Introducing: The Ming First Anniversary 17.03 Ultra Blue And Blue Editions

August 15, 2018

Ming, a Malaysia-based micro brand that manufactures watches in Switzerland, has been around for only a single year, but in that time it's made a name for itself among the horological cognoscenti through great word-of-mouth and by producing watches of unimpeachable value proposition, such as the $900 17.01 manual-wind, time-only watch. Ming was formed by six passionate watch collectors and is spearheaded by its namesake, Ming Thein. A physicist by training, Thein wears, and has worn, several hats besides running his year-old watch venture. He's a commercial photographer, the chief of strategy at Hasselblad, and a former M&A and private equity guy. And, of course, he's a watch collector. In its young life, Ming Watches has already released three core references: the time-only 17.01, the 19.01 with an upgraded 100-hour mechanical movement via Schwarz-Etienne, and the 17.03 GMT. In celebration of reaching the one-year mark in business, Ming is introducing two limited edition versions of its Sellita-based GMT. Technically speaking, these watches are very similar to the 17.03 that Jack first wrote about in February. The more interesting of the new limited editions is 17.03 Ultra Blue, which comes with a stunning grade 2 titanium case blued by hand by Ming Thein himself. Because each of these 25 pieces is blued by hand, no two are exactly the same, and will evince varying shades of purple, cyan, and dark blue. The crowns are hand engraved, and the luminous blue sector dial is fitted with Super-LumiNova-filled hands. Each watch comes with one Jean Rousseau Alcantara strap with a matching heat-blued titanium buckle. Ming includes two additional nubuck straps (anthracite and dark chocolate) as well as a travel pouch supplied by ThirtyFour Bespoke of Kuala Lumpur. Unfortunately, according to Ming, there's already a waiting list to get one of these watches. The Ming 17.03 Ultra Blue case is heat blued by hand by Ming Thein himself. The second limited edition, of which 125 will be made, is the Ming 17.03 Blue. With its standard grade 2 titanium case, it's decidedly less "Ultra" than the other new limited edition, but there is an option for a titanium quick-release bracelet. It also comes with two nubuck straps and a pouch by ThirtyFour Bespoke. Orders for these 125 pieces can be placed directly through Ming online starting today. Initial Thoughts The Ming 17.03 Blue has a more conventional grade 2 titanium case. From the moment I first saw a Ming watch about a year ago, when it was on Jack's desk for a review, the design caught my eye. If you look carefully at these watches, ?something you are bound to do if you end up buying one and wearing it, then you start to see the levels of detail that are built upon each other. I was impressed with C and I mean this as no slight to either brand C a look that struck me as something Laurent Ferrier might make if he were interested in crafting an affordable, ETA-based watch. The Ultra Blue is such an interesting watch because it is so unusual as to be unique in its price segment. Who else has made a blue metal case that looks anything like the Ultra Blue? DeBethune, perhaps? Alas, the Ultra Blue, with its CHF 2,500 price tag and limitation to 25 pieces, has already filled up its waiting list, so chances are you won't be getting one if you are reading this post. The 17.03 Blue, however, is available, and orders will be taken starting today.? The Basics Brand: MingModel: 17.03 GMT Ultra Blue and BlueDiameter: 38mmThickness: 9.8mmCase Material: Fire blued grade 2 titanium or plain grade 2 titaniumDial Color: BlueIndexes: Luminous sector dial Lume: Hand and sector dial trackWater Resistance: 100-meter water resistanceStrap/Bracelet: 17.03 Ultra Blue: Jean Rousseau alcantara strap, nubuck strap with matching heat-blued buckle, two nubuck straps; 17.03 Blue: two nubuck straps and optional grade 2 titanium bracelet The sector dial is formed by luminous hour numerals connected to the track. The Movement Caliber: Sellita SW 330-1 GMT, top gradeFunctions: Hours, minutes, GMTDiameter: 25.6mmPower Reserve: 42 hoursWinding: AutomaticFrequency: 4 Hz (28,800 vph)Jewels: 25Additional Details: While not chronometer certified, these movements are adjusted in five positions and subjected to a 250-hour internal testing program Pricing & Availability Price: CHF 2,500 (17.03 Ultra Blue:), CHF 1,525 (17.03 Blue with two straps), CHF 1,825 (17.03 Blue with two straps and matching bracelet)Availability: Available today (though the 17.03 Ultra Blue already has a waitlist)Limited Edition: 25 pieces (17.03 Ultra Blue), 125 pieces (17.03 Blue)For more click here.