Ciga design Mount Everest China 65th Anniversary Showcases First Automaton Watch Display

Table of contents:

Expedition history meets automaton engineering: With a nod to the first Chinese team to ascend the globe’s most iconic mountain range, featuring grade 5 titanium and in-house calibre, We deep dive into our review of the Ciga design Mount Everest China 65th Anniversary

Summary

With a focus on skeletonisation, minimalism and the winner of 17 international design awards, multiple Red Dot, iF Design, and German Design accolades, the brand has only been on the scene a decade.
They were catapulted into the limelight via their 2021 GPHG Award for The Blue Planet. In 2022, they received an official induction into the permanent collection of the Museum of Art and History in Geneva.
Established in 2016 by industrial and graphic designer Zhang Jianming, the brand is present in 100-plus territories. Renowned for models like the Hunter Tourbillon, this latest release is a tribute to the treacherous “Second Step” journey to the top of Mount Everest.
The dial is composed of original Everest bedrock, collected in person and carved by the team at Ciga Design, introducing a technical feat of watchmaking mastery and a one of a kind piece, as unique as a Zenith Defy Extreme Glacier
Illustrating the exact scene of Liu Lianman's "human ladder" at the near-impassable Second Step, the figure scales to the top of the watch twice a day at 12pm and midnight, symbolising a true symbol of endurance and resilience.

Climbing to the top of any summit involves will, more patience than President Xi meeting Donald Trump, grit and a sense of achievement.

Take the infamous Rolex Explorer, inspired by the 1953 ascent to Mount Everest which saw Tenzing Norgay and Sir Edmund Hillary adorn Rolex Oyster Perpetual watches.

The first professional timepieces, they took on the landscape…and conquered it.

Fast forward seven years to May 1960, and a Chinese expedition team including Liu Lianman took on the great wall of rock and craziness with a sense of purpose. To successfully make history, as the first human climb from the North Slope.

And this is their legacy.

This is a story to rival The Odyssey…and one for the ages. A tale of resolve, resourcefulness and sheer perseverance emblazoned on a watch, we review the Ciga design Mount Everest China 65th Anniversary edition.

What Is The “Human Ladder” Story?

Liu Lianman was a Chinese mountaineer, famous for contributing to the first successful Chinese expedition to climb the treacherous Second Step on the North Face of Mount Everest in 1960.

Using their own bodies and facing an altitude of around 8,500 meters, composed of ice and rock, team members Wang Fuzhou, Qu Yinhua, Liu Lianman, and Kompu faced this near 100 foot almost vertical rock face that had thwarted previous explorers.

Amid freezing temperatures, strong winds, steep cliffs and a lack of oxygen at high altitudes. During the expedition, Liu Lianman and his fellow climbers faced a major obstacle near the summit.

With an average gradient of 40 degrees, they needed to climb an almost impassable rock wall that even birds can’t pass.

However, they could not find a safe way to reach the top. Liu made a remarkable sacrifice to help his teammates. He stood against the rock and allowed another climber to step on his shoulders.

In this way, his body became a “human ladder”, enabling his companions to climb higher.

Liu himself was exhausted and regrettably could not continue to the summit. However, his selfless action helped the other climbers overcome the obstacle.

Mind Over Matter

To ensure no sharp points from Qu Yinhua’s boots did not collide dangerously with Liu, he removed them, climbing in just socks. After reaching the summit, he secured ropes so that the other team members could follow Qu up.

Unfortunately, this proved to be costly as Qu experienced severe frostbite, eventually losing all of the toes on his feet. As for Liu Lianman, he was overwhelmed with tiredness and remained back while the other three carried on.

Nevertheless, he saved sufficient oxygen that he was able to share among his teammates after returning from the top. His indescribable courage showed that mountaineering is not only about personal achievement but about teamwork, sacrifice and concern for others.

The story of Liu Lianman’s human ladder is a powerful example of determination and unselfishness, embodied in the representation of this timepiece.

Personality Of The CIGA design Mount Everest China 65th Anniversary

Embedded in history, time telling is told yet again in our view in a genuinely ingenious way as the brand goes from strength to strength in the design stakes.

The pinnacle, you might say, of the first Chinese expedition to Everest in 1960 is encapsulated in what we are calling part three of this particular collection. But is it comparable to say The Dark Knight Rises, released in 2012 as the third movie installment, based around Batman?

Measuring 45mm x 13.6mm, there is significant wrist appeal in abundance due to the automaton display, no doubt about it. However, by way of its lugless framework, it does wear But with the lugless framework it does wear a few millimetres slimmer.

Although this airs on the side of Panerai dimensions, this does not detract from its industrial, rugged presence the brand is renowned for. To give you perspective, it is the same size as an IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Eight Days (IW510103) and 6mm thicker than a Richard Mille RM055.

Composed of grade 5 titanium, the epic scene to the top of the Second Step is outlined in detail, thanks to intricate CNC micro-engraving. Let’s face it, the only recent one I can recall of note is the astounding Patek Philippe ref. 5249R-001 “The Crow And The Fox” released at Watches and Wonders 2026.

But this is stretching into the hundreds of thousands of pounds…

This is what makes this rather an interesting value prospect. There is a textured charcoal grey dial with a rudimentary ruggedness to it. This is down to the bedrock, gathered from the northern foothills of Mount Everest.

Taking 30 days to produce, laser and cut it is evident no stone is left unturned concerning the visual architecture. It may not be Metiers D’Art that Vacheron Constantin is adept at executing, but it’s certainly a dazzler.

The mountain appearance is a reminder of what’s just gone into the timepiece. Let us explain for a minute the visual spectacle we have on the dial surface.

There are four miniature figures, Wang Fuzhou, Liu Lianman, Gongbu and Xu Jing who were the team members participating in the 1960 Chinese expedition to Everest, the first of its kind to access the mountain via the North Face.

These figures are CNC machined at 7 where they recreate the momentous assault on the “Second Step” , an upward portion of mountain rock, starting approximately at 28,000 feet that resulted in a vertical cliff face.

The task was daunting.

Nonetheless, Liu Lianman stepped forward to introduce a “human ladder” where other climbers would climb on to his shoulders in a bid to reach the top. He was subsequently pulled forwards in order to continue the pursuit to ascend this most colossal of mountains.

Everest Bedrock Dial

Ascending to the top, twice in every 24 hours, it is this clever automaton that sets the scene perfectly around what took place in May 1960.

After the highest figure ascends to the top at 12pm and midnight respectively, it restarts the cycle five minutes thereafter. As the grain is constructed of the bedrock, no two watches will be exactly the same.

Note the highest machined figure begins his difficult climb off the shoulders of Liu Lianman, edging closer and closer to 10pm. After this time period, the climber then begins descending back to his shoulders, in the space of five minutes, ending at five minutes past midnight.

Look, it’s a novel way of reinterpreting time down to the tiniest bit of information, showing Qu Yinhua barefoot as per the narrative, wearing nothing more than thin socks. His boots, eagerly positioned at the side of the other figures.

There is an unusual pair of hands with the hour indicator represented in all silver with a red tipped hand corresponding to the minutes.Both are given a generous dose of Super-LumiNova and the Everest logo, situated at 12.

While legibility may be an issue for some enthusiasts, one must consider the overall thematics of this release. Weighing less than 100 grams, other highlights include a 6mm crown, radially polished bezel, 50 metres of water resistance and black rubber deployant strap.

As if there wasn’t enough information and commemorations, last year, a mountaineer and longtime friend of the brand ascended the mountain via the North Ridge. And on his wrist? The CIGA designed Mount Everest China 65th Anniversary.

In a full circle moment, at precisely 10:30am on May 24, 2025, with prevailing winds and reduced oxygen, the unthinkable happened.

He managed to ascend the 8,848.86 metre summit, six and a half decades after China’s first ever mountain summit attempt.

Anniversary Crest And Embossed Itinerary

Supple, breathable and flexible, there is an Easter egg laying on the strap.

There is a set of embellished highlights located at the side based at 12 o’clock, featuring a brand logo with a distinctive crest, marking the Chinese Everest Expedition from the North Ridge in 1960.

The number “65” is visible between the circular relief depicting the mountain, capturing the true essence of this incredible ascent. Furthermore, there is a complete route map of this significant trek, outlining every single point of interest, according to altitude.

This is far more than an ordinary map; it plots out the Everest North Ridge from 5,200m to the 8,848.86m summit in sculpted relief.

Portraying tenacity, strength and pure grit, it resonates with the climbers enduring quest of limits and relentless journey of challenge

Official Specs - CIGA design Mount Everest China 65th Anniversary

Case Diameter	45mm
Case Thickness	13mm
Dial	Everest Bedrock (black)
Case Material	Grade 5 titanium
Strap	Black fluororubber, hidden butterfly clasp in grade 5 titanium
Lug Width	22mm x 24mm (Tapered)
Hands	Axe-shaped Silver (hours) Red tip (minute hand)
Crown	6mm (CNC grooved)
Crystal Type	Sapphire
Wrist Circumference	140mm - 205mm
Water Resistance	50 metres / 5 ATM / 5 Bar / 165 feet
Super-Luminova	Yes, Swiss Super-LumiNova®C1

Did You Know?

Born in Tianjin, Liu Lianmen was actually a fireman. At 4:20am on May 25th 1960, his team members finally arrived at the Second Step…nineteen hours after setting off.

Calibre CD-10

Pulsating within the Ciga design Mount Everest China 65th Anniversary is their own in-house Calibre CD-10.

To have a self-development movement enhances the value proposition tremendously. Beating at 3Hz, there is an open sapphire caseback that has something rather special written on it.

With enough storytelling to fill a whole Roald Dahl collection, there is a symbolic sentence from Liu Lianman that has been etched into the grade 5 titanium at the moment when he assisted his team members across the infamous Second Step;

“No matter how hard it is, keep going! Step on my shoulders!”

A battle of will and resolve, this is testament to the level of determination and detail both brand and explorer have gone to, ensuring an unforgettable if discreet expression of time. This is also inscribed in Chinese.

There is a 42 hour power reserve and a daily accuracy of 10 to +30 s / day. Although not quite on the level of COSC models from Tudor or Breitling, you will be paying at least triple the price for the privilege.

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Other highlights on the caseback on the perimeter that’s engraved include;

CIGA Design Original
AUTOMATIC
TITANIUM CASE
WATER RESISTANT 5ATM

Official Movement Specs

Country of Manufacture	China
Movement Description	Self-developed with Automaton
Movement Type	Automatic
Number of Jewels	21
Daily Accuracy	10 to +30 s / day
Vph	21,600 (3Hz)
Power Reserve	42 hours
Functions	Hours, minutes

Where Can You Buy A CIGA Design Mount Everest China 65th Anniversary

Presented on a black fluororubber black strap, you can pick up this celebratory edition for;

1699 USD
1482 EUR (Approximately)
1272 GBP (Approximately)

For further information, please visit their official website. If you would like to discover more or want to know how to purchase one, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Prices correct September 2026

What’s Our View?

There’s no denying independent brands are having their moment in the horological spotlight.

For example, we have just witnessed Geneva Watch Days 2026 with more than 70 brands taking part, presenting standout launches from Atelier Wen featuring hand tremblage, and Bvlgari’s collaboration with Vianney Halter.

But what makes a launch? Storytelling, heritage and distinctiveness. And the Ciga design Mount Everest China 65th Anniversary hits the nail on all those heads. By the way, creating their inaugural automaton is no mean feat.

Then there’s the self-developed calibre CD-10, unique dial forged from Mount Everest bedrock and embossed route relief on the strap, evoking the epic journey from base camp, taken on the North Ridge to the summit at 8,848.86 metres.

Representing the enduring pursuit of ascent and limits, it appears there doesn’t seem to be many when it comes to the brand’s unmistakable innovation and design language.

Conclusion

What began its journey as the Everest Central Tourbillon has stepped up a notch, thanks to this latest release that will certainly keep the Swiss on alert.

Forget (for a second) the brand was awarded the Challenge Watch Prize at the 2021 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) for its Blue Planet execution.

Although grade 5 titanium is an excellent choice for its ultra-lightweight properties, to play devil’s advocate, the power reserve is three times less here when compared with the Central Summit series, housing calibre CD-05…120 hours vs 42 hours, respectively.

Though the former still has a better tank than French Haute Horlogerie brands like Pequignet, which boasts 96 hours. So what’s the bottom line?

We are talking about legacy, first ever automaton watch display, which you won’t find ten to the dozen and clever dial work that is fastidious to its purpose.

As far as the future is concerned, it seems to me they are carrying on their journey, reaching (or should that be scaling!) new heights in the field of watchmaking

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Images: Unless otherwise specified

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