The CIGA DESIGN Time Cipher invites a different way of reading time - not through static numerals, but through motion that gradually reveals itself. At its core is a wandering-hour display set against a Super Black dial, creating a watch that encourages a slower, more deliberate interaction with time.
Inspiration & Design
The wandering-hour complication traces its origins back to 17th-century night clocks and early pocket watches, before being reinterpreted by modern independent watchmakers.
The Time Cipher distils this history into a restrained, contemporary form. Rather than layering complexity, it focuses on a single controlled gesture: motion that quietly reveals the passage of time.
A central wandering assembly traces the minutes, while a rotating disc reveals the hour against a fixed reference point - allowing time to unfold fluidly rather than in rigid increments.
Dial & Case Details
At the centre of the dial, the wandering mechanism sweeps the minutes across a defined arc. The partially skeletonised minute arm is finished with Côtes de Genève, while the hour disc combines openworked architecture with alternating polished and satin surfaces.
The dial itself is finished in Super Black, absorbing up to 99.3% of light. This creates a near-total visual void from which the motion of the display emerges, enhancing contrast and legibility.
Raised, CNC-engraved minute indices catch light subtly at the edges, guiding the eye inward toward the moving elements.
The stainless steel case offers a clean, balanced frame - defined by clarity and understated elegance. A slim 11.8mm profile, lug-less architecture, and domed sapphire crystal further enhance the sense of depth and refinement.
Movement & Mechanics
Powering the Time Cipher is the CD-08 calibre, a self-developed automatic movement based on the Miyota 9000 architecture.
Re-engineered to support the wandering-hour complication, it maintains reliability while enabling the smooth progression of the display.
The result is a stable mechanical rhythm that complements the watch’s contemplative time display.
Bracelet/Strap & Wearability
Despite its conceptual display, the Time Cipher wears comfortably. The lug-less case allows it to sit naturally along the wrist, while the slim profile keeps the overall presence refined.
In stainless steel, the watch feels more neutral and versatile - balancing its unconventional display with a familiar material execution.
Final Impression
The Time Cipher in stainless steel presents a clear and considered interpretation of the wandering-hour complication. It balances mechanical heritage with modern restraint, offering a design that reveals itself gradually over time.Technical Specifications
Technical Specifications
Case size:
45mm
Case material:
Stainless steel
Case back:
Sapphire exhibition caseback
Movement type:
Automatic
Movement no.:
In-house movement CD-08
Power reserve:
Approx 42hrs
Dial:
Super black; integrated wandering hour display with SuperLuminova on the hour and minute discs
Glass:
Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Water resistance:
5ATM
Strap type:
Strap
Strap material:
Black fluororubber
Buckle:
Hidden clasp
Warranty:
2 years
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