The unveiling of the MING 37.11 Odyssey marks a significant continuation of MING’s bold dive saga. As an enthusiast of exceptional horology, it is impossible not to appreciate the audacity exhibited by MING since the celebrated introduction of the 37.09 Bluefin. With the Odyssey, the brand explores the spirit of adventure and travel, presenting a timepiece that delivers impeccable function, supreme comfort, and unmistakable visual appeal.
On first encounter, the dial of the Odyssey promises immediate intrigue. Retaining the revolutionary rotating dial architecture from its predecessor, it moves the tradition forward with a bidirectional mechanism designed for tracking all 24 time zones. The dial is crafted from smoked sapphire, hovering between transparency and opacity, offering tantalising hints of the movement beneath. Artistic nuance permeates this space: the 24-hour markers are colour-coded to depict the passing of day and night, a crisp blue signifying daytime, contrasted by a vivid orange marking the hours after dark.
Luminous applications abound, employing MING’s Polar White indices set into the upper sapphire crystal, and hands treated for a sophisticated gradient effect using Super-LumiNova X1. This clever play of materials and light ensures that the Odyssey dazzles with a unique vibrancy when the sun sets, rewarding the wearer with a dial that is truly alive in low light.
The heart of the timepiece, its movement, is no less intriguing. MING has equipped the Odyssey with the SW330.M2 calibre, developed in collaboration with Sellita to meet the brand’s demands. This automatic movement, with an estimated power reserve of circa 50 hours, features a skeletonised anthracite mainplate, bridges and rotor, amplifying the spectacle visible through both the smoked dial and the display caseback. Hacking seconds guarantee precise time setting, while the independently adjustable GMT hand empowers the user to track an additional time zone with minimal effort, a subtle yet essential tool for explorers and cosmopolitans alike. The engineering is robust, precise, and refined, much in keeping with MING’s modernist horological philosophy.
Turning to the case, the 37.11 Odyssey exudes rugged elegance. Constructed from grade 2 titanium and finished with a subdued brushed treatment, the case not only enhances the watch’s sporty character but also keeps its weight admirably low at just over 42 grams for the head alone. The dimensions of 38mm in diameter, 12.6mm in thickness, and 44.5mm lug-to-lug ensure outstanding wearability regardless of wrist size.
The front and rear are both adorned with domed sapphire crystals, treated with double-sided antireflective coating to maximise legibility and aesthetic purity. The clever architecture balances pressure beautifully, making it reliable even at 300m depth, with crowns at two and four o’clock further refining the interactive experience. These crowns are sharply colour-coded and luminous, hinting at MING’s flair for combining practical solutions with visual panache.
The MING 37.11 Odyssey elegantly distils the essence of exploration, tradition, and innovation. The distinctive smoked sapphire dial, use of colour, and extensive luminous treatments hint at the brand’s obsession with the properties of light, a recurring theme in the atelier of Ming Thein. Technical details are harmonised with aesthetics: the skeletonised SW330.M2 movement ensures reliability while satisfying the inquisitive observer; the titanium case offers resilience and refinement; and the playful yet precise use of artistic crafts solidifies the Odyssey as an evolving experience rather than a static object. This piece reflects MING’s enduring commitment to horological discovery, rewarding those who seek excitement and depth in their wristwear, and further cements the brand’s reputation for blending advanced mechanics with aesthetic innovation for the modern connoisseur.
MING will create 150 of the MING 37.11 Odyssey for this year with orders opening on 11 November at 1PM GMT. Watches will be available at www.ming.watch or via the authorised retail partners with pricing for each configuration being:
- CHF 4,950 on our Slate FKM rubber strap
- CHF 5,500 on our Grade 2 titanium universal bracelet
- CHF 5,950 on our revolutionary Polymesh
