Unless you have lived under a rock for four years, you have probably seen and read about the CIGA Design Blue Planet. The distinctive take on a modern watch garnered excitement from watch fans worldwide and won a GPHG award in 2021. We have seen multiple versions of CIGA Design’s remarkable titanium and stainless steel creations. The Chinese brand updated the inaugural version with the improved Blue Planet II. It also released an Atlantic edition, offering a different perspective from the first models, which focused on the Pacific Ocean. But what if you take that same concept and create a version with the surface of the Moon? Enter the new CIGA Design Moon Walker.
Take one glance at the new Moon Walker, and you will instantly see the connection to the Blue Planet. For its newest creation, CIGA Design channeled the world-famous words Neil Armstrong spoke when he first set foot on the Moon. On July 21st, 1969, the American astronaut said, “That’s one small step for [a] man, one giant leap for mankind.” His words still resonate today and signify something greater than us. The Moon Walker Edition honors this historic leap with a special dial and a fun twist.
The story of the new CIGA Design Moon Walker
Although the concept is different, for the most part, the watch is the same as the Blue Planet models. The biggest difference is the dial. Underneath the heavily domed sapphire crystal, you will find a realistic depiction of the Moon.
The team at CIGA Design used NASA’s ultra-high-resolution imagery and 0.01mm CNC microengraving to bring the dial to life. Every little detail, from the textured surface to the crater ridges, is depicted ultra-realistically. And Armstrong’s iconic footprint at 0.67°N, 23.47°E is also visible on the dial. You might have to look once or twice, but it is there.
Thanks to nanolaser engraving, Armstrong’s first footprint and the Apollo 11 landing coordinates are almost invisible to the naked eye. But a loupe will reveal the great detail of these two special features on the dial. It’s a small secret reserved for each wearer as a tribute to human courage.
Another fun element that you might have spotted is the drifting astronaut with his raised arm serving as the pointer to display the time. The small precision-cast copper figurine is sandblasted, coated in vintage silver, and polished by hand. It then glides weightlessly over the lunar surface, indicating the time.
The Swiss-made automatic caliber CD-09
Practically, the watch works the same way as the Blue Planet models. Mike explained that the globe and the internal ring rotate at different speeds for the Blue Planet II Atlantic. In the case of the Moon Walker, it’s not Earth but the Moon that rotates in the center, while the little astronaut points to the inner minute ring and outer hour ring.
Responsible for displaying the time is the custom-designed, Swiss-made CD-09 automatic movement. The caliber operates at 28,800vph, has 26 jewels, and offers a power reserve of 41 hours. It’s a pretty standard set of specs, but that is not what it is about. It’s all about the special time-telling complication that enables the little astronaut to seemingly hover over the dial independently.
A lightweight titanium case for comfort
The CD-09 automatic movement sits inside a pebble-shaped 46mm lugless case. Due to the highly domed sapphire crystal, the watch has a substantial but aerodynamic 17.05mm profile. The lightweight titanium case features a high-gloss finish and a partially recessed and CNC-grooved 6mm crown on the right side. The Moon Walker also comes equipped with a 22mm black rubber strap with a titanium butterfly clasp.
Judging by what we learned from the hands-on experiences with the Blue Planet models, the new Moon Walker will also wear like a charm. The 46mm case size might seem daunting, but thanks to its lugless construction and lightweight material, it sits really well on the wrist. Additionally, the 17mm thickness may seem excessive, but don’t forget that it is at the absolute center of the watch. You will quickly forget those dimensions once you put the watch on your wrist. The CIGA Design Blue Planet series is a great, lively group of storytellers that quickly speaks to the imagination, and that will be no different with the Moon Walker.
Final thoughts on the CIGA Design Moon Walker
All in all, this watch’s story is far from new. However, it’s a great reminder of the greatest exploration humanity has ever undertaken — conquering the Moon. Plus, while the story is not original, the way that the watch tells the story is. That makes the new Moon Walker stand out in a long line of space-themed watches.
The new CIGA Design Moon Walker will be available for US$1,699 starting Wednesday, September 10th, through the brand’s official website. Until then, you can find out more about the launch on the brand’s dedicated pre-launch page. In the comments section, let us know what your thoughts are on the new CIGA Design Moon Walker.
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