Side by side

CIGA Design TIME CIPHERvsZelos Helmsman 3

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

TIME CIPHER
CIGA DesignTIME CIPHER
MSRP $899
Helmsman 3
ZelosHelmsman 3
MSRP $529

At a glance

14 of 29 specs differ
Diameter
TIME CIPHER45mm
Helmsman 340mm
Power Reserve
TIME CIPHER42h
Helmsman 340h
Water Resistance
TIME CIPHER50m
Helmsman 3200m
MSRP
TIME CIPHER$899
Helmsman 3$529

Full specifications

Case

7 specs
Category
Skeleton
Diver
Diameter
45mm
40mm
Thickness
11.8mm
11.5mm
Lug-to-Lug
40mm
Lug Width
22mm
20mm
Material
Stainless Steel
316L Stainless Steel
Water Resistance
50m
200m

Crystal & Dial

3 specs
Crystal
Sapphire
Domed Sapphire
Dial Color
Carbon
SS - Frost
Lume
Swiss Super-LumiNova
None

Movement

3 specs
Caliber
CD-08
Miyota 9015
Power Reserve
42h
40h
Jewels
24
25

Pricing

1 specs
MSRP
$899
$529

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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.

Zelos Helmsman 3

Owners widely praise the Zelos Helmsman 3 for its exceptional finishing and polishing on the titanium case, with some noting it feels nicer than previous models. The unique Titanium Crystalline Dial and Damascus Titanium dial are frequently highlighted as aesthetically pleasing and head-turning features, especially considering the price point. The brushed beads of rice bracelet is described as fitting well, and the on-the-fly clasp is considered amazing. Lume is also noted as great, with lumed crowns being a positive observation. However, some owners report the watch can feel top-heavy with sharp edges, making it uncertain as a daily driver for some. The meteorite bezel is seen by one owner as not adding significant value, and the stock strap's keepers and stitching were considered to detract from the watch's appearance.

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