Editor’s note: Ming continues its stellar 2021 run with the new Ming 37.05. For our standard detailed hands-on reviews, please head to our dedicated reviews section here.
Gut Reaction – New Ming 37.05
“The moon is the accomplice of all things related to the heart,” said Walter Mercado.
Remember when you were a child and thanks to a long rainy day you had were forced to sit inside the house? And just when you had given up all hope of being taken out for a play, dark clouds would part and a big ball of night light would slowly shine?
At first, the sky would reveal a patiently forming crescent, and the pitch dark street would magically light up providing just enough vision for you and your parents to enjoy the surroundings.
Like an accomplice of all things related to the heart, the stealth-like dark blue dial of the new Ming 37.05 comes to life revealing its nuances slowly but surely. The child in all of us ‘adults’ wakes up, staring in awe at the beauty that the new Ming 37.05 is.
Subtly but surely the bright lume of the peripheral ring, the hands, and the rather unique enchanting display of the moon phase display 6‘o clock begins to strum at the strings of your heart.
Ming’s press release refers to this as a watch “for the lunatics”. I would say it’s a watch for those who seek to not over-complicate their lives and would love to own a timepiece that’s simplistic, stylish, and makes use of a midnight blue to black gradient dial that acts as a wonderful night-sky-esque backdrop to the beauty of the lume.
Suffice to say, I am in love with the new Ming 37.05.
It was love at first sight, and if it wasn’t for the lack of funds plight, I would have mustered up all my might, to ensure I got a piece of this limited 500-piece run of celestial delight.
What’s Special – New Ming 37.05
This new Ming 37.05 takes this Malaysian-Swiss brand to the bright lights of moonphase watches with aplomb. Not only is this their first timepiece with a moonphase display, but it also for the first time introduces a date complication for the brand, courtesy of the Sellita SW288 movement.
One of the most appealing aspects is the execution of the dial: multi-layered sapphire dials form the architecture, with the apertures for date and moon occupying the lower layer textured metal dial.
The next layer sees the hour indices — laser etched, and filled with HyCeram — and a central mask for the moon to mirror the peripheral ‘minute’ ring.
Like the textures on the gradient blue dial are revealed over time, the date window housing the greyed date hides the date in plain sight.
I also appreciate that just because it’s a moons-phase complication dress watch it doesn’t skim on daily wearability: the 38mm diameter and only 11.9mm thickness ensure it’s wearable for those with slim wrists; a welcome 100m water-resistance means it can actually be taken out of you watch box without thinking if you should avoid washing your hands that day or not; the 20mm lug inter-horn spacing and the use of curved bars with quick release mechanism means that watch enthusiasts have the option of swapping out straps with ease; the strap itself is fitted with their 3rd generation ‘flying blade’ stainless steel buckle with a micro-adjustment feature that allows easy adjustments on the fly; and the composite metal and laser-etched sapphire dial is legible no matter what time of the day it is.
At the end of the day, this only 38mm watch with its sexy and futuristic flying blade lugs features a very Ming-esque dial with a very versatile colour-way and a useful date complication along with a pristine clean — maybe even more blemish-free than the moon itself — moon phase complication.
From a casual watch enthusiast to a serious collector to even royalty — especially in the Middle eastern part of the world — this almost divine-like masterpiece of a time telling enigma is too good to be real.
The Engine – New Ming 37.05
The new Ming 37.05 makes use of a modified Sellita SW288 movement, the calibre MING 288.M. This 25.6mm diameter and 5.65mm thick features anthracite skeletonized bridges with contrast rhodium circular brushing, offers central moon phase indication and date, both with quick set mechanism via crown, and a 38-hour power reserve.
In true Ming style, this manual wind movement is very nicely decorated, and the watch as a whole for only 4’950 CHF is almost a bargain.
That’s All Folks!
No matter where you stand in your appreciation for the brand, just like the quote “aim for the moon; if you miss, you may hit a star”, even if this is not your cup of tea, the new Ming 37.05 presents with a win-win situation. It may or may not be your ideal moonphase timepiece, but it sure is a star amongst the watches it competes with.
Takes my breath away – the new Ming 37.05 charters its own moon course and rings out 2021 with an interstellar date with 2022.
The new Ming 37.05 unsurprisingly surprises.
To find out more about the new Ming 37.05 or to try to order it, please head directly to www.ming.watch. Deliveries are expected to commence from July 2022. Edition of 500 watches, available exclusively via www.ming.watch from 25 November 2021. Orders are on deposit basis with a 50% deposit required for order confirmation. All images unless otherwise specified are © HOROLOGER MING 2021. Make sure to check out our reviews of Watches & Wonders 2021 releases here.