This August edition of the MING/Journal is packed with updates - not only do we cover our latest release, the 20.01 Series 3, but we also have a few announcements!
Firstly, the 20.01 Series 3. It's definitely the craziest, most luminous dial we have ever made. But the dial is not the only thing we love about it. The AgenGraphe for MING movement and the 5N rose gold case with 'flying blade' lugs make the watch more than the sum of its parts. This latest release from our Special Projects Cave will also be among the first to ship with 1-year complementary WaxShield insurance against theft and 1 complimentary service with the first 5 years of ownership.
We are also proud to announce that the 37.09 Bluefin has been shortlisted as a finalist in this year's Grand Prix D'Horlogerie de Genève 2024. It features an internally rotating dial and a new sapphire process that delivers a deep blue coloured metallisation effect. It also comes with our new FKM moulded rubber strap. Find out more about the Bluefin or sign up for the waitlist here.
In addition to our latest releases, we also have a couple of important and exciting updates including the opening of our first Swiss office in La-Chaux-de-Fonds and the founding of the Alternative Horological Alliance (AHA) with our friends at Fleming and J.N. Shapiro. Find out more about MING in Switzerland and the AHA below.
While August means that summer vacation is almost ended, some of us are already dreaming about our next getaway. We do have some good news for you - our MING travel case is now back in stock and the ideal way to store and carry your favourite watches.
For those of you who ordered the 37.08 Starlight, we have been working hard on creating and polishing the glittering Aventurine dials and the first watches have shipped with more on the way!
We celebrated our 7th birthday this month - thank you to all of you for supporting our horological endeavours. Stay tuned for more surprises over the next few months ;)
ANNOUNCEMENT: MING in Switzerland and the founding of the Alternative Horological Alliance (AHA)
It's been an exciting few days for us here at MING as we made several announcements at Geneva Watch Days. Firstly, we are happy to share that Horologer MING SA will now have a new home at La-Chaux-de-Fonds.
Throughout the years, we've always strived to innovate via unique design, novel materials and new processes. As our projects increased in ambition and our supply chain grew in complexity, it became clear we would need to go beyond just partnering with experts around the world: we would need direct control over the whole process - starting with our own team and facility in Switzerland.
The work to transition operations internally began more than two years ago with moving engineering and construction in-house, which Ming Thein (MT) now manages in addition to design. Additionally, sourcing, production management and assembly are now managed internally in Switzerland. To enable these efforts, we welcome two new members to Team MING - Mauro Egermini, as Chief Operating Officer and Luc Bourgeois as Head of Production.
Mauro and Luc have been instrumental in MING’s success in their previous roles at Manufacture Schwarz Etienne and will now lead the challenge of building our upstream activities in Switzerland. In fact, the dial of the 20.01 Series 3 and our new FKM rubber strap on the 37.09 Bluefin are the first results of this more integrated MING.
This push to look beyond the conventional watchmaking industry also served as the catalyst for our second announcement: the founding of the Alternative Horological Alliance (AHA) together with our friends at Fleming and J.N. Shapiro. The AHA serves as a platform to support and promote independent watchmaking beyond established, conventional structures. In pooling resources and promoting open collaboration, the AHA enables each brand to achieve things beyond their individual constraints.
We are proud to announce the product of the first AHA collaborative project: a tantalum bracelet made by J.N. Shapiro and based on the MING Universal Bracelet design, available in 20mm curved, 20mm straight and 21mm curved versions to fit watches from all AHA members. For more information and to place orders, please reach out to us at hello@ming.watch.
IN THE NEWS: MING 20.01 Series 3
- Hodinkee - Hands-On MING's New 20.01 Series 3 Chronograph Is The Best Of What The Brand Does So Well
- Gear Patrol - I’ve Never Seen a Watch Combine These Features Before
- Forbes- MING Makes A Horological Statement In Bold Gold And Bolder Lume
BACK IN STOCK: the MING Travel Case
Created to commemorate our 5th anniversary and developed exclusively for us, the MING Travel Case has an anthracite maple veneer with a fibreglass reinforced Okoumé core for lightness and rigidity. The inside is precision cut high density foam, wrapped in royal blue microfibre suede.
It can hold seven watches and has a compartment for straps or other accessories across two levels. The slim design means the case can fit in most backpacks and carry-on luggage. It also opens flat, allowing for the top half to be used as a display or work area. While perfect for travel, the team also use it to store their watches at home.
The MING Travel Case makes an ideal holiday or birthday gift for watch collectors.
Published: 30th August 2024