Side by side

CIGA Design TIME CIPHERvsVario Empire Tachymètre Chronograph

The numbers, the dial colors, the calibers — laid out so you can stop flipping between tabs.

TIME CIPHER
CIGA DesignTIME CIPHER
MSRP $899
Empire Tachymètre Chronograph
VarioEmpire Tachymètre Chronograph
MSRP $328

At a glance

13 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
TIME CIPHER45mm
Empire Tachymètre Chronograph38mm
Power Reserve
TIME CIPHER42h
Empire Tachymètre Chronograph40h
Water Resistance
TIME CIPHER50m
Empire Tachymètre Chronograph50m
MSRP
TIME CIPHER$899
Empire Tachymètre Chronograph$328

Full specifications

Case

6 specs
Category
Skeleton
Chronograph
Diameter
45mm
38mm
Thickness
11.8mm
11.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
38mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel

Crystal & Dial

2 specs
Dial Color
Carbon
Black
Lume
Swiss Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

4 specs
Caliber
CD-08
Seiko VK64 MecaQuartz
Type
Automatic
Quartz
Power Reserve
42h
40h
Jewels
24
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$899
$328

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What people say

Owners + reviewers, side by side

Synthesized for each watch independently from owner discussions, enthusiast forums, written reviews, and video reviewers.

CIGA Design TIME CIPHER

The CIGA Design TIME CIPHER is praised for its fun and conceptual execution of a wandering hours display, offering a unique spectacle in a slim and wearable 45mm case. Reviewers highlight its intuitive complication, comfortable strap, and the striking "Super Black" dial designed to make the moving elements appear to float. The CD-08 automatic movement, based on the Miyota 9015, provides a 42-hour power reserve, with stated accuracy of -10 to +20 seconds per day. Some legibility challenges are noted due to the stencil-style numerals between 15 and 45 minutes past the hour. Overall, reviewers consider the CIGA Design TIME CIPHER a compelling and well-executed conceptual watch offering a good balance of spectacle and wearability at its $899 price point.

Vario Empire Tachymètre Chronograph

The Vario Empire Tachymètre Chronograph is praised for its elegant, art deco-inspired multi-layered dial and comfortable leather strap. Owners note its 38mm diameter, 46mm lug-to-lug, and 11.5mm thickness, along with a sapphire crystal and 5 ATM water resistance. Criticisms include the use of different fonts for sub-dial and perimeter markers, and the absence of a traditional running second hand. Overall, owners appreciate the Vario Empire Tachymètre Chronograph for its distinctive dial design and comfortable wearability.

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