If the Ming 18.01 Abyss Idea watch is the very first thing you’ve seen from this intriguing little model, then I encourage you to take a look at earlier fashions, as a result of this one sits on a little bit of an island. However earlier than we get to that, a bit of brand name background is important to provide context to the evaluation of this watch as a mannequin with the potential to encourage a sequence run.
The Ming model is one that each watch-lover ought to concentrate on, merely for its uncommon formation and a good stage of transparency. The model is called after its founder, Ming Thein, a photographer, designer, enterprise strategist, and fervent watch aficionado.
Regardless of having 12 releases beneath its belt already, the corporate remains to be extremely lean. Six watch fans energy the mission to supply items that may enchantment to these within the know. I take advantage of that imprecise demographic classification intentionally as a result of, as persistently impressed as I’ve been with the model’s output to date, there’s nothing by any means constant in regards to the value factors. Consequently, the audience is difficult to pin down — apart from the truth that these timepieces enchantment to lovers of high quality, that’s.
Constant High quality
When the model first launched in 2017, it debuted with the very inexpensive Ming 17.01 ($900), and one may need imagined that the optimistic reception to that mission would have inspired Ming Thein and his staff to maintain working that value level. An skilled staff like this (boasting over 80 years in watchmaking amongst them) has an enormous benefit over new, greener microbrands trying to work the tender underbelly of the posh market. It will have been comprehensible for Ming to stay static, and easily milk the will for glorious high quality at an inexpensive value.
Nonetheless, for the discharge of the Ming 19.01 and the Ming 19.02, the model employed Schwarz Etienne actions. This, from the attitude of horological curiosity, was a terrific transfer. It elevated these two fashions to a brand new echelon of high quality and individuality. The actions themselves had been excellently personalized, with cool, skeletonized ratchet wheels and barrels. However utilizing such high-end calibers in comparatively small-run sizes pushed the costs of these fashions as much as CHF 7,500 and CHF 10,900, respectively. That’s a complete totally different ball sport from the sooner 17 sequence.
Evaluation
The Ming 18.01 Abyss Idea watch takes a step away from the dressier angle that the model has explored up to now. The acquainted flared lugs are retained on the brushed case center, working in tandem with the recognizable dial design to provide a really constant really feel to this piece. It’s sensible how comfortably this new sport watch sits alongside the opposite fashions within the assortment. The visible continuity is facilitated by Ming’s resolution to not groove or serrate the sting of the rotating bezel in any method, which supplies this idea watch a really uncommon search for what’s a critical dive instrument (and an surprising sensible profit we’ll focus on later).
One hallmark of Ming has all the time been the surprisingly good stage of producing high quality at whichever one of many model’s a number of value factors the watches are positioned. As the value goes up, high quality goes up accordingly, and with a CHF 6,500 price ticket (not low cost for a time-only instrument watch with a sourced motion) it means loads to say the standard of execution right here is high notch.
The Motion
As for that motion, nevertheless, one attainable downside for this extremely good-looking diver is the very fact it’s pushed by a high grade ETA 2824-2. Now, nevertheless appropriate this caliber could also be for a dive watch (and it’s), there can be unavoidable comparisons with main manufacturers (like Omega, Tudor, or Rolex, for instance) producing revered dive watches at across the identical value all with in-house actions and a truckload of provenance Ming can’t hope to match.
However the design is classy. The watch really appears like an alien on the wrist, with its one glowing eye at 12 o’clock staring up at you (in any respect hours of the day and night time, due to some top-level luminous materials on each the dial and crisp ceramic bezel insert). There’s a pleasant little bit of texture and depth to the dial, with the grooved blue chapter ring that encircles the wordless design. The fingers, too, are stunningly stunning of their simplicity and dedication to performance. And though it is a idea watch, it definitely has put operate forward of type. Consequently, it fulfills its remit completely.
A Problem Accepted
Over a 12 months in the past, Ming acquired a pressure-testing machine with a restrict of 1,250m (four,100ft). Following that acquisition, the apparent inner problem emerged to design a watch that was not solely congruous with the present Ming providing but additionally capable of exceed the utmost stress check their new machine was able to. (Boys and their toys, eh?)
This small run of simply 10 timepieces is extremely uncommon at this practically accessible value level. They’re really market-ready prototypes. Such merchandise don’t normally make their method into the fingers of the shopper, however these watches — solutions to a query born of alternative — current that uncommon event. Importantly, there isn’t any assure Ming will ever produce one other dive watch.
The Abyss Idea watch is simply 40mm-wide and 14mm-thick. Its paired again dial maybe makes it look slightly larger than it truly is, however compared to many divers in the marketplace at this time, it’s extremely wearable. The choice of a bracelet as an alternative of a blue leather-based strap (made by Jean Rousseau in Paris) additionally will increase the flexibility of this stainless-steel watch (a unique materials from a model that has beforehand favored titanium) and makes it appropriate for the house or the workplace.
The polished bezel talked about earlier retains issues elegant, however not with out an underlying practical justification that stunned me. Apparently, after many assessments, a elegant floor was proven to be the simplest to grip with moist fingers (whereas not interrupting the design an excessive amount of). A blockish design on the bezel makes studying the elapsed time intuitive and an actual pleasure, due to the liberally utilized Tremendous-LumiNova X1 glowing vibrant blue towards the ceramic base. A strong caseback and screw-down crown (with pink security indicator to remind you to not depart it protruding), together with the absence of spacer rings throughout the case to make it as strong as attainable, means the Abyss Idea watch is ready to attain depths in extra of 1,250m (or four,100ft/125 ATM, if you happen to choose). These 10 items, priced at CHF 6,500, can be accessible from Ming immediately and will be bought anytime. Supply is included within the value. Study extra at ming.watch.
