With global travel finally resuming and given our last GMT was in 2018, we thought it high time to revisit the complication. It is our pleasure to present the MING 22.01 GMT, in modern and classical variants.
Diverse inspirations
The 22.01 bridges the gap between the new 37-series and outgoing 17-series, with design cues taken from both dial architecture and case design. The dial itself takes inspiration from two very different sources. Firstly, the serene Kyoto dial reflects the textures and colours of traditional Japanese gardens with placed stone and perfect moss, overlaid with the impression of water conveyed by an intermediate sapphire dial. The dial has a dark green outer chapter ring and grey centre, both with grained texture, and GMT markings in silver.
The second Gilt dial is a punchier, modern take on early brass and gilt watches. It features with a dark cyan chapter ring, dark gold centre, gilt GMT markings and grained texture.
New case, new construction
As the base metal dial is overlaid with sapphire, it exhibits our signature inversion under certain lighting conditions. During inversion, the underlying colour disappears completely, and multiple internal reflections deliver dynamic layering. The metallic GMT markings are on the top of the sapphire dial to retain legibility, and hour indices are on the underside of the top crystal in HyCeram X1 formulation. Both dials are accompanied by colour-matched GMT hands and the highly legible handset from the MING 20 Series and MING 17.09.
The 38mm case draws inspiration from both the 20-series and 37-series and features alternating brushed and polished layers; it is a monobloc construction in grade 5 titanium and without spacers, and water-resistant to 100m. The lugs retain our signature flare and feature a continuous twist highlighted by brushing that runs continuously from the case flanks through the underside of the lugs.
Movement on show
All of our watches now feature sapphire display backs and decorated movements; for the 22.01 we have chosen to use the automatic-winding Sellita SW330-2 in a black circular-grained finish with a skeletonized rotor. The intermediate crown position adjusts the 24-hour GMT hand unidirectionally in one-hour increments, and the third crown position hacks the movement and adjusts all hands simultaneously.
The MING 22.01 GMT is assembled by our partners Manufacture Schwarz-Etienne in Switzerland, finished with Barenia leather straps by Manufacture Jean Rousseau and accompanied by a leather travel pouch by Studio Koji Sato. We are also including our keeperless tuck buckle with half hole micro-adjustment for a sleek, comfortable wearing experience.
Improving access further
Following on from feedback from our last few launches, we have increased production quantities to 300 of each variant for existing customers, and a further 700 of each variant for the general public. There will be four separate ordering windows, and all will use our new ordering system with a five-minute cart hold.
Pricing and delivery
The MING 22.01 GMT is priced at CHF 3,250 for either variant, inclusive of shipping worldwide. A 50% deposit of CHF 1,625 is required for order confirmation with the balance payable before delivery.
Orders for the Kyoto dial open on 10 March at 1PM GMT for existing customers, and 11 March at 1PM GMT for the general public.
The Gilt dial will be available to order one week later on 17 March at 1PM GMT for existing customers, and 18 March at 1PM GMT for the general public.
MING 22.01 GMT Technical Specifications
Functions
- Hours, minutes
- Independently adjustable 24-hour GMT hand
Movement
- Cal. 330.M2 – based on the Sellita SW330-2
- 42-hour power reserve
- 28,800 bph (4Hz)
- 25 jewels
- Hacking function
Case, dial & hands
- 38mm diameter, 10.7mm thickness, 43.9mm lug to lug
- Case in grade 5 titanium with sapphire caseback
- Concave bezel; mixed brushed and polished finish
- Top sapphire crystal with double sided antireflective coating,
- Top sapphire with laser etched indices and HyCeram X1
- Rigid case without spacer rings
- 100m water resistance with triple crown gaskets
- Composite, three-part dial with grained finish in green-grey (“Kyoto”) or cyan-gold (“Gilt”) and matching GMT hands
- Hands coated with Super-LumiNova X1
Straps
- 1x barenia strap, handmade by Jean Rousseau Paris
- Signed tuck buckle in stainless steel
- 20x18mm, quick release with curved fitting
Leather travel pouch handmade by Studio Koji Sato
2-year warranty against defects
Made in Switzerland
Retail price CHF 3,250 inclusive of worldwide shipping
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 will mark the fifth anniversary of the brand, and our most exciting lineup to date – including reference #50!
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 Sdn Bhd (1255711-P), Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.