What is the MING x J.N. Shapiro 37.06 Lightning?
It is a collaboration between Horologer MING (“MING”) of Malaysia (with facilities in La Chaux-de-Fonds and Kuala Lumpur) and J.N. Shapiro of Los Angeles, two independent watch brands.
Both MING and J.N. Shapiro are founding members of the Alternative Horological Alliance (AHA), comprising of MING, Fleming, J.N. Shapiro, Fears and Massena LAB. While both MING and J.N. Shapiro have collaborated on the AHA tantalum bracelet and the cases for the MING Project 21, the MING x J.N. Shapiro 37.06 Lightning is their first ever watch collaboration. The highlight of this watch is its Lightning guilloché dial which we take a close look at.
What are its dial features?
The dials begin life in J.N. Shapiro’s workshop in Los Angeles. Crafted from grade-2 titanium, each dial is “individually engine-turned by hand on a traditional rose-engine lathe using a pattern called “Lightning guilloché.” J.N. Shapiro, both the watchmaker and the brand are masters of performing hand guilloché on dials. Their slogan is also “California Engine Turned.”
After this, the dials travel to MING’s facility in Kuala Lumpur where Ming Thein personally “heat-colours each dial with a handheld butane torch. The process transforms the dial into a polychromatic field of deep blue, rich purple, and vibrant orange-yellow. The unique colouration does not depend on paint, lacquer, or any additional surface coating – only heat, timing, restraint, and creative license.”
What are its case and strap features?
Its case is made from 316L stainless steel, with a brushed and polished finish. It measures 38 mm (diameter) * 10.9 mm (thickness). Lug-to-lug distance: 44.5 mm. Lug width: 20 mm. Dial and caseback side feature a domed sapphire crystal, with anti-reflective coating on both sides. The dial side crystal features circular hour-markers that are actually laser-hollowed cavities filled with luminous HyCeram. The case is water resistant up to 100 metres.
The watch comes with a blue Barenia calfskin leather strap with Alcantara lining from Jean Rousseau of Paris. It features curved quick-release spring bars and is fitted to a flying-blade tuck buckle with micro adjustment.
Is it powered by a manual wind movement?
Yes. It is powered by Sellita for MING SW210.M1, a manually wound movement that drives the central hours and minutes. It measures 25.6 mm (diameter) * 3.35 mm (thickness), comprises 18 jewels, beats at a modern frequency of 4 Hz or 28,800 vph and delivers a power reserve of (approximately) 42 hours.
What do we think?
I have been fortunate to handle several MING watches, and based on my experiences, I am truly excited about the MING x J.N. Shapiro 37.06 Lightning. However, the story of the two good friends behind the Lightning makes it truly special.
Ming Thein, hailing from Kuala Lumpur, Oxford educated and a top-notch photographer, founded his namesake brand in 2017. It has since gone on to become a global sensation, with a strong design identity that is unprecedented for a young independent brand. If it does not state “MING” on the dial, you still know it is a “MING”
Joshua Shapiro, hailing from Los Angeles, an educator with a bachelor’s and master’s degree in American history and a former high-school principal, founded his namesake brand in 2018. His watches are revered by top collectors of high-end independent watchmaking in the world and are highly sought after.
Both are from places that do not boast a watchmaking ecosystem. Yet this did not stop them from pursuing their dreams and leaving an undeniable mark on the global horological map. The Lightning is the culmination of their joint effort, one that I predict in years to come will be a true collectible.
Also Read: MING unveils the epic new 57.04 Phoenix
Additional Details
Name: MING x J.N. Shapiro 37.06 Lightning
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 6,250 (excluding taxes)
Warranty: 2-years.
Please visit ming.watch for further information and register on the waitlist. Click here to learn more about J.N. Shapiro.
