Establishing oneself as an independent watch brand is no small undertaking. In a market greatly saturated with a vast array of watches and dominated by longstanding Swiss watchmaking juggernauts, the odds are typically overwhelmingly stacked against newcomers. I mean, it is clear, history has shown that many independent brands have struggled to survive, with some absorbed by larger conglomerates and others quietly disappearing altogether.
That said, if there’s one brand that has truly defied these odds through original thinking and an unwavering commitment to quality, that would be MING. Established in 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ming Thein founded his eponymous brand with the intention of creating watches that satiated his obsessive desire for perfection while maintaining a price point that remained fair and relatively accessible. With years of involvement in the watch industry, both as a passionate enthusiast and as a professional commercial photographer, he amassed a vast knowledge of watchmaking and design, culminating with the release of the inaugural 17.01 in 2017.
The 37.04, the watch featured here today, stands out as one of my personal favourite MING models to date. It was first released in 2022 as part of the brand’s invitation-only Special Projects Cave program—an initiative launched to celebrate MING’s 5th anniversary at the time, with a focus on creating unique, ultra-limited pieces. Following the critical acclaim of the initial release, MING introduced a follow-up version of the 37.04, this time in an even more exclusive run of just 25 pieces. Unlike the original black-dial variant, this edition showcases a mysterious and striking purple guilloché dial, housed in a brilliant 38mm × 11.9mm tantalum case. Notably, it also marks the brand’s first use of this captivating metal within its esteemed lineup of offerings.
For context, tantalum itself is an uncommon material in watchmaking. This greyish-blue metal has a darker hue than steel, platinum, or white gold, and is more commonly used in medical and dental applications due to its biocompatibility and corrosion resistance. However, it is notoriously difficult to machine, which explains its limited use in watchmaking. As a result, only a select few timepieces have featured tantalum in their construction, most notably the F.P. Journe Chronomètre Bleu, the Omega Seamaster Tri-Metal, select Audemars Piguet Royal Oak models, and now, the MING 37.04 Monopusher Chronograph.
Looking at this, the 37.04 is truly a technical masterpiece. It is a monopusher chronograph powered by a movement originally made famous by legendary watchmakers François-Paul Journe, Vianney Halter, and Denis Flageollet, who famously employed it in the Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir. In line with this, the design team at MING successfully sourced a batch of these movements, then set about extensively reworking and refining them specifically for the 37.04. In other words, the movement encased here within the 37.04's ultra-dense tantalum case is a significantly improved version of the original, meticulously reworked by La Joux Perret in La Chaux-de-Fonds to MING’s exacting specifications. As shown in the photos, the new skeletonised bridges are coated in classical-grained 5N rose gold and showcase hand-polished anglage—a distinctive finishing style also found on MING’s 19.02 and 19.05 models. Regarding its power reserve, the newly reworked La Joux Perret 5000.M1 can hold a charge of up to 38 hours on a full wind.
Just like the black dial variant, the stunning purple guilloché dial is also a highlight on its own. It is produced by Comblémine SA under the guidance of dial maestro Kari Voutilainen, renowned for crafting some of the industry’s most exquisite dials. This dial features an intricate pattern beneath a sapphire layer, revealing a multi-level design with a pulsometer, tachymeter, and minute track—all accented with Super-LumiNova X1 inlays. The chronograph minute counter is recessed seamlessly into the metal dial itself. It’s simply remarkable how the team managed to tastefully combine all these elements—each of which, on paper, seems like a lot—into a design that is both visually stimulating and coherent. The result is a stunning dial with immense visual depth, as expected from MING’s exceptional design prowess and sensibilities.
True to MING’s signature style, the 37.04 boasts a distinctive case with the brand’s signature flared, twisted lugs, enhanced by a combination of textured finishes that further add subtle depth and refinement. At 3:00, you’ll find that the specially engineered Grade 5 titanium crown seamlessly integrates a monopusher button, offering a satisfyingly tactile response with each press. Completing the package is a comfortable rubber strap, secured by a brushed Grade 2 titanium keeperless tang buckle and equipped with a quick-release mechanism for effortless strap changes on the go.
As with most of MING’s creations, this is a truly stunning piece to wear on the wrist. It is compact, refined, and full of character. With only 25 pieces produced worldwide, this variant of the 37.04 is an exceptionally rare and coveted offering, and we're genuinely delighted to offer one for sale on the site today.
