The Electrifying Dial of the Ming x J.N. Shapiro 37.06 Lightning

Indie watch brand Ming was founded by Malaysian photographer, designer and engineer Ming Thein in 2017. Since then, Ming has amassed a devoted following for its contemporary design-led watches distinguished by minimalism, luminescence, layering and colour. The latest 37.06 Lightning, a joint project between Ming and J.N. Shapiro Watches, a Los Angeles-based watchmaker, is the answer to the question: “What happens when two independent watchmakers bring their own forms of handiwork to the same dial?”

As founding members of the Alternative Horological Alliance (AHA), Ming Thein and Josh Shapiro are good friends and have worked together on the Ming Project 21. A leading figure in the revival of independent American watchmaking, Shapiro began making engine-turned dials for other watchmakers but has since grown into a vertically integrated atelier. Following the Infinity Series with its hand-guilloché dials, the more recent Resurgence is Shapiro’s first all-American watch, built from scratch in his Inglewood, California workshop.

The result of the collaboration is the striking 37.06 Lightning watch, featuring a “lightning guilloché” pattern on the titanium dial, executed by Shapiro using traditional rose-engine lathes. Marking its debut in Shapiro’s repertoire, the guilloché pattern radiating from the centre zigzags across the dial like jagged lightning bolts.

The dynamic topography of the guilloché is further animated with the vibrant colours produced in Ming’s Kuala Lumpur atelier. Obtained by heat with a handheld butane torch, the colour gradient starts in the centre, with oranges and yellows intensifying into purples and culminating in deep blues.

As Ming points out, the failure rate for the heat-treated dials is high, with one in every three dials discarded. Applying heat for too long or not long enough can create uneven colour distribution and ruin the dial entirely. Moreover, the guilloché work can expose variations in the titanium’s crystalline structure, compromising the result. Given the artisanal nature of the dial, each colour gradient will vary slightly.

True to the brand’s predilection for luminescent features, the laser-hollowed cavities in the sapphire crystal for the indices are filled with luminous HyCeram, while the hour and minute hands are treated with Super-LumiNova X1 for a long-lasting glow.

The stainless steel case from the 37-series has a diameter of 38mm, a thickness of 10.9mm and a lug-to-lug distance of 44.5mm. The curvaceous case with a large, notched crown and sweeping pagoda-style lugs is resistant to depths of 100 metres and finished with brushed and polished surfaces. The dial and caseback are protected by domed sapphire crystals with AR coating.

The slim manual-winding Sellita SW210.M1 powering the watch has a 42-hour power reserve and customised features, including skeletonised bridges and an anthracite-coated baseplate. The Ming x J.N. Shapiro 37.06 Lightning is paired with a blue Barenia calfskin strap by Jean Rousseau with quick-release spring bars and a flying blade buckle with micro-adjustment.

Although no number is provided, production is naturally constrained by craftsmanship. A limited initial stock will be available when orders open on 5 June at 13:00 GMT for a price of CHF 6,250 (excl. tax). Going forward, Ming and Shapiro aim to produce approximately 10 pieces per month. More information at ming.watch.