Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Darker Allure of the Ming 37.07 Monolith
Ming’s 37.07 returns in a dark black DLC case with a more subtle grey luminous mosaic dial.
Ming Thein, a reputable commercial photographer, designer and watch lover, founded the independent Malaysian watch brand Ming in 2017. In a short space of time, Ming’s stylish designs, accessible prices and Swiss movements have found a growing following culminating in the prestigious Revelation Prize at the 2019 edition of the GPHG Awards for the 17.06 Copper. Celebrating the brand’s fifth anniversary last year, Ming released the 37.07 Mosaic with its distinctive sapphire dial etched with a mosaic pattern illuminated by hearty doses of blue Super-LumiNova. The latest Ming 37.07 Monolith might look like a carbon copy of the fifth-anniversary edition, but its dark matte suit now absorbs the light for a stealthier, more intriguing look.
Sharing identical specifications with the earlier 37.07 Mosaic, the new 37.07 Monolith has a 38mm diameter, a thickness of 10.9mm and a lug-to-lug distance of 44.5mm. The case is hallmark Ming with a double-stepped bezel and slightly Oriental pagoda-style lugs. Here, the stainless steel case is treated with a matte black DLC coating. The surface of the lugs, bezel and crown are bead-blasted, while the flanks and caseback are brushed. Instead of reflecting the light, the case absorbs the light, making it look leaner and smaller, allowing the dial opening a starring role. With its scratch-resistant black DLC coating and 100m water-resistant case, the 37.07 Monolith is a versatile daily beater.
Although the dial shares the mosaic pattern featured on last year’s anniversary model, it too has succumbed to a darker mood. The gradient mosaic pattern, first reproduced by laser on the sapphire dial of the 20.11 Mosaic watch, proved popular but was too expensive to replicate in more accessibly priced models. Ming found a way around the issue by using a Super-LumiNova-coated brass base dial with a sapphire crystal on top printed with a mosaic pattern.
In this model, the blackened brass base uses a dark grey tone of Super-LumiNova and has a mosaic motif printed on the sapphire dial. Lighter in the centre and darker towards the edges, countless triangles are printed on both sides of the sapphire crystal, some transparent to let the luminous material through. The signature chapter ring with long luminous dashes marking the hours is printed on the inside of the domed sapphire crystal protecting the dial, and the time is read with central hour and minute hands treated with SLN.
Powering the MING 37.07 is the Sellita for MING SW210.M1, a slim manual-winding movement with a height of 3.35mm and a power reserve of 40 hours. Decorated with anthracite skeletonised bridges to contrast with the rhodium circular brushing, the movement can be seen through the sapphire crystal on the caseback. The textured black calfskin strap with a burnt orange Alcantara lining is made by Jean Rousseau.
Availability & Price
The Ming 37.07 Monolith is an edition of 250 watches and retails for CHF 3,500. It is available exclusively at www.ming.watch. Orders open at 1 p.m. GMT on 12 October 2023 and require a 50% deposit; deliveries are expected in November 2023.
