Ming has embraced its darker impulses with the striking 29.01 ‘Midnight’—a ghostly black evolution of its acclaimed worldtimer that follows in the footsteps of the well-received 37.09 ‘Uni’ dive watch.
This limited edition of just 25 pieces transforms the brand’s signature worldtimer into a stealthy obsidian masterpiece while maintaining Ming’s unmistakable design language.
Darkness Reigns
The 40mm grade 5 titanium case receives a comprehensive black DLC treatment, with thoughtful finishing variations that enhance its sculptural qualities. Ming’s iconic “flying blade” lugs and rounded case sides feature contrasting glossy polished surfaces on the lug tops and bottoms, while matte finishing on the case flanks creates visual depth and effectively blurs the transition between metal and the prominent box sapphire crystal that eliminates the traditional bezel.
Where the 29.01 ‘Midnight’ truly distinguishes itself is in its multi-layered sapphire dial construction. A lightly grained metal base dial hosts the printed 24-hour indicators and rotates via a peripheral ball bearing system to track global time zones.
Above this rotates a static sapphire upper dial printed with world cities, creating the trademark Ming depth effect even in this monochromatic execution. The sapphire hands and dial markings are infilled with HyCeram ceramic Super-LumiNova X1, producing the brand’s signature ethereal glow in darkness—even the 24-hour scale glows with orange Super-LumiNova.
Standing 11.8mm tall, the watch delivers Ming’s characteristic wearability despite its complex construction. The black FKM rubber strap with matching DLC-coated buckle completes the cohesive dark aesthetic, ensuring comfort and visual continuity from case to wrist.
Technical Brilliance
Beneath the stealthy exterior beats a mechanical heart of contrasting warmth—the caliber ASE 222, exclusively developed for Ming by micro-rotor specialists Schwarz-Etienne. In a surprising twist, the movement plates and bridges receive a 5N rose gold coating, creating a dramatic juxtaposition with the watch’s otherwise shadowy presence. This aesthetic choice, borrowed from the 2023 Dubai edition, provides a classical counterpoint to the contemporary exterior.
The movement itself bears Ming Thein’s distinctive design touch, with bridges entirely conceived by the brand’s founder. Visual highlights include skeletonized barrel architecture, a curved donut-inspired tungsten microrotor, and extensive anglage throughout. Beyond its aesthetic merits, the caliber delivers impressive technical credentials with an 86-hour power reserve, 4Hz frequency, and the practicality of automatic winding.
Priced at CHF 22,000 (approximately $27,000), the 29.01 ‘Midnight’ positions itself firmly in Ming’s premium tier. Interestingly, the similarly limited 25-piece Dubai edition from November 2023 remains available for order—perhaps signaling a cooling in the once-frenzied Ming market where pieces consistently sold out within hours of release.
For collectors seeking haute horlogerie with a distinctly contemporary vision, the 29.01 ‘Midnight’ delivers Ming’s signature aesthetics in their most dramatic form yet. While not revolutionary within the brand’s design language, this worldtimer represents a cohesive evolution that embraces darkness without losing the technical innovation and visual depth that have established Ming as one of independent watchmaking’s most distinctive voices.
