The Ming 57.04 Phoenix, The Return of the Destro Monopusher Chronograph

The audacity of Horologer Ming as a watch designer and an independent watchmaker isn’t to be demonstrated anymore… Over its short life, the brand has managed to create a strong identity, yet it never ceases to evolve. Since its debut in 2017, the collective led by designer and photographer Ming Thein has built an impressive catalogue of over 75 references. In 2025, the brand introduced its 5th generation design with the Ming 57.04 Iris, a destro monopusher chronograph with a daring design, followed by the sleek Ming 56.00 Starfield, the brand’s first watch with integrated bracelet. Quickly aware that the 100 pieces produced for the monopusher chronograph were not enough, the brand already started to prepare the next edition, the Ming 57.04 Phoenix.

There’s no other way to tell the truth… The Ming 57.04 Iris was a polarising watch, whether in terms of design and proportions, or regarding its flamboyant peacock-like, colour-shifting dial that changed from turquoise to purple, green or orange depending on the light. Not a watch for the faint of heart. Without changing the recipe drastically, the 57.04 is back in a more restrained attire. As Ming explains, “the watch has what we think of as tonal structure: mostly monochromatic, whilst remaining very three-dimensional, quite graphic and with pops of colours peeking through.”

The technical base remains identical, as a bold destro monopusher chronograph concept and a case featuring dramatic lugs. Measuring 40mm in diameter, 11.85mm in thickness and 47.8mm lug-to-lug, it is mostly characterised by its sculptural multi-piece stepped lugs, as a modern tribute to Art Deco, with a complex, unconventional case construction. No fewer than 9 separate pieces are required for the lugs alone. Another important element of its personality lies in the combination of a left-positioned crown and a monopusher architecture, with the chronograph button inside the crown. Pleasant, water-resistance is rated at 100m.

Part of what makes this version a bit more subdued is the dial. The deeply dished dial now has a more classic sunray-brushed anthracite grey colour. But through the newly-shaped cutouts, you can still see the baseplate treated with the same colour-shifting multiphasic coating seen on the Iris. Negative relief, tons of depth and a shape like no other. The sub-dial has also been redesigned, and all the elements – main hands, chronograph hands, sub-counter and inner side of the crystal with hour track – are coated in Ming’s luminous Polar White and Super- LumiNova X1.

Inside the case is the uniquely configured Sellita for MING Calibre SW562.M1, a variation of the SW500, itself based on the architecture of the Valjoux 7750. Functions include hours, minutes, central chronograph seconds, and a 30-minute counter at 6 o’clock, with a clean, no-date layout. The movement beats at 28,800 vibrations/hour, and when fully wound, it offers a 60-hour power reserve. The movement is now mostly rhodium-plated with an anthracite three-quarter plate.

The Ming 57.04 Phoenix Monopusher Chronograph will be available via www.ming.watch or authorised retailers, and priced at CHF 6,250 on a grey FKM rubber strap or CHF 7,250 on the brand’s Polymesh 3D printed titanium bracelet. 150 pieces will be produced in 2026.