MING introduces a new watch, the 20.01 Series 3
A creation of MING’s Special Projects Cave, it debuts a fused borosilicate dial, and is powered by the Agenhor AgenGraphe chronograph movement. It is a limited edition of 20 pieces.
Geneva Watch Days: August 29 until September 2, 2024.
“We believe this is the first watch in the world with a fused borosilicate dial, and certainly the only one driven by the supreme Agenhor AgenGraphe movement.”
MING has just introduced the 20.01 Series 3, a creation of their Special Projects Cave (SPC), also known as The Cave.
“Dedicated to refined aesthetics paired with innovative materials, mechanics and engineering, in 2021, we launched our Special Projects Cave as a way of allowing customer participation in experimental watches focused on developing specific new technologies.”
A few of The Cave’s horological world firsts include:
– Sapphire Mosaic – “an internal 3D structure created inside sapphire crystal with a femtosecond laser.”
– Hyceram – “a ceramic-fused luminous material.”
– LW.01 – “the world’s lightest production mechanical watch at just 8.8 grams realised using AZ31 magnesium alloy and finite element simulation.”
The new 20.01 Series 3 continues The Cave’s tradition by “debuting new technology.” MING believes it is the first watch in the world with a fused borosilicate dial, and the only one powered by the Agenhor AgenGraphe movement.
Left: Dial view featuring its fused borosilicate dial. Right: Caseback view featuring its Agenhor for MING AgenGraphe Calibre 6361.M1.
Key Features
Functions
The MING 20.01 Series 3’s functions include:
– Central hours and minutes.
– Central chronograph hand with seconds and 60-minute counter.
– Central instantaneous jumping minutes.
Dial
The single image under ‘Functions’ and the four images under ‘Dial’ show the MING 20.01 Series 3’s fused borosilicate dial and its 600 voids under different lighting conditions, and completely lit up as a result of its hand-filled liquid Super-LumiNova XI.
The MING 20.01 Series 3’s dial features include:
– It has a “1.3 mm thick fused topographical borosilicate dial.” It features 600 voids, which are “hand-filled with liquid Super-LumiNova X1.”
– The hour and minute hands are coated with Super-LumiNova X1. The hour hand is almost completely coated, whereas the minute hand features 2 peripheral strips of coating.
– The single long blued hand is for the central chronograph.
– The shorter blued bow-shaped and double-jointed hand is for the instantaneous jumping minutes.
– The front crystal features etched and luminous hour-markers and scales.
– The inner dial features circular hour-markers, divided into increments of 12, with each gap between them representing an hour. “MING” is stated at its 6 o’clock.
– A circular minute-scale closely encircles the circular hour-marker, divided into increments of 5, each gap between them representing a minute.
– Encircling the outer dial is a seconds and pulsometer scale, enabling measurement of seconds and calculation of BPM (Beats per Minute) or pulse / heart rate, the latter a useful feature for doctors.
“Voids are the key to the 20.01 S3’s unique dial: 600 of them, in a radially symmetric circular pattern that changes size not just in the horizontal plane, but also vertically: they form a wave in sectional thickness that is clearly visible with the dial at an angle. We have used a unique technology in partnership with Femtoprint SA to create these cavities in a cake of borosilicate built up and fused with a high energy laser; this configuration would have previously been beyond the limits of machining technology due to the sharp angles of the voids.”
“The voids certainly glow back: all 600 cavities are individually hand-filled using syringes and a liquid Super-LumiNova X1 mixture to create possibly the most intense glow we have ever put into a watch. They appear to float in space like a teasing veil, allowing plenty of light to cast hints at the movement below. Each dial is understandably time consuming to manufacture and is made to order. More lume also fills the indices and secondary scales on the underside of the top crystal.”
Case and Strap
The MING 20.01 Series 3’s case and strap features include:
– Its case is made of both DLC coated grade-5 titanium and 18K 5N rose gold, featuring 34 parts and 4 different finishes.
– The caseband is made of DLC coated grade-5 titanium.
– The bezel, and ‘flying blade’ lugs are made of 18K 5N rose gold, polished and brushed.
– The caseback, crown and chronograph pushers are made of 18K 5N rose gold.
– It has a case diameter of 41.5 mm and a case thickness of 14.2 mm.
– It has a 22 mm lug width.
– Both the dial and caseback feature a domed sapphire crystal, with anti-reflective coating on both sides.
– The crown is positioned at 4 o’clock.
– The chronograph pushers are positioned (approximately) between 1 and 2 o’clock, and (approximately) between 10 and 11 o’clock.
– It is a rigid case without any spacer rings.
– It is water resistant up to 50 metres.
– Its anthracite goat leather strap featuring Alcantara lining is by Jean Rosseau Paris. It features both a 22 mm width, and curved bars with quick release.
– The strap is fitted to MING’s 3rd generation ‘flying blade’ 5N rose gold buckle featuring micro-adjustment.
“All of this is housed in our second ever precious metal case – this time with bezel, flying blade lugs, caseback, chronograph pushers and crown 18k 5N rose gold, and a DLC titanium core for contrast. It has the same complex and interlocking – yet open – case from our previous 20-series watches, sized at 41.5mm in diameter to accommodate the AgenGraphe, and 14.2mm thick. A variety of finishes and short lugs mask the size and make it comfortable for smaller wrist sizes, yet the physical size itself bestows the case with a certain presence.”
Movement
The MING 20.01 Series 3’s movement features include:
– It is powered by Agenhor for MING AgenGraphe Calibre 6361.M1, a manual wind chronograph movement which drives the hours, minutes, central chronograph, and instantaneous jumping minutes.
– It has a diameter of 34 mm.
– It has a thickness of 5.35 mm.
– It features a “central chronograph with proprietary Agenhor coupling mechanism, regulator and upgraded clutch.”
– Its features “manual winding into twin skeletonised barrels with hard winding stop.”
– It features “5N rose gold coated bridges with polished anglage.”
– It has 41 jewels.
– It beats at a frequency of 21,600 vph or 3 Hz.
– Its power reserve is approximately 55 hours at full wind.
– The movement is adjusted to 6 positions.
“The 20.01 Series 3 is powered by the AgenGraphe by Agenhor – arguably one of the most significant and sophisticated chronograph movements available today. It contains many advanced and unique features such as a central chronograph core; Agenhor’s proprietary backlash-free gears; proprietary horizontal clutch mechanism; instantaneous jumping minutes; snail reset cams; and proprietary regulation mechanism. It is presented in a unique configuration to MING: manual wind, with 5N rose gold coated bridges and plates, and polished anglage. Not to mention, a hard winding stop that gives tangible feedback once the mainspring is fully charged with energy.”
Our Thoughts
At The Cornea Impression, we have been impressed and delighted each time we have written about a MING timepiece. Every one of their timepieces, regardless of functions, complications (if any) and price point, is immaculately thought out and executed. Each timepiece brings something new to the horological table, yet retains MING’s consistent design language, a hugely impressive feat given they are only 7 years old! With each timepiece, they bring transparency regarding their partners, be it the dial, movement, strap, travel pouch to name a few aspects.
As a young brand not bound by decades old historical design and aesthetic codes, they are free to experiment, and the Special Projects Cave’s MING 20.01 Series 3 is testament to this. MING has created a bold timepiece that features both a world-first fused borosilicate dial with 600 voids and a brilliant chronograph calibre – the AgenGraphe by Agenhor. All while retaining MING’s consistent design language. If it didn’t mention MING on the dial, you would still know it is a MING.
It is simply sensational, based on images and supporting information. For those who love independent and experimental watchmaking, chronographs, and horology for horology’s sake, the MING 20.01 Series 3 is for you.
Additional Details
Name: MING 20.01 Series 3
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 43,500
– 30% deposit required for order confirmation. Balance upon delivery.
– Deliveries expected to begin during October 2024.
– Limited edition of 20 pieces available exclusively through MING’s website.
– It is Made in Switzerland.
– It comes with a 2-year warranty against defects.
– It comes with 1 complimentary service during the first 5 years of ownership and 1-year complimentary WAX Shield insurance coverage against theft. Both these features are in gratitude to MING’s Special Projects Cave customers and to improve their ownership experience.
– It comes with a leather travel pouch handmade by Studio Koji Sato in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Please visit the MING website and Instagram page for further information.
MING is a participant at Geneva Watch Days, held from August 29 until September 2, 2024. Prototypes of the MING 20.01 Series 3 will be on display. It is also an opportunity to view a selection of their other timepieces.
Also Read:
https://thecorneaimpression.com/ming-launches-the-new-37-08-starlight/
https://thecorneaimpression.com/geneva-watch-days-returns-once-again/
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