Four years on, Horologer MING is proud to present the spiritual successor to the 19.02 Worldtimer – with all the processes and refinements they have developed in between, and a new movement – MING 29.01 Worldtimer.
Liquidity: an overarching concept
29.01 is the first of the watches in this series, with a new organic form and smoothly flowing lines. There is no bezel, but instead the top crystal merges into the case body with no steps and plays the role of a bezel. Continuing this idea, the dial is also seamless: cities, indices and hands appear to float at different levels over a 24-hour disc with blue to black gradient representing day and night.
We accomplished this by making the entire metallic dial rotate. Which was achieved by mounting it on a peripheral ball bearing track. The blue hues, and slow, subtle change as the hours advance make for a very serene timekeeper, and there is of course our trademark inversion thanks to the use of a sapphire upper dial, as well as sapphire hands. Both are laser-etched and filled with HyCeram X1 for great luminosity and night time visibility.
An unconventional case
The MING 19-series case was intended to show off the movement sandwiched between two glass boxes; for the all-new 29-series case we have taken this concept even further. It is both physically larger at 40mm, as well as much visually larger due to the lack of bezel and 34mm dial. Short lugs keep the watch comfortably wearable on a wide range of wrist sizes.
A deep sapphire box on the front serves as both crystal and bezel; it is bonded seamlessly to the grade 5 titanium case body. This case body carries the upper portion of the flying blade lugs that are a key feature of our second generation design language and shared with the 27-series and 20-series. Here they are polished and with an interlocking groove that keys into the caseback. This is secured with four Torx screws and also appears seamless from the underside. A polished top and bottom finish to the lugs contrasts with the matte texture of the case sides, with dynamic sculpting continuously blending lug surfaces with case body.
Second generation movement
Schwarz-Etienne’s microrotor automatic has been given a thorough overhaul and is also visually very different to previous versions thanks to an all-new bridge design by MT. It is even more open, airy and transparent, with many unique features that bring it in line with our latest design language. The barrel is fully skeletonized and more open than previous versions for easier determination of state of wind; plates and bridges are DLC coated with contrasting diamond cut anglage; the rotor guard is a whimsical four-level ‘staircase’ with anglage, and the rotor itself is a little larger with a new organic shape for higher winding efficiency. It remains tungsten as this is higher density than 18K gold, but is coloured to match the going train and balance. The microrotor also has a new mounting and ceramic ball bearings for increased winding efficiency.
An all-star cast of partners
As with all flagship pieces, the 29.01 Worldtimer is a great example of a strong group of partners coming together: Manufacture Schwarz-Etienne for movement, and assembly; Jean Rousseau for straps and Studio Koji Sato for finishing pouches. It remains our continuing privilege to work with such a capable team.
Pricing and deliveries
The MING 29.01 Worldtimer is available at www.ming.watch. It is priced at CHF 19,500, with a 50% deposit and the balance due on delivery. This variant will be produced in an edition of 100 pieces, with deliveries beginning March 2024.
MING 29.01 Worldtimer Technical Specifications:
Functions:
- Hours and minutes o World time function o Automatic winding via microrotor
Case, dial & hands:
- 40mm diameter, 11.9mm thickness
- Grade 5 titanium
- Polished and blasted ‘flying blade’ interlocking lugs
- Deep box sapphire crystal front with bezel-less construction; domed rear crystal; both with double-sided antireflective coating
- Sapphire dial with HyCeram ceramic Super-LumiNova X1 fill
- Metallic 24h disc with day-night gradient and Super-LumiNova X1 fill
- Sapphire hands with HyCeram ceramic Super-LumiNova X1 fill
- 50m water resistance
- 22mm lug width
Movement:
- Schwarz-Etienne for MING Cal. ASE 222, 31 jewels
- 30mm diameter, 5.6mm thickness
- Bidirectional automatic winding via micro rotor
- Skeletonized barrel DLC coated bridges with contrast rhodium diamond cut anglage
- ~70h power reserve at full wind
- Movement adjusted to five positions
Straps:
- 1x Dark Blue Alcantara strap by Jean Rosseau Paris
- 1x additional Jean Rousseau strap of the customer’s choice
- 22mm width, curved bars with quick release
- Fitted with stainless steel ‘tuck’ buckle with micro adjustment
Leather travel pouch handmade in Kuala Lumpur by Studio Koji Sato
2-year limited mechanical warranty
Made in Switzerland
Pricing :
- CHF 19,500 with 50% deposit for confirmation
- Deliveries expected to commence March 2024
- Edition of 100 watches, available exclusively via www.ming.watch
MING continually aims to improve product where possible to improve aesthetics and functionality; to this end we reserve the right to make minor changes prior to the final delivery
About MING:
Horologer MING was founded and funded by six enthusiasts from around the world under the leadership of Ming Thein, a photographer, designer, business strategist and above all, a lover of watches. Together, the MING team draws from extensive collecting experience ranging from vintage to avant-garde; from quality affordables to six-figure commissioned independent pieces.
Our goal with MING has always been to make the watches we ourselves want, and to bring back that sense of excitement and discovery through deliberation and refinement in every detail while also delivering value beyond the price point. We neither pretend to have history nor are we burdened by it. We will be the first to admit that we don’t build in-house but rather on the strengths of dedicated partners like Manufacture Schwarz-Etienne, Agenhor and Jean Rousseau. All our watches are assembled, regulated and tested in Switzerland, with final quality control completed personally in Malaysia.
MING is our way of sharing our experience with enthusiasts – budding aficionados and seasoned collectors alike – who want to discover watchmaking substance beyond brand. We are proud to have our efforts recognized at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, with multiple finalists and the 17.06 Copper winning the 2019 Horological Revelation prize.
In 2021 we also launched the Special Projects Cave, an invitation-only program to create small runs of experimental pieces that are concept-driven and unencumbered by regular production constraints or economics. 2022 saw the fifth anniversary of the brand, our 50th reference, and the beginning of our third generation design language.
We’re always happy to hear from fellow enthusiasts – please contact us at hello@ming.watch, and follow our journey @mingwatches on Instagram.
MING is a registered trademark in Switzerland and Malaysia and represented by Horologer MING SA in Switzerland and Horologer MING Sdn Bhd in Malaysia.