similar.

But for daily wear — fancy and casual — this watch is peerless. Everyone wants to get a closer look; heck, most want to try it on! It’s stunningly beautiful, with a perfect blue to set off the silver and black of the continents, indices, and dials. It’s not so showy as to be gauche, but it will definitely hold its own at a black tie affair.

The watch also carries sufficient lume to be seen in low light — just give it a good charge. It’s not overwhelming, but it adds some evening aesthetic appeal and a bit of utility. What’s more, without a second hand, the watch is virtually silent.

Thanks to the 40-hour power reserve, I’ve left it off for at least a full day without having to rewind it. As noted, the time has remained accurate to the minute for an entire month.

Areas to Improve

I only have one gripe — and it’s an issue CIGA has already improved since the first Blue Planet. According to the brand, the numerals on the Atlantic edition were enlarged by 105%. However, I’d love to see at least the “30” and “00” minute indices further enlarged to improve at-a-glance readability.

As it stands, when you reach the bottom of the hour (and watch face), the numerals appear upside down. So, from about 4:00 to 8:00, the minute numerals are inverted and take a good look to interpret.

Also, CIGA Design stamped its name along the lower-right portion of the hour dial, taking up the real estate where the “4” and “5” o’clock markers would be. It’s a purely personal preference, but I love balance and would like all numerals visible on the watch face.

Blue Planet Watch: Who’s It For?

It’s easy to see why this timepiece won its industry’s equivalent of an Oscar. In a category that is flooded with options at virtually every price point and for every style and taste, the Blue Planet Atlantic stands out as something that is actually unique.

While it’s an eye-catching style piece, it’s not outlandishly expensive. At $1,400 for the titanium version I tested, it’s an investment for sure, but for all its class, it’s nowhere near the highest echelons of what a wristwatch can cost.

It’s a marvel of design and engineering, and the execution is simply beautiful to behold. Sure, it’s not the prototypical “GearJunkie” watch. It’s really for those who appreciate the art and science of watchmaking, or just want to experience something truly timeless.