Being an independent watch brand is no easy feat. Taking on the Swiss juggernauts in a time when the market is saturated with different watches and having the odds stacked against you is something most would run away from. I mean, just look at the number of independent brands over the years that have come and gone, who just couldn’t make it, and either sold out to a bigger brand or just vanished completely.
That being said, if there was a shining light, a name that has defied the odds, through truly original thinking and an unwavering desire for quality, it would have to be MING.
Established in 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ming Thein founded his eponymous brand intending to create a watch that satiated his obsessive desire for perfection while maintaining a price point that was fair and accessible. Being associated with the watch industry for many years through both his passion and his profession as a commercial photographer, he managed to build up a vast knowledge of watchmaking and design, culminating in the launch of his very own watch brand.
The 19.01 is the second model released after the 17.01. It was developed and built without regard for cost, born from the MING team's vision of the ultimate daily wearer. Designed to embody all the elements of an ideal MING timepiece, the 19.01 is distinctive, robust, and practical, showcasing the signature design choices we’ve come to expect from this beloved independent brand.
Starting with its construction, we have a 39mm x 10.9mm grade 5 titanium case that has been milled to receive the very special movement that can be found within. This method eliminates the need for spacer rings and allows the caseback to be received directly into the case. Both sapphire crystals have been given a double anti-reflective coating and possess a shouldered profile, giving them the name “box” crystal.
The dial of the 19.01 is stunning in its looks and something truly original. Traditionally, the glass and dial are separate components, but here in the 19.01, they are seamlessly integrated through layered sapphire. The top sapphire layer features a fumé finish in deep shades of blue and purple, opaque at the centre and gradually becoming more translucent toward the edges. This design subtly reveals a glimpse of the remarkable movement within, even before you turn the watch over to examine the caseback.
Contained within the 19.01 is a MING-exclusive version of the Schwarz-Etienne MSE100, now called the MSE100.1. Featuring two skeletonised mainspring barrels which deliver 100 hours of power reserve, a two-tone anthracite bead-blasted finish, and skeletonised bridges, the MSE100.1 is a special movement for a very special watch. Featuring gorgeous and meticulously executed anglage throughout, the MSE100.1 is the perfect movement to combine its own mechanical excellence and beauty with the visual complexity of the 19.01’s construction.
Undoubtedly a flagship model in its own right, the 19.01 represents MING’s bold investment in themselves as both designers and watchmakers in their early days. It’s a testament to their vision and ambition, embodied in a truly exciting timepiece. I do think that in the future, these ‘first-generation’ Ming pieces will begin to be more and more appreciated.
