Ming Watches Ming 19 01

Ming 19.01

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Defining ‘ultimate’

The 19.01 was conceived without a target price: it was a result of us asking the question: ‘what would our ultimate simple daily-wear watch be?’ It would be robust, distinctive, practical; subtle but layered and nuanced, with suitable horological pedigree. The kind of watch that could form the backbone of a collection. Above all, it should carry and advance the MING design DNA.

All key elements from the 17.01 are present, but have been taken a step further: we challenge the boundaries of transparency and skeletonization – but without seeing one’s wrist hair. Sapphire is extensively used in the case construction, and the easy to wind crown and distinctive flared lugs from the 17.01 are retained but gain additional sculpting; the ring motifs remain, and axial symmetry is preserved.

The strength of partnerships

The 19.01 continues to advance our philosophy of using ‘best in class’ partners for all aspects of our watches. It was designed by Ming Thein in Kuala Lumpur; serialized and assembled by Manufacture Schwarz-Etienne in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The straps are constructed for us by Jean Rosseau in Paris; even the travel pouch is handmade in Kuala Lumpur by local leather artisans Thirtyfour Bespoke.

A special movement

The 19.01 is powered by an exclusive version of the Schwarz-Etienne MSE100 – now MSE100.1 – with skeletonized bridges, anglage and two-tone anthracite beadblast. The barrel covers have also been skeletonized to allow the owner to easily determine the state of wind of the watch. It will run for over 100 hours when fully wound, and is adjusted to five positions; all components including the hairspring are made in-house by Schwarz-Etienne.

Uniqueness in construction and details

The 19.01’s case – in reality a thin titanium band holding the two deep-box sapphire crystals together – is made from grade 5 titanium with a mixture of mirror-polished and finely brushed surfaces. It is once again constructed without a spacer ring for maximum rigidity. A very small bezel diameter makes it visually larger than its 39mm physical diameter, but it still wears well on a range of wrist sizes as the lugs have been kept short. The dial is where the 19.01 is truly unique: it is a deep opaque blue in the center, and fully transparent at the edges to allow some of the movement’s baseplate to be seen. Made of sapphire, it has a reflective lustre reminiscent of enamel.

Both sapphire crystals carry double antireflective coatings inside and out. Hands are skeletonized and loaded with Superluminova X1, along with the ring inside the bezel that projects a soft glow onto both dial and crystal markings. We have also retained the quick release curved straps – now made to our specification by Jean Rousseau in Paris.

Functions: time only, hours and minutes
Case, dial & hands:
39mm diameter, 10.9mm thickness, grade 5 titanium
Double box sapphire crystal with double antireflective coating
Sapphire dial, radial gradient from opaque deep blue to transparent
Chapter ring, logo and rear markings laser-etched into the sapphire crystals
Polished bezel and lugs; finely brushed caseband
Hands and dial ring with Superluminova X1 fill
Rigid case without spacer rings
50m water resistance
20mm lug width
Movement:
Schwarz-Etienne for MING Cal. MSE100.1
Partial skeletonization with anthracite bead blasted bridges and anglage
Hacking function
more as 100 hour power reserve at full wind
Movement adjusted to five positions with a 250-hour test program
Straps:
20mm width, curved bars with quick release
Includes 2x calf leather straps by Jean Rosseau, Paris
All straps come fitted with signed stainless steel buckles
Will fit 160-210mm wrist circumference
Travel pouch:
Handmade vegetable tanned natural leather by Thirtyfour Bespoke, Kuala Lumpur
1-year warranty against defects
Made in Switzerland
Pre order deposits may be cancelled for a 50% refund at any time up to shipment, except in the unlikely event we are unable to deliver, for which a full refund will be made. Watches will be delivered in the order deposits were received.
Deliveries will commence in the third quarter of 2018.
MING continually aims to improve aesthetics and functionality of products where possible; to this end we reserve the right to make minor changes prior to final delivery.