Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Darker Mood of the New MING 37.02 Monolith
Darker, stealthier and rarer, MING writes the third chapter in the life and times of its entry-level 37.02.
When it was launched last year, MING’s 37.02 Minimalist represented several firsts for Ming Thein’s independent Malaysian brand. For starters, it was the brand’s first watch made at MING’s facility in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Ironically, though, the watch could not bear the “Swiss Made” label because the design and engineering were executed in Kuala Lumpur. The second novelty was the incorporation of MING’s proprietary white emission luminescent material. The third was its position as an entry-level candidate, a condition that not only regarded its price but also its availability. Today, following the 37.02 Ghost, MING writes the third chapter in the life and times of the model with the launch of the 37.02 Monolith, a darker, stealthier model limited to 100 pieces annually.
While the Monolith shares identical specs with the Minimalist and Ghost, the look of the watch is stealthier with its matte and brushed anthracite DLC-coated stainless steel case. Instead of reflecting the light, the case absorbs the light, making it appear leaner and smaller. Well-proportioned and svelte, the case has a 38mm diameter, a thickness of 11mm, and a pleasant 44.5mm lug-to-lug length. The signature Oriental pagoda-style lugs mark it as a MING creation. Protected by double-domed sapphire crystals placed over the dial and caseback, the large notched crown has a double gasket to ensure the 100-metre water-resistance rating.
The chameleonic sapphire dial changes personality depending on the light; in certain situations, it looks like an inky black well sucking all traces of light from the ambience, in others, it works like a mirror reflecting light – classic MING. The laser-cut channels that form the chapter ring are filled with the brand’s proprietary Polar White luminous material prepared personally by Ming Thein in Kuala Lumpur using an internally developed process and formula. Polar White has a broad-spectrum emission and is one of the very few luminous materials that produce a white glow. The hour and minute hands are finished with blue-emitting Super-LumiNova X1 inserts for contrast. The only form of branding is the subtle mention of “MING” at 6 o’clock.
Powered by a customised version of the Sellita SW300-1, this automatic movement delivers a 45-hour power reserve, runs at a frequency of 28,800vph and features skeletonised anthracite bridges, plates, and rotor. Ready for fun in the sun, the 37.02 Monolith is paired with a mango FKM rubber strap with a black DLC-coated tuck buckle.
As a brand known for limited production runs, last year’s 37.02 Minimalist marked MING’s return to having watches in stock and ready to ship. The new Monolith, though, changes course and is marketed as a “rarer variant” with a restricted annual production of 100 pieces. It retails for CHF 3,500 and is available from ming.watch or authorised retailers.
