MING Watch Celebrates its First Anniversary with Two Blue Limited Edition 17.03 (Live Pics)

It’s hard to believe but MING Watches is already celebrating its one-year anniversary. And what a year it’s been. In just 12 months, three models have been introduced: the MING 17.01, which sold out almost immediately, the MING 19.01 with exclusive Schwarz Etienne movement, and the MING 17.03 GMT, which saw the addition of a practical complication. To celebrate this exciting milestone, MING has created two anniversary models: the 17.03 Ultra Blue and 17.03 Blue limited editions. There’s already a waiting list for the Ultra Blue edition and we’re pretty confident in saying that the Blue edition will likely sell out quickly too. Read on for all the details.

By way of quick recap for those who may be new to the MING phenomenon, MING Watches was created by Malaysian-based watch photographer, Ming Thein, in collaboration with five other watch enthusiasts from around the world. Ming designed the watches himself and as you can see, they are quite unique-looking. The response to the first three models has been somewhat polarising. Some people love them, others hate them. Overall, however, it would appear they are doing very well.

MING 17.03 ULTRA BLUE

Of the two anniversary models, the MING 17.03 Ultra Blue is easily the more exclusive. Limited to just 25 pieces, each is presented in the same 38mm x 9.8mm titanium case as the original models. The key difference? The cases have all been individually heat blued in-house by Ming himself, and the crown has been engraved by hand. As a result, each case is unique, showing hints of purple, cyan and dark blue depending on how the light hits. Regrettably, I am yet to see one in person but judging by the photos, the results look pretty gorgeous.

The blued case isn’t the only change on this special edition of the MING 17.03. A new sunburst metallic blue dial quickly steals your attention and provides the perfect backdrop for the updated sapphire ring and new satin bead-blasted hands filled with Super-LumiNova. The hour display now includes stylised Arabic numerals at 12, 2, 4, 6, 8 and 10 o’clock, which I think I prefer. The central GMT function remains unchanged. Completing the look is a hand-made dark blue Alcantara strap by Jean Rousseau Paris, and matching heat-blued titanium pin buckle.

MING 17.03 Blue

The MING 17.03 Blue is identical in design to the Ultra Blue, with the exception of the heat blued case. Instead, it is presented in the same brushed titanium case as the original but still with that gorgeous blue dial. It’s limited to 125 pieces and comes with the option of a matching titanium quick-release bracelet.

Both models are powered by a Swiss made Sellita SW330-1. Offering a 42-hour power reserve, this automatic movement features an independently adjustable second-time zone indicator. As we mentioned in our previous article on the MING 17.03, it’s not a pure GMT but it does allow for the secondary time zone (home time) to be adjusted independently once the local time has been set.

Availability & Pricing

Pricing for the more exclusive 17.03 Ultra Blue is set at CHF 2,500, while the 17.03 Blue will retail for CHF 1,525 including two leather straps. If you want to add in the optional titanium bracelet, the price goes up to CHF 1,825.

As I mentioned earlier, there is currently a waitlist for the 17.03 Ultra Blue, with deliveries due to commence mid-August 2018. The Blue is available to order online now exclusively from www.ming.watch.