Ming 19.02 World Time Maldives Piece Unique, 2020

Dealer description — S.Song Watches

Growing from relative obscurity, MING has become one of the most talked-about and sought-after independent watchmakers in the market thanks to their minimal supply, design cohesiveness, and unparalleled value for money. Released in 2019 as their most complicated watch yet, the 19.02 World Timer expanded MING’s horological offering into the upper echelons of Swiss watchmaking. With the World Timer’s revered position among high-level complications for its genuine practicality, unique impact on dial design, and inherent complexity, the 19.02 announced MING onto the world stage. As is the case with so many of MING’s designs, the 19.02’s most distinct feature is its dial. Featuring MING’s signature hands and chapter ring, the 19.02 sports a striking gradient that fades from black at its centre to a sandy undertone along the periphery, revealing the movement beneath and the chapter ring above. Placed beneath the chapter ring, written in their corresponding airport codes, are the 24 cities representing the world’s major time zones, giving the 19.02 its eponymous utility. Highlighted by a titanium disk rotating below them, a star positioned between the ‘1’ and ‘23’ indicators can be used to mark the wearer’s home time. Among its list of 24 cities is MING’s hometown of Kuala Lumpur, a rarity among world timers and a clear expression of the brand’s heritage and pride as it represents Malaysia on the global horological stage. Beyond the dial, the 19.02 features a 39mm titanium case with MING’s iconic flared pagoda lugs, a blend of polished and brushed surfaces, and an entirely luminous bezel. While we’ve listed a handful of 19.02s in the past, this particular example carries a quietly distinctive detail. Among its 24 cities, it features ‘MLE’ in place of ‘KAR’ (Karachi), an abbreviation for Malé, the capital of the Maldives, commissioned as a special order by its original owner. This subtle little detail effectively transforms the watch into a quietly unique piece, an uncommon departure from MING’s otherwise tightly controlled design framework. Powered by the Schwarz-Etienne Cal. ASE220.1 micro-rotor movement designed exclusively for MING, the 19.02’s exhibition caseback displays partially skeletonised rose gold-plated bridges with bead blasting and hand-polished anglage. This attractive movement complements a watch that is both technically and aesthetically accomplished. With the 19.02, MING successfully asserts its place on the world stage, earning the recognition it rightfully deserves.