The Ming 20.01 Series 3 is the latest marvel from Ming’s Special Projects Cave
Buffy Acacia- Ming’s Special Projects Cave has unveiled its latest breathtaking release, the 20.01 Series 3.
- Its dial is made from laser-fused borosilicate glass, filled with 600 luminescent voids that float above the movement.
- It’s powered by the AgenGraphe calibre 6361.M1 by Agenhor, a phenomenal central chronograph movement with multiple proprietary components.
Ming is perhaps the ultimate representation of a modern independent watch brand. Helmed by Ming Thein, it produces design-driven watches which chase different horological tangents with each release, yet retains a holistic brand identity. Whether it’s a relatively-affordable GMT or a more experimental effort, its limited availability and targeted releases make Ming watches extraordinarily popular. This latest model belongs to the Special Projects Cave, where budget gets set aside and watchmaking becomes somewhat of a playground. The Ming Special Projects 20.01 Series 3 breaks every convention of dial-making for a truly hypnotic effect.
Even when you understand how the dial of the 20.01 Series 3 is made, you can’t really comprehend it while looking at it. It almost looks like some kind of CGI sequence from a sci-fi film. In reality, the dial is made from borosilicate glass that has been built up in tiny layers. Don’t be too worried about fragility when you read the world glass, because borosilicate is the same as your Pyrex dishes at home or lab chemistry equipment. It’s a somewhat similar process to 3D printing, but with a laser fusing the borosilicate in place. As the dial is built up, the fragmented spiral design is formed by leaving voids. 600 voids, to be exact. It’s an extremely different effect to something like laser-etched sapphire because the voids actually have dimension, and the pattern warps in all three dimensions for a ridiculous sense of depth.
If you’re wondering why the dial voids seem so opaque, it’s because they’ve been filled with Super-LumiNova X1. This needs to be done with syringes by hand, but the blue-green glow is incredible after dark. In regular lighting, the ghostly-white blocks let through the coppery tones of the movement below, but it’s not exactly skeletonised or openworked in the traditional sense. Overall, it takes a much more artistic approach to the way it works with light, how the materials interact, and where your eye gravitates towards. Of course it’s not the most legible dial out there, especially with the hour, minute, and tachymeter tracks being etched into the sapphire crystal in the same colour of lume as the voids. However, the hands do a good job of standing out, especially the blued chronograph hands.
The Ming 20.01 Series 3 is cased in solid 18k 5N rose gold and Grade 5 titanium with a DLC coating, which frames the whole piece in a gorgeous warmth. Its generous curves and neatly-clipped lugs are reminiscent of cases from other independent brands such as F.P. Journe. The 41.5mm diameter and 14.2mm thickness give it some sturdy wrist presence without being oversize. It’s also water-resistant to 50m, which is enough for peace of mind in day-to-day wear. It’s hard to pay too much attention to the case though, because the movement is so captivating.
Visible through either the sapphire display caseback or the glimpse through the dial, the AgenGraphe calibre 6361.M1 by Agenhor is certainly no standard off-the-shelf movement. It’s an astonishing work of engineering that also happens to be beautiful, with Agenhor’s own clutch design which embodies the best elements of both horizontal and vertical clutches, with the drawbacks of neither. It’s a central chronograph meaning that the minutes are counted with the larger of the blued hands, and they jump instantly when the seconds hand crosses 12. It’s manually-wound with two barrels for a power reserve of 55 hours and a beat rate of 21,600vph. The movement also features a hard stop when the watch is fully wound, for definitive feedback.
The Ming 20.01 Series 3 pricing and availability
The Ming 20.01 Series 3 is limited to just 20 pieces, with delivery expected in October 2024. Price: CHF 43,500 (~US$50,530 and 30% deposit required on order)
| Brand | Ming |
| Model | 20.01 Series 3 |
| Case Dimensions | 41.5mm (D) x 14.2mm (T) |
| Case Material | 18k 5N rose gold and DLC-coated Grade 5 titanium |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Laser-fused borosilicate glass and Super-LumiNova X1 |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap | Anthracite goat leather with Alcantara lining by Jean Rosseau Paris |
| Movement | AgenGraphe calibre 6361.M1 by Agenhor for Ming |
| Power Reserve | 55 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, chronograph seconds, central chronograph jumping minutes |
| Availability | Limited to 20 pieces |
| Price | CHF 43,500 (~US$50,530 and 30% deposit required on order) |