It’s design and functionality are both out of this world.
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I’ve seen all sorts of space watches, from a mini planetarium for your wrist to watches actually worn in outer space and on the moon.
But I’ve never seen anything quite like this.
Ciga Design, the upstart affordable Chinese brand that turned heads when it came out of nowhere to win a 2021 GPHG Award with its Blue Planet watch. That watch, which was previously reviewed in Gear Patrol, features a three-dimensional globe in the center of its dial that acts as the hour hand, working in conjunction with a rotating minute track.
It’s a clever way to tell time, and now Ciga Design has expanded upon the concept with a new space-themed Blue Planet watch inspired by those most mysterious celestial bodies, black holes.
Stare into the void
The Ciga Design Blue Planet II Black Star is a new take on the current version of the brand’s flagship Blue Planet watch, created in collaboration with Swiss-based atelier Label Noir.
The Black Star adds a black DLC coating the the lugless titanium case of the Blue Planet II, providing a better backdrop for the cosmic dial. Said dial now features a beautiful outer space design featuring a canvas of stars against a blue and black swirling pattern.
The swirls draw your eye to the center of the dial, where you’ll find a black hole resembling an endless void. The enigmatic look is achieved thanks to the use of Super Black pigment. Not to be confused with Vantablack, which is a (very expensive) carbon-based material and not a color, Super Black is a special type of paint. Nevertheless, the effect is similar, as the pigment absorbs more than 99 percent of light, resulting in a cartoonishly black appearance.
The Black Star is powered by the same Swiss-made CD-04-S automatic movement as the regular Blue Planet II, and thus, it functions the same way. The static outer track displays the hour, the rotating inner track displays the minute, and the central swirling galaxy rotates, with a large “polar star” replacing the Blue Planet’s compass as the hour hand.
That hour star is lumed, and is the only lume on the central portion of the dial. But don’t worry, both the minute and hour tracks are fully lumed — every single mark — meaning this black hole-themed watch actually puts on quite the light show in the dark.
Pricing and Availability
While their designs aren’t for everyone, Ciga Design just makes fun watches. I love what the brand is doing, and the Black Star is probably my favorite release from the brand yet.
The space-patterned dial is gorgeous — I appreciate they didn’t take the easy way out by just using a slab of aventurine — and the effect of the Super Black black hole is mesmerizing. Pair it up with the innovative, award-winning movement, and you’ve got yourself a hell of a conversation starter.
Sweetening the pot is the price. Ciga Design is a decidedly affordable watch brand, and the Black Star is no exception. The watch is priced at $1,980 on a black rubber strap fitted with a steel deployant clasp.
Ciga DesignCiga Design Blue Planet II Black Star
Specs
| Case Size | 46mm |
| Movement | Cal. CD-04-S automatic |
| Water Resistance | 30m |
