We’ll put together a new Ming 20.01 Series 5

Up until now, I have been enjoying Ming’s 20.01 chronograph from afar. Finally, the good people of independent brands were able to send me one of the flagship pieces for practical reviews. I spent a week with the new 20.01 Series 5 and fell in love with this extremely detailed and stunning watch. I look forward to sharing my impressions deeply.

Ming does an amazing job of offering great watches at a large price range. The good old days of 1,500 euros have long gone, but even the cheapest models contain large doses of the brand’s design DNA. But what about the top edge of the spectrum? Models like today’s new 20.01 Series 5 are like a dream for their inherent exclusiveness and pricing. So when CEO Praneeth Rajsingh offered to ship one to the UK for a long week of test drive, I jumped at the chance.

Ming 20.01 Series 5

The latest 20.01 is not far from previous models in terms of case design and movement. No, as we see, this watch is about all the dials, like many other things. As for dimensions, the watch is 41.5mm in diameter and 14.2mm thick. This represents a larger take on Ming’s aesthetics, but the 46mm lagto lag measurement makes it easier to manage. The watch looks at the house above a dark blue Alcantara strap with a stainless steel “flying blade” tack buckle. However, if the owner wants to enjoy a 50m depth rating, it also includes a 22mm wide black FKM rubber strap.

Ming is not known for its dialing operations alone. Most watches are impressive from any angle. There are 34 cases in the 20.01 Series 5! This includes stainless steel lugs, bezels and casebacks. The DLC-coated midcase is made of titanium. The oval blue titanium pusher sits at 10 and 2am, like a safe hand above the steering wheel. Ming’s familiar modern take-on-on-on-crown is located at 4 o’clock. Back to thickness, a decent part of this comes from the domed sapphire crystal on both case sides. A reflective coating is applied to each side of each crystal to provide a clear view.

What we all had been waiting for – dial

The inspiration behind the 20.01 Series 5 Dial is completely fictional, but it’s a fun and nerdy way that fans should appreciate. Founder and designer Ming Thein thought of it as the type of object at the heart of a grand work of science fiction. In line with this futuristic theme, its production is also very innovative. The dial is made from titanium blocks and requires laser milling to achieve complex strains.

When Ming sent out the watch, the brand also offered a large plastic model of the dial. This allows you to see the interlocking strake and the blend of vertical and horizontal surfaces. However, you will need to go back to the dial to see the final finishing work. After the initial milling is complete, the dial is exposed to a blue steam deposition process. Then more laser removal occurs to expose a bright titanium surface at the edges of each strain. Ming calls it sci-fi, but says it looks like a scary turbine.

Whatever that is, the 20.01 Series 5 looks evil in the best possible way. Individual strakes catch light and glow brightly. The details then fade and shallow towards the center of the deal. This creates a sense of depth and gives you the illusion of looking into the jet engine. Reading time is relatively easy for large hours and minutes. In the hand of Time, there is a Super Luminova X1 center and polishing outline, but Minute Hand is a direct opposition with a bright outline and a mirrored center.

Easy to read and bright application

Minutes reach a 1 minute/hour track made with long, overlapping arc segments. Certainly, the hands can show a little more difference, making taste readings easier. The same applies to the hands of two chronographs mounted in the center. These hands are easy to read, but it is difficult to read the Tachimeter scale. And the time track is laser etched on the underside of the crystal and filled with branded ultra-white material. Ironically, time and tachymeter scales are easier to see in the dark due to their clear glow.

Agengraphe Cal. 20.01 Series 5 6361.m1

Again, Ming chose to equip the 20.01 Series 5 with an Agenhor caliber. Manually winding twin barrel a jingle graph Cal. The 6361.M1 is directly incredible and reminds me of the classic vintage caliber. The 5N gold plating movement is a beauty to see for its detail and level of finish. Angledges and pullages are on display, as are various skeletonized barrels and wheels. It also includes a fan’s favorite column wheel, adjusted in six positions. Performance-wise, Agengraphe has a power reserve of 55 hours and a frequency of 21,600Vph.

I wear this beauty

It’s always funny to wear an Embargo under Embargo. I always feel like I’m going around, as if I know the “if you know” brands like Ming. Needless to say, I never found myself on the front page of a tabloid with a 20.01 Series 5 tied to my arm (or any page in that issue). Still, I loved wearing it. The watch is light and, as mentioned before, the case works well on small wrists. Plus, there’s something special about the dial. It’s like what I’ve been wearing until now, and it’s a compliment. It was a difficult watch to pack up and send it to the next reviewer.

The expensive part of the rare air

The 20.01 Series 5 is expensive with a CHF of 37,500, but very different and special. Qualifies as an exotic item that will help you find your way to 25 collections. That’s not necessarily because you beat another expensive chronograph in some kind of spec showdown. The watch is beautifully realized and the dial is different from the rest I’ve seen, so it’s a success. Ming also equipped the watch with a luxurious movement. I rarely jealous, but feel like I’m hoping towards a lucky 25 that I was able to win one of these.

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