Ciga Design Brand Review for New Zealand Watch Buyers in 2026

The Chinese manufacturer CIGA Design was established in 2013, and in 2022 it became the first chinese brand ever to win a GPHG award when its model Blue Planet won the prize. The company’s watches are now sold in more than 40 countries and have been awarded more than 16 international design awards.

For New Zealand buyers, the brand offers the advantage of design and value. The only potential drawback is the shipping time from China, plus the fact that warranty servicing requires the watch to be sent overseas for repair.

About Ciga Design

CIGA Design brand was established in 2013, in China. Since its founding, the company has been striving to introduce modern design to the affordable watchmaking industry. In 2022, Blue Planet won the category prize at the GPHG from five other nominations and became the first Chinese watch label to receive this honor.

Other Awards Worth Mentioning

CIGA Design has 16+ design awards across:

• Red Dot Design Award

• German Design Award

• iF Design Award

• Asia Design Award

That's a real trophy cabinet. It shows the brand actually takes design seriously.

Is CIGA Design Legit?

Yes, it's legit. CIGA Design isn't a random reseller pushing generic watches on Amazon. It's a real watchmaker with its own factory, designers, and custom movements in some models.

Things That Make It Legit

• Runs its own factories in China

• Has regional websites (cigadesign.com, cigadesign-europe.com)

• Real customer support team at support@cigadesign.com

• Develops its own movements (the Blue Planet hand-wound calibre is its own design)

What to consider before buying:

• Some buyers mistake it for low cost Chinese OEM watches in the market

• Older storefronts are poorly rated and can impact first impressions.

What About CIGA Design Watch Quality?

This is where the brand actually shines for the price.

Case Materials

Typically 316L stainless steel is used for most models. It's the same metal used in the watches that are three times as expensive. Enhancements to premium models include grade-2 and grade-5 titanium in the Blue Planet II and Series Z Hunter. Titanium watches are lighter and more of an ‘upscale' feel on the wrist.

Watch Glass

Nearly every watch over NZD $400 has a sapphire crystal. Sapphire is the second-hardest material after diamond. It won't scratch from daily wear. Cheaper brands usually use mineral glass, which scratches quickly.

The Movements Inside

Japanese automatic watches are used in most CIGA watches. They are manufactured by Miyota, 8215 and Seiko, NH-series. They both have a reputation for reliability and portability for service around the globe. The Blue Planet gets a custom hand wound movement instead. That is a definite improvement over standard motors.

Glow in the Dark (Lume)

The watch lume is either Super-LumiNova C3 or BGW9, both of which have a green or blue shade and are not as bright as on the best diving watches, but they are still enough for everyday use.

How's the Build Quality?

It is good to see that finishing has improved each year. The brand gets a lot of praise from independent Ciga Design NZ reviews and their scores are typically 90/100+ for design and build. For this level of finish, which is rare at sub NZ$500, the title is apt.

Quick Look at the Main CIGA Models

CIGA Design Trustpilot Reviews

Main Storefront Score

Ciga Design has a rating of 4 out of 5 stars from the 21 verified Ciga Design reviews. Most customers appreciate the design, packaging, and the fact that it is a "luxury" watch.

Older Storefront Score

The old website has a "Poor" of 2.2 according to the TrustScore where the majority of the 10 reviews complain about the company's delay in shipping and responsiveness.

UK Storefront Score

The brand’s UK website has a 3.5 rating but with only one review. So it's not enough data to conclude the review.

Bottom Line on Trustpilot

When you search "CIGA Design trust pilot review", don't trust the first number you see. Always check which storefront you're buying from. The new website  is the safer pick based on real review volume.

CIGA Design Customer Reviews Beyond Trustpilot

Reddit Threads

The r/Watches and r/ChineseWatches subreddits have hundreds of owner posts. The experience is mixed:

• Owners love the design quality for the price

• In Ciga Design shipping reviews, Complain about slow shipping to their address 

• Owners report inconsistent support during Chinese holidays

Shipping to New Zealand

This is the part most NZ buyers don't love.

Why It's Slow

CIGA Design ships from warehouses in Shenzhen, China. Standard delivery to an NZ address takes 10–18 business days. If NZ Customs decides to inspect the parcel, add another 2–5 days.

When It Gets Worse

Expect delays during: 

• The holidays/Christmas season (mid Nov – mid Jan) 

• Chinese Singles’ Day (11 Nov) & the weeks following 

• Chinese New Year (Spring Festival - late Jan/ Feb, sometimes earlier or later

Customs and GST

• Parcels over NZD $1,000: duties prepaid at checkout

• Parcels under NZD $1,000: GST (15%) may be added on arrival

• Tracking is included, but updates can be less between China and NZ

Plan ahead for any time-sensitive purchases and be sure to visit the Coupondopa NZ website to check any active offers so that you may lower your shipping cost. 

Warranty and Returns

Warranty 

The most Ciga Design warranty reviews are positive since CIGA Design gives a 2-year international warranty. It only covers manufacturing defects.

What's NOT Covered

• Water damage 

• Cosmetic damage from drops or scratches

• Mods done by anyone other than CIGA

• Any claim without proof of purchase

How Warranty Works for NZ Buyers

You send the watch back to the Asia-Pacific service centre in Shenzhen. They repair it. They send it back. The procedure usually takes 6–10 weeks. Please note that you will have to pay the shipping fees for both ways.

Returns Window

You have 15 days from delivery to return a watch. Here's what you need:

• Watch must be unworn

• Original packaging intact

• Return shipping covered by you

• Refund minus the original shipping cost

Is CIGA Design Worth It?

Let's be honest about both sides.

What You Get for Your Money

• Award-winning design pedigree at a half of Swiss watch prices

• Sapphire glass and titanium cases at sub-NZD $1,000 pricing, which is rare

• Real automatic movements, not quartz hiding under a "mechanical" label

• Real 2-year manufacturer warranty backing the watch

• Good value across every tier: entry, mid, and flagship all punch above their weight

What Costs You Peace of Mind

• 10–18 day shipping from China is slower than buying from a local NZ stockist

• Warranty repairs mean sending the watch overseas, which is inconvenient

• Trustpilot scores swing based on which storefront you order from

• Smaller NZ authorised dealer network than major Swiss brands

• Support team does not respond during Chinese public holidays

Moreover if you wish to cut the cost on your first order, a verified Ciga Design Discount Code can drop the total and helps you to save more while you shop.

Final Verdict for Kiwi Watch Buyers

For most Kiwi buyers, CIGA Design is worth it. The Blue Planet, Magician, and Series Z lines compete with watches costing 3–4x more. If design pedigree matters more to you than local service convenience, then Ciga Designs are worth your purchase.

Moreover, if you value quick local servicing and good resale value more than appearance, a Seiko or Citizen that you can purchase through an NZ authorised dealer will serve you better. They are more expensive but it comes at a faster speed to repair and offers  better returns.