MING 29.01 Midnight

In 2023, we presented our 29-series with our popular 29.01 Worldtimer. Following on from this and by popular demand, it is our pleasure to present a stealthier, subtler companion – the Batman to Bruce Wayne, if you will – in today’s release, the 29.01 Midnight.

It’s for covert night missions. Secret assignations. Dead drops. International persons of mystery. Solo pilots on polar routes. Nocturnal hot air balloon pilots. Fighting crime (by night). Persons with discrete and discreet paramours. Lovers of subtle warm accents. Negotiations of the utmost importance. Competitor reconnaissance. Or plain ol’ insomnia.

Actually, we just like the colour combination that first debuted on the 37.09 Uni, and thought that a more sophisticated sibling might not be amiss. Building off the bold and seamless original worldtimer, the Midnight has an adjustable and rotating metal dial that carries the 24-hour indication to be read against static cities carried on two levels of a sapphire dial. We’ve chosen a representative selection of our favourite hotspots of intrigue from New York to Rio and old London town (with Pago Pago thrown in for good measure). The effect is one of subtle layering and texture, offset against contrasting indices on the upper sapphire dial and sapphire hands.

There is of course plenty of luminous material in play – in fact every marking on the sapphire components and hands are ceramic Super-LumiNova X1, for an extended glow. The orange numbers also glow, but in orange. There is simply no reason for missing your nocturnal rendezvous.

A deep sapphire box on the front serves as both crystal and bezel; it is bonded seamlessly to the DLC coated grade 5 titanium case body. This case body carries the upper portion of the openworked flying blade lugs which also feature an interlocking groove that keys into the caseback, which also appears seamless from the underside. A polished top and bottom finish to the lugs contrasts with the matte texture of the case sides, with dynamic sculpting continuously blending lug surfaces with case body. Though it is one of our larger cases at 40mm, with the visual presence to match, the shorter lugs allow for wearability across a wide variety of wrist sizes.

Schwarz-Etienne’s microrotor automatic has been given a thorough overhaul and is visually distinctive thanks to the all-bespoke bridge design by Ming Thein. It is even more open, airy and transparent, with unique features to bring it in line with our latest design language. The barrel is fully skeletonized and more open than before for easier determination of state of wind; plates and bridges are 5N rose gold coated for a little romance under that otherwise serious exterior; the rotor guard is a whimsical four-level ‘staircase’ with anglage, and the tungsten microrotor itself is a little larger with a new organic shape inspired by donuts for higher winding efficiency. The microrotor also has a new mounting and ceramic ball bearings for increased winding efficiency.

The 29.01 Midnight is finished off with our exceedingly comfortable FKM rubber strap on a matching DLC coated buckle. And because we’re only making 25 of them, chances of spotting another one in the field are vanishingly small.

Pricing and deliveries

The MING 29.01 Midnight is a limited edition of 25 watches and is available for CHF 22,000 from www.ming.watch or from our authorised retail partners.

Technical specifications

MING 29.01 Midnight

Limited edition of 25 pieces

Case

• Material: Grade 5 titanium with DLC coating
• Diameter: 40mm
• Thickness: 11.80 mm
• Deep box sapphire crystal front with bezel-less construction; domed rear crystal; both with double-sided antireflective coating
• Polished and blasted ‘flying blade’ interlocking lugs
• Water-resistant to 50 meters

Dial and hands

• Sapphire dial with HyCeram ceramic Super-LumiNova X1 fill
• Metallic 24h disc with Super-LumiNova X1 print
• Sapphire hands with HyCeram ceramic Super-LumiNova X1 fill

Movement

• Schwarz-Etienne for MING Cal. ASE 222
• Bidirectional automatic winding via microrotor
• Diameter: 30mm
• Thickness: 5.6mm
• Number of jewels: 31
• Skeletonized barrel
• 5N rose gold coated bridges with diamond cut anglage
• Power reserve of 86 hours at full wind
• Movement adjusted to five positions

Functions/Indications

• Hours and minutes
• World time function

Strap and buckle

• Black moulded FKM rubber strap
• Additional strap of customer’s choice
• 22mm width, curved bars with quick release
• Fitted with DLC flying blade tuck buckle with micro adjustment

MSRP: CHF 22'000 (excl. taxes)

For more information, please visit ming.watch