Ming is a new micro watch brand based out of Malaysia. It was founded by a group of several watch enthusiasts that’s led by Ming Thein — pro photographer, Hasselblad’s chief strategist and absolute watch nerd. The group claims to have a collective 80 plus years collecting watches and used that as the basis for launching their own brand.
The Ming 17.01 is the brand’s first effort — a simple, though finely-detailed two-hand watch powered by a Swiss-made, hand-wound movement from Sellita. The case is made from grade 5 titanium and comes in at just 38mm in diameter and 9.3mm thick, while the dial — available in gray or blue — features an engraved checker-like pattern in the center and applied numerals, giving what would be an otherwise simple timepiece a nice sense of depth. As an added bonus, each watch comes with three leather straps (tan, burgundy and navy).
Ming only plans to make 300 watches — 150 in each dial color. Yet despite the limited run, Swiss movement, titanium case and extra straps, the 17.01 comes in at a very reasonable $900. Ming will release the 300 watches in batches, and though the first batch has sold out, more will be available August 25th, according to the brand.
