Growing from relative obscurity, Ming has become one of the most talked-about and sought-after independent watchmakers in the market thanks to their minimal supply, design cohesiveness, and unparalleled value for money. Released in 2019 as their most complicated watch yet, the 19.02 World Timer expanded Ming's horological offering into the upper echelons of Swiss watchmaking. With the World Timer's revered position amongst high-level complications for its genuine practicality, unique impact on dial design, and general complexity to accomplish, the 19.02 announced Ming onto the world stage, a position they whole-heartedly deserve.
As is the case with so many of Ming's designs, the 19.02's most distinct feature is its beautiful dial. Featuring Ming's signature hand and chapter ring design, the 19.02 sports a stunning gradient effect that fades from black at its center to a sandy undertone along the periphery as it exposes the movement that lies below and the chapter ring that lies on top. Placed beneath the chapter ring, written in their corresponding airport codes, are the 24 cities that represent each of the world's 24 major timezones and provide the 19.02 its eponymous utility. Highlighted by a titanium disk that rotates below them, a star placed between the 1 and 23 indicators can be used to highlight the wearer's home time.
Found amongst its list of 24 cities is Ming's hometown of Kuala Lumpur, a rarity amongst world-timers and thus a celebration of Ming's heritage and sense of pride as they go on to represent Malaysia on the world's horological stage. Beyond its dial, the 19.02 sports a 39mm titanium case design with Ming's iconic flared 'pagoda' lug design with a blend of polished and brushed surfaces across its construction and an entirely-lumed bezel.
Powered by the stunning Schwarz-Etienne cal. ASE220.1 micro-rotor movement designed exclusively for MING, the 19.02's exhibition caseback displays an assortment of partially-skeletonized rose gold plated bridges with bead blasting and hand-polished anglage. A remarkably attractive movement for a remarkably special and stunning watch, the 19.02 achieves its goal of getting Ming onto the world stage and earning the recognition they deserve.
