If you have subscribed to ming watches then you must have received an email sometime during the last week as they announced the 19.05. Ming has been in the news for quite a while. they have emerged as a young brand with formidable quality and attention to details. They have managed to punch above their weight and compete with the established brands with their value for money offerings. Their achievement was acknowledged when they received the 2019 GPHG Horological Revelation prize. Their journey started with the 17 series which was followed by the release of the 18 series, but it was the 19 series that had turned the tables in their favour. But as 2020 comes to an end the company announced that it will be retiring the 19 series line and to commemorate the occasion they have announced a special limited edition watch. The Ming 19.05 has combined the elements of 19.01,19.02 and 19.03 alongwith some upgrades as they are set to bid adieu on a high note.
The case measuring 39mm has the signature ming design, manages to maintain a slim profile and is made out of titanium. One would be surprised to hear that the watch measures just 10.9mm in thickness including sapphire crystals on either side. The case is brushed while the bezel is polished to give it a contrast. The case asserts the well established design with the famous shape of the lugs.
While the case draws inspiration from the past, the dial gives us a glimpse of what lies ahead. The biggest aspect of the dial of 19 series that had caught our eyes were the dial markings or lack of dial markings to be precise. The watch took a fresh approach towards minimalistic dial with the indices placed in such a manner that caused a floating visual effect. Well the 19.05 goes a more traditional route where the indices are attached to the main dial surface and the empty space is filled up with Super-LumiNova. Well it might seem a step backward but the visual effects says something different. The main surface of the dial is made up of sapphire and the underside is coated in black. The indices are futuristic in design and takes simplicity to whole new level. The design divided the entire 360 degree arc into two hour segments, a departure from the traditional hourly markers. There is no seconds hand and it definitely makes the watch look cleaner. The hands are skeletonized and comes with applied lumes on their tips and in s shape that we are quite accustomed to with Ming. The watch plays with the lume as the indices and the hands are augmented with a lume gasket (between the crystal) which makes the case glow in low light.
At the heart of the watch lies the Schwarz-Etienne Cal. ASE 200.1 micro rotor automatic movement. which is manufactured exclusively for Ming. The caliber ASE 200.1 is a vintage contrast to the futuristic dial design. The main spring barrel cover is skeletonised so are the bridges. The finish is bead blasted 5N rose gold and the micro rotor is made of tungsten and has the famous guilloché pattern. The crispness in the polish of the movement captures the eyes. The engine offers a power reserve of 72 hours.
There are two strap options available to the buyer, the first one is a calf strap with curved ends coming in matte finished cobalt blue and white contrast stitching. While the second option is a five link bracelet in titanium, finished in jubilee style and has a butterfly clasp that is neatly concealed.
Personally i would go for the blue strap as the watch needs a certain sense of colour otherwise it looks too monochromatic. The bad part is that the watch is limited to just 15 pieces. The company is accepting pre-orders and delivery will begin around May 2021. The MSRP is 9,950 CHF. Ming offers high value for money, they don’t have in-house movement and they compensate that with their detailed finishing and usage of high quality materials. The finishing on the dial and the movement are class apart. I loved the way the watch changes the tone from futuristic design to vinatge look as we flip it from the dial side to the caseback. For more details visit Ming watches.
The Enigmatic Pen 