The MING 17.06, The 6th Watch To Issue Forth From The House Of MING

Remember the MING 17.01? As the debut watch from Malaysian brand MING Watch, it generated a huge amount of buzz on its launch. In fact, if you saw our article about it at the time, there’s a good chance all 300 pieces were already sold out before you finished reading. Since then, MING has gone on to introduce five additional models, all appealing in their own way. But it seems the ardent supporters of the brand who missed out on the 17.01 have not kept quiet about their desire for a second chance. (Well, third, if you count the 17.03 GMT). Heeding these pleas, last week MING unveiled the new 17.06. Here’s everything you need to know.

Despite only officially coming to market a mere 2 years ago, MING has achieved a lot in a very short time. This has been driven largely by the complex mind of company co-founder and namesake, Ming Thein. Fuelled by a relentless desire to improve and innovate, it seems the brand is never content to rest on its laurels. Which is a good thing for watch lovers. The latest example of this comes in the form of the 17.06, which is essentially a revised (and improved) version of the 17.01.

In typical MING fashion, the revisions are subtle but thorough. The 17-series case has been completely reengineered to ensure an even more comfortable fit on the wrist. To make it easier to assemble and service the watch, the bezel is now held in place by screws from within the case. Likewise, the clearance between the top of the canon pinion and the crystal underside is now a mere 0.30mm. This means the hands sit closer to the crystal and ensure the rehaut is as shallow as possible. The finishing has also been improved and, in a first for a production-model MING, the 38mm case is made from stainless steel. (Previous versions were in titanium).

Two versions are available. The first boasts a texture-etched Copper dial with an alternating polished and brushed case and has been preselected for the finals of the Challenge category of the 2019 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve. The second is a stealthier version, which the brand is calling Monolith. It features a matte black dial and anthracite DLC bead-blasted case. Each watch comes on a hand-made strap from Jean Rousseau in Paris.

Inside is a self-winding ETA 2824-2 that’s been modified for two crown positions and regulated in 5 positions. It’s a solid work-horse offering a 38-hour power reserve but it’s nothing to write home about, which is reflected in the modest pricing. For added quality assurance, assembly is now done by La Division du Temps, a subsidiary of Manufacture Schwarz Etienne.

I had the opportunity to try both on when I caught up with Ming in Singapore a few months ago and I have to say that even though they are essentially the same watch, they have very distinct personalities. The Copper dial version in particular is really eye-catching, although if I’m being honest my personal preference is for the more understated Monolith. Plus, MING’s handy quick-strap change system means you can easily pair it with something more colourful for when you feel like making a statement.

The MING 17.06 will be available for order on 19 September, 1PM GMT exclusively from www.ming.watch. Pricing for the 17.06 Copper is set at CHF 1,250, while the 17.06 Monolith is slightly higher at CHF 1,500. Neither model is a limited edition as such, but annual production of each will be limited. 300 pieces per year for the Copper version, 125 per year for the Monolith. Prices include delivery worldwide by courier and deliveries will begin end October 2019.