Launched in the tail end of 2020, the Ming 19.05 rounded off an emphatic year for the then three-year-old Malaysian indie watchmaker as they rose to prominence as one of the most sought-after brands in the watchmaking industry. The last model within the 19.XX series, the 19.05 is limited to just 15 pieces and waves off the collection by embracing Ming's central tenants and remaining rooted within Ming's now-iconic aesthetic.
Made of titanium and featuring a 39mm x 10.9mm case, the 19.05's construction is immediately reminiscent of Ming's typical designs with a double-stepped bezel and discreet flourishes in the form of its flared pagoda lugs – a piece of design that has become emblematic of Ming's aesthetic. Blending polished and brushed finishing throughout its surfaces, the 19.05's case acts as a stunning sandwich through which its dial and movement are protected by sapphire crystals.
As is typical for the higher-end Mings, the 19.05 is powered by Schwarz Etienne's cal. ASE 200.1 – a micro-rotor-powered automatic movement with skeletonized bridges, matte-blasted 5N rose gold coating, and hand-polished anglage. As has become a signature piece of Ming movement design, the cal. ASE 200.1 also sports an open-worked cover for its barrel, providing the wearer with a visual impression of how wound up their watch is. On a full wind, the cal. ASE 200.1 features 72 hours of power reserve.
Besides its case design and open-worked movement, the 19.05's most characteristic piece of typically 'Ming' design is its solid opaque sapphire crystal dial with Ming's traditional chapter ring design. Laser-cut from the sapphire crystal dial, this chapter ring, alongside the bezel and hand tips, is filled with ceramic Super-LumiNova X1 that provides an extremely long-lasting and bright shade of blue when found in low-light conditions. Fitted to Ming's Universal Bracelet and provided with a handmade leather strap crafted by famed strap maker Jean Rousseau Paris, the 19.05 is a worthy farewell to the legendary 19 series.
