Being an independent watch brand is no easy feat. Taking on the Swiss juggernauts in a time when the market is saturated with different watches and having the odds stacked against you is something most would run away from. I mean, it is clear- just look at the number of independent brands over the years that have come and gone, who just couldn’t make it and either sold out to a bigger brand or just vanished completely.
That being said, if there was a shining light, a name that has defied the odds, through truly original thinking and an unwavering desire for quality, it would have to be MING.
Established in 2017 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Ming Thein founded his eponymous brand with the intention of creating a watch that satiated his obsessive desire for perfection while maintaining a price point that was fair and accessible. Being associated with the watch industry for many years through both his passion and his profession as a commercial photographer, he managed to build up a vast knowledge of watchmaking and design, culminating with the release of the inaugural 17.01 in 2017.
While the brand has gained more and more traction in recent years, with the most recent drops selling out within minutes, the brand has largely kept a huge secret from the public for a long time – the ‘Special Projects Cave’ (SPC). What is released to the public is already hugely impressive but little did we all know that MING had another trick up his sleeve. For those who don’t know, the Special Projects Cave is an invitation-only concept with a focus on creating unique pieces and special editions in extremely limited quantities. Its core principles revolve around fostering relationships, exploring and experimenting with the boundaries of watch design, and fostering collaborations.
The Special Projects Cave has been running for a few years now and it is great to see MING flex and show the world just what they are capable of. From insanely high-end offerings such as the 20.09 Tourbillon and the 20.01 Mosaic Chronograph to more simplistic (at least in terms of aesthetics when compared to the former two) reworks such as what you see here today. To this day, this project still feels like an exciting concept that is original and refreshing for an industry that is becoming increasingly detached.
The 37.05 Moonphase Series 2 Special Edition (Special Project Caves) offered here is MING’s second interpretation of their first moonphase offering from 2021 (Series 1). As its name suggests, this particular version deviates slightly from the standard production model (which features a stainless steel case). Limited to only 50 pieces and offered only to friends of the brand, it comes fitted with a 38mm x 11.9mm DLC-coated stainless steel case which features a dynamic-looking anthracite dial adorned with a captivating radial sunray brushing effect and star-shaped perforations. These perforations allow the luminous material beneath the dial to glow through, creating an enchanting celestial night sky effect as the moonphase transitions over the day. At 6 o’clock, you’ll find a central moonphase indication and date stacked atop each other. If you look closer, the upper dial is actually crafted from sapphire and features laser-etched luminous HyCeram stars on both its upper and lower surfaces, adding a nice touch of visual depth to the dial's design.
Powering this watch from within is a heavily modified, manual-winding Sellita Cal. SW288-1. In line with MING's signature style, the entire movement has been meticulously refinished to match the aesthetics and design ethos of MING's earlier offerings. Through the exhibition caseback, you can admire the skeletonized bridges, matte-blasted surfaces with an anthracite coating, and a distinctive circular-brushed rhodium section on the main train bridge. As far as power reserve goes, it can hold a charge of up to 40 hours when fully wound.
I myself am already a big fan of the regular 37.05 Moonphase Series 2 in stainless steel, but there is something about this special (and limited) edition DLC variant that really speaks to me, and I'm sure to many other connoisseurs as well. I think it's the thematic combination of the unique night-sky dial design and the mysterious blacked-out case – the synergy demonstrated here between all these design elements feels like a match made in heaven.
