Cygnus Deneb Watch Review

The Cygnus Deneb is a watch made by the people for the people. It has an interesting design and comes in a variety of different colours. I am a big fan of affordable luxury and believe you should get what you pay for. Recently there has been a huge influx in startup watch companies, for example the new custom brands like Eoniq and Undone, but it’s rare to come across an interesting proposition out of the box with no modifications like this one coming from Cygnus.

The Deneb is a high quality piece that is set at a realistic price point and, although I like the idea of seeing the skeleton structure of the Miyota movement, the dial is very eccentric and not something I would wear as an every-day watch but it would be perfect for special occasions.

Unique Mesh Dial

The Cygnus brand is relatively new and was started with the intention of making luxury more accessible to watch lovers. The materials of this piece are of a high quality, although I feel that the hexagonal mesh actually takes away from the luxury look and gives is a sportier twist.

The hexagonal mesh gives you a look into the skeleton of the Miyota movement powering this piece which allows you to appreciate the detail and craftsmanship that goes into one of these watches. The white watch hands could have been made a bit bigger or a different colour could have been chosen to create a bit more of a contrast because they are a bit difficult to see on the dial.

The indexes are also white and, as with the watch hands, have a luminous coating. At the 3 o’clock is the Cygnus brand in print. The outside edge of the dial has a lip with the minute markers on it and this is all displayed through a double domed sapphire crystal.

The dial is black and white but also comes in a rose gold/white variation and a red/black variation.

Case

The case is made from surgical grade stainless steel that is resistant to corrosion and is also really strong. It feels quite solid on the arm which makes it feel a bit more genuine as well. The case diameter is 42mm which is quite a standard size that should fit the majority of wrists comfortably.

The design does not appeal specifically to any gender and is quite neutral in its design. The bezel on this timepiece is a polished black but also comes in a rose gold colour. The rest of the case has a brushed stainless steel finish and at the back of the case is a crystal allowing us a look at the other side of the Miyota movement. Along the outside of the caseback the disclaimers are engraved in a luxurious styled cursive font which appeals to the aesthetic feel of the Deneb.

The crown on this timepiece is a plain stainless steel domed crown. On the other models the crown colour matches the style of it and I feel like something more could have been done here. The lug width is 20mm which makes finding another strap simple if needed although the strap that comes with this watch is one of my favourite aspects of it. The smooth genuine Italian leather is very comfortable and the stitching along the edges gives it some character. The leather will wear in nicely but I do recommend that you keep it away from regular water contact if you want it to last you the lifespan of the watch.

Miyota Movement

The Citizen Miyota 8N24 automatic movement is on full display with this model and it allows us to really appreciate the attention to detail the watchmakers need when handcrafting these timepieces.

The Miyota movement keeps this piece ticking along accurately and reliably so you don’t lose time.

All of this is provided at a remarkably low price due to Cygnus operating the whole process of getting the watch to you, from the actual making of the watch all the way until it ends up at your door.

Final Thoughts

The dial of the Cygnus Deneb doesn’t really appeal to me and I think that this watch will only appeal to a specific crowd. If you enjoy the mesh dial and don’t have the same trouble as me with seeing the watch hands quickly and easily then you will be very happy with this piece. Everything about it is high-quality and the thought that went into the design is commendable. The fact that Cygnus are starting out means you’ll be getting great value for your money compared to the more established brands.

The size and strap make it possible to wear this timepiece daily without it becoming a nuisance. Any Citizen movement is always a plus point for me and I don’t think you can find many pieces with a Citizen workhorse movement without coughing up quite a bit of cash. If you’re a true watch enthusiast as I am, being able to view the movement is mesmerising and I would most likely still get this piece regardless of my gripe with the dial just because you have such a clear view of the movement.

You can visit their Kickstarter page by clicking here.