Created for the 65th anniversary of China’s first ascent of Mount Everest, the CIGA DESIGN Everest China commemorates the 1960 expedition that became the first to reach the summit via the North Ridge.
At the centre of the watch is CIGA DESIGN’s first automaton complication. A miniature mechanical scene recreates the climbers’ efforts at the Second Step, where Liu Lianman used his shoulders as a foothold to help his teammates overcome the near-vertical obstacle.
Driven by CIGA DESIGN’s self-developed CD-10 automatic calibre, the climbing figure advances towards the summit, reaching it at 12:00 and 00:00 each day. It then returns to its starting position over approximately five minutes before beginning the cycle again.
Inspiration & Design
On 25 May 1960, three members of the Chinese expedition reached the summit of Everest, completing the first successful ascent via the North Ridge.
The previous day, the team had encountered the formidable Second Step at approximately 8,700–8,750 metres. When repeated attempts to overcome it failed, climber Liu Lianman offered his shoulders as a foothold, helping his teammates continue upward although he would not ultimately reach the summit himself.
The Everest China translates this moment into miniature mechanical form. Liu and his teammates are represented at the Second Step while the moving figure above them continues towards the summit.
The historical references extend throughout the watch. Its hour and minute hands take their form from mountaineering ice axes, while the 65th Anniversary relief commemorates the 1960 ascent. Liu Lianman’s words are engraved on the caseback, and the historic climbing route is reproduced across the strap.
Dial & Case
The dial is made from genuine Everest bedrock collected at the mountain’s foothills by the CIGA DESIGN team.
Because of the brittle nature of the material, CIGA DESIGN uses a production process spanning approximately 30 days. The rock is cut and laser-shaped to establish its form before CNC engraving brings out its natural grain. Variations within the stone make each finished dial inherently individual.
The black rock surface forms the backdrop for the miniature climbing scene, with ice-axe-inspired hour and minute hands positioned above it. Swiss Super-LumiNova C1 is applied to the hand tips and 65th Anniversary relief.
Rather than placing conventional indices around the dial, finely engraved notches and the sculpted edge of the case combine to form the hour markers.
The 45mm case is constructed from Grade 5 titanium, with a multi-stage finishing process involving cutting, engraving, etching, sandblasting and hand polishing. A raised sapphire crystal protects the dial, while water resistance is rated to 5ATM.
Movement
The Everest China is powered by the CD-10, an automatic mechanical movement developed by CIGA DESIGN specifically to incorporate the watch’s automaton display.
Operating at 21,600 vibrations per hour / 3Hz, the movement uses 21 jewels and provides approximately 42 hours of power reserve, with a stated accuracy of -10/+30 seconds per day.
Beyond conventional hour and minute timekeeping, the CD-10 powers the climbing automaton. The figure reaches the summit twice daily, at 12:00 and 00:00, before returning to its starting position over approximately five minutes.
Bracelet / Strap
The Everest China is fitted with a black fluororubber strap that continues the story beyond the watch itself.
Embossed into its surface is the historic climbing route, tracing the ascent from the 5,200-metre base to Everest’s 8,848.86-metre summit, together with the 65th Anniversary emblem.
The strap is secured by a 316L stainless-steel push-button hidden clasp.
Final Thoughts
The Everest China is more than a commemorative watch with Everest imagery applied to it.
Its bedrock dial physically connects the watch to the mountain. Its automaton recreates a defining moment from the 1960 ascent. Even the hands, indices, caseback and strap have been designed around elements of the expedition.
That coherence is what makes the watch particularly compelling: the mechanical complication isn't simply there for spectacle. It exists because movement is fundamental to the story being told.
In 2025, that connection came full circle. A mountaineer and longtime friend of CIGA DESIGN took the Everest China up the North Ridge and reached the 8,848.86-metre summit at 10:30am on 24 May 2025, with the watch on his wrist.
Technical Specifications
Case size:
45mm
Case material:
Grade 5 Titanium
Case back:
Sapphire
Movement type:
Automatic
Movement no.:
CIGA DESIGN CD-10
Power reserve:
Approx 42hrs
Dial:
Black; crafted from genuine Everest bedrock; ice axe-inspired hands; hour indices are fine-engraved notches integrated into case; automaton with climbing figure reaching summit at 12:00 and 0:00 - returns over approx 5 mins; stationary bezel
Glass:
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Water resistance:
5ATM
Strap type:
Silicone
Strap material:
Black fluororubber with embossed Everest climbing route
Buckle:
316L stainless steel push-button hidden clasp
Warranty:
2 years
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