What We Love About Ming 27.01, The Malaysian Watchmaker's Thinnest Watch Yet

Words by Brian Cheong
May 26, 2020
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Limited to 125 pieces, the 27.01 is also the first watch to feature the Malaysian brand's second generation design language

Minimalist aesthetic

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Above Ming 27.01 is not only its thinnest watch but also its dressiest

One of the defining qualities of a Ming watch is its focus on the essence of time, meaning it doesn't believe in cluttering the dial with highfalutin indications. It sticks to what we all look for in a time-telling instrument, an hour and a minute hand with legible hour markers — simple and functional.

This narrative continues with its new 27.01, the spiritual successor to Ming's first watch, the 17.01, and the first watch to feature its second-generation design language. The flying blade lugs and the hour markers (absent of numerals except for the '0' at 12 o'clock), for instance, are new design elements.

In addition, it's also the independent watchmaker's thinnest watch yet at 6.9mm thick. The case is stainless steel for a more tactile experience while the 38mm diameter is suited for all wrist sizes. 

See also: Meet The Slimmest Manual And Self-Winding Watches

A handsome dress watch

The 27.01 is also the dressiest Ming watch in its portfolio. To achieve that sense of formality, the dial boasts matte and brushed surfaces in four different shades of silver, giving it exceptional legibility.

Meantime, alternating polished, brushes and matte-blasted surfaces evoke textural variations on the steel case. The watch is paired with an attention-grabbing burgundy leather strap by Jean Rousseau Paris, which is fitted with a second generation "flying blade" buckle.

See also: Ming Wins A Prize At 2019 Grand Prix D’Horlogerie De Geneve That Awards Excellence In Watchmaking

Beautiful movement

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Ming worked with Manufacture Schwarz-Etienne to extensively modify an ETA Peseux 7001 into its own MING 7001.M1 movement — only the gear train and escapement of the original movement remained. The reworked upper bridges offer wide openings to reveal the moving components beneath in what is "a continuation of our belief that a display back must have something worth seeing behind it." The movement offers a maximum power reserve of 42 hours.

See also: Ming Hits All The Right Notes As A Malaysian Luxury Watch Brand

  • ImagesCourtesy of Ming
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