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 independent brands within the watchmaking industry. As the final curtain-call model within the 19 series, the 19.05 was limited to just 15 pieces and waved off the collection by fully embracing MING's central design tenets and remaining rooted within their now-iconic aesthetic.
Crafted from grade 5 titanium and featuring a 39mm x 10.9mm case, the 19.05's construction is immediately reminiscent of the brand’s familiar blueprint 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 their aesthetic. Seamlessly blending polished and brushed finishing throughout its surfaces, the 19.05's case acts as a stunning sandwich-like construction through which its dial and movement are protected by sapphire crystals.
As with most of MING’s higher-end creations, the 19.05 is powered by the Schwarz Etienne Cal. ASE 200.1—a micro-rotor automatic movement featuring skeletonised bridges, a matte-blasted 5N rose gold coating, and hand-polished anglage. In true MING fashion, the movement includes an open-worked barrel cover that subtly reveals the state of wind, offering both function and visual intrigue. When fully wound, the Cal. ASE 200.1 delivers a 72-hour power reserve.
Beyond its futuristic case architecture and intricate open-worked movement, the 19.05’s most quintessentially ‘MING’ element lies in its solid, opaque sapphire crystal dial with a signature laser-cut chapter ring. This chapter ring, together with the bezel markings and hand tips, is filled with ceramic Super-LumiNova X1, producing an exceptionally bright and enduring blue glow in low-light environments.
Fitted to a handmade calf leather strap crafted by famed strap maker Jean Rousseau Paris, the 19.05 is a worthy farewell to the legendary 19 series.
