MING has unveiled the Polymesh – the world’s first 3D printed, titanium bracelet / strap hybrid. It has the flexibility of a fabric strap and the tactility of a metal bracelet.
“What if you could have the best of both worlds? Why limit yourself to just six positions? What would every colour on the spectrum look like? Asking ourselves questions like these all the time has led to watches like the 57.04 Iris and LW.01 Ultralight, and innovations like the sapphire Mosaic, multiphasic coatings, MING Polar White among many others.”
The brand has “developed an entirely new topology of extremely small links that has more motion engineered into the radial axis than the lateral one. It is the evolutionary result of seven complete redesigns and optimizations over the course of a year. Each of the 1,693 links and components are hooked into their neighbour in a closed loop – there are no pins or screws. Even the articulated buckle and hinges for the tang are formed in the same process and at the same time with the only assembly being the addition of the quick release spring bars.”
The Polymesh exists because of innovations in additive manufacturing and 3D printing. Its design is such that it cannot be made using “traditional subtractive methods such as machining.”
Crafting the Polymesh presented two challenges: First, “was the risk of links fusing, because of the positioning of the individual titanium powder beads and the distances between individual parts needing to be as tight as 70 microns.” Second, “finely powdered titanium used for 3D printing is highly explosive if not handled properly and if sintering was not conducted in an inert gas environment.”
The brand overcame these challenges by partnering with Sisma S.p.A. (Italy) and ProMotion SA in (Switzerland), who were tasked with prototyping and manufacturing the Polymesh.
Key Features
- Single piece construction comprising of 1,693 subcomponents.
- Crafted using additive manufacturing.
- Features an integrated tuck buckle system.
- Features curved end quick release spring bars.
- Made from powder bed laser sintered grade 5 titanium.
- Designed for MING watches with a 20 mm lug width.
- Ideally suited for wrist sizes 152mm / 6.0” to 206mm / 8.1” on a 38 mm case.
- Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 1,500 (excluding taxes).
- One-year limited mechanical warranty.
Our Thoughts
I have covered several MING watches and was fortunate to meet Praneeth Rajsingh – the brand’s CEO at Time to Watches in Geneva – a watch event held at the elegant Villa Sarasin – a stone’s throw from Watches and Wonders being held at the giant Palexpo. As I have mentioned before, every watch unveiled by the brand since their founding eight years ago has a reason for existence – irrespective of its price point. They do not change dials, case materials, and call it a new model.
Yet nothing prepared me for the Polymesh. It is the sort of thing few brands think about. Collectors often compare bracelets – especially those found on renowned integrated bracelet watches such as A. Lange & Söhne’s Odysseus, Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak, and Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas – to name a few.
The Polymesh is a game changer in the world of bracelets and straps. Its no surprise that it is the brainchild of Ming Thein (MT) and his eponymous brand. For now, it is crafted in grade 5 titanium for the brand’s own watches with a 20 mm lug width. They are presently developing both a stainless-steel version, and one sized for their watches with a 22 mm lug width. I wonder if they will a make a version compatible with watches from other brands. That would indeed be phenomenal.
Please click here and here to read our recent coverage on the brand’s 57.04 Iris – unveiled to celebrate their eighth anniversary, and the 37.05 Lunatic – a model with a unique moon phase display.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information, and to be notified about availability.
