Ming 27.02 Gradient Guilloché (Price, Pictures and Specifications)
Ming took the case of the 2020 GPHG-finalist 27.01 and found some more internal space. This was sufficient to add a sapphire dial (necessarily thicker than the brass dial of the 27.01) and a blue Clous-de-Paris guilloché ring around the periphery of the movement, without any increase in overall thickness.
In addition to their core elements of radial symmetry, legibility, the 0 marker and flared lugs, they extended the smooth visual transitions beyond the case lines to the dial itself. Ming added a gradient to the lower surface of the sapphire dial and laser etched markers on the upper surface, causing the guilloché to appear to fade in not just depth and spatial frequency but also saturation. It transitions from an inky black center to prominent guilloché at the edges and exhibits our trademark inversion under certain angles – with the markers appearing to float over a uniform mirror.
Ultra-thin and minimalist
Ming 27.02 retains the 6.9 mm total height (including cyrstals) of the 27.01 and shares the overall reductionist aesthetic. Ming retained the “flying blade” lugs machined from a monobloc caseband in stainless steel and the 38x6.9 mm proportions which give the watch solid wrist presence but versatile wearability.
Fortunately, during 2020, some additional ETA Peseux 7001s in the specification Ming required became available. This allowed them to produce another batch of watches in their heavily reworked variant – the Ming 7001.M1. Ming begin with the base movement but essentially retain only the gear train and escapement. The bridges and plates are reworked by Manufacture Schwarz-Etienne in a configuration of their design: solid baseplate with maximal opening of upper bridges to put moving components on display. It is a continuation of Ming belief that a display back must have something worth seeing behind it.
Visual layering
Like its sibling, the 27.02 is one of their most formal pieces and does not carry any luminous material. However, a contrasting mix of surfaces allows for exceptional legibility and a sensation of much greater physical depth than should be possible given the case thickness. In its interaction with light, the 27.02 is still very much a Ming.
The variation in texture continues through the case: at the front, the lighter polished steel bezel transitions to blue guilloché and then an inky black pool on the dial. On the sides, polished flying blades are offset against matte-blasted recesses and the rear echoes the front, with brushed steel and etched text surrounding a black movement.
On partnerships
Ming continues its partnership with Manufacture Schwarz-Etienne for the production of the 27.02, Jean Rousseau Paris for the straps and Studio Koji Sato for their travel pouches. Ming is proud to apply consistent quality control standards across the range, be it for flagship or entry-level watches.
Ming 27.02 Gradient Guilloché
Technical specifications:
Case, dial & hands:
· 38mm diameter, 6.9mm thickness, stainless steel 316L
· Mix of polished, brushed and blasted surfaces with “flying blade” lugs
· Sapphire crystal front and rear with double-sided antireflective coating
· Gradient sapphire dial with laser etched and white-filled indices
· Blue Clous-de-Paris ring with stamped guilloché
· Rigid case without spacer rings
· 50m water resistance
· 20mm lug width
Movement:
· Ming 7001.M1: heavily-modified ETA 7001 with new bridges and baseplate
· Black chrome plated bridges and plates
· ~42h power reserve at full wind
· Movement adjusted to five positions
Functions: hours and minutes
Straps:
· Smooth calf blue-grey leather strap by Jean Rousseau Paris
· 20mm width, curved bars with quick release
· 70/120mm length
· Fitted with 2nd generation “flying blade” stainless steel buckle
Leather travel pouch handmade in Kuala Lumpur by Studio Koji Sato
2-year limited mechanical warranty
Made in Switzerland
The price for the Ming 27.02 Gradient Guilloché is CHF 4,950 and is limited edition to 200 pieces.
