Two New Models from Ming

The Blue and the Ultra Blue -

Courtesy of Ming

To celebrate their anniversary, the team at Ming are offering two limited edition pieces. 

For those of you hoping to lay hands to the Ultra Blue, my understanding is that it was sold out (or at least pre-ordered out) well before the official announcement of either of these pieces.  Which sort of begs the question, why have a press embargo?  But in fairness to Ming, they seem to know what their customers want, and by doing a slow reveal/teaser more than 25 people who frequent their home page and social media channels were persuaded to part with CHF2,500, so there you have it.

The Blue, limited to 125 pieces -

Courtesy of Ming

 

Functions: hours, minutes, independently adjustable 24h timezone

Case, dial & hands:
o Grade 2 titanium case with solid case back
o 38mm diameter, 9.8mm thickness, 43.9mm lug to lug
o Sapphire crystal with anti reflective coating on both sides
o Rigid case without spacer rings
o 100m water resistance with triple crown gaskets and nitrogen filling
o Sunburst metallic blue dial
o Composite, multi-layer, three-part sapphire dial with Super-LumiNova C1 o Beadblasted hands filled with Super-LumiNova C1

• Straps
o 20x18mm, quick release with curved fitting
o 1x dark chocolate nubuck with white stitching o 1x anthracite nubuck with white stitching
o 2x signed pin buckle in grade 2 titanium

• Optional bracelet
o Grade 2 titanium, 5-link type, screwed
o 20mm lug width with quick release mechanism for easy fitting o Concealed double folding clasp in stainless steel

• Movement:
o Automatic mechanical movement Sellita SW330-1 top grade
o 42-hour power reserve
o 28,800 bph (4Hz)
o 25 jewels
o Hacking function
o Movement adjusted to five positions with a 250-hour test program

1-year warranty against defects
Made in Switzerland
Limited to 125 pieces

Retail price
o CHF1,525 including two straps
o CHF1,825 with two straps and matching bracelet 

 

 

And the Ultra Blue, gone but not forgotten -

 

Functions: hours, minutes, independently adjustable 24h timezone

Case, dial & hands: o Heat-blued grade 2 titanium case with solid case back
o 38mm diameter, 9.8mm thickness, 43.9mm lug to lug
o Sapphire crystal with anti reflective coating on both sides
o Rigid case without spacer rings
o 100m water resistance with triple crown gaskets and nitrogen filling
o Sunburst metallic blue dial
o Composite, multi-layer, three-part sapphire dial with Super-LumiNova C1 o Bead blasted hands filled with Super-LumiNova C1
• Straps
o 20x18mm, quick release with curved fitting
o 1x dark blue alcantara by Jean Rousseau Paris
o 1x dark chocolate nubuck with white stitching
o 1x anthracite nubuck with white stitching
o 1x signed pin buckle in heat-blued grade 2 titanium o 2x signed pin buckle in grade 2 titanium
• Movement:
o Automatic mechanical movement Sellita SW330-1 top grade
o 42-hour power reserve
o 28,800 bph (4Hz)
o 25 jewels
o Hacking function
o Movement adjusted to five positions with a 250-hour test program

• 1-year warranty against defects
  
• Made in Switzerland
  
• Limited to 25 pieces
  
• Retail price of CHF2,500
  

 

 

Overboard

Courtesy of Vacheron Constantin

Vacheron Constantin is a wonderful brand, a beautiful story, and... I fear they are drifting farther and farther from their identity.

I love the Overseas.  I loved the Overseas even when my old boss at Tourneau (the smart one, not the knuckle-scraper) told me I had "no taste".  I liked it even when they went to a bracelet that might be favored by Jack Sparrow a few years back.  But enough is enough already!

Yes, this is spoken of as a novelty - meaning it is not going to be in standard production.  But many watch novelties are not unlike neck tattoos.  They seem like a great idea after a half-rack of beer, but the end result is something you're stuck with that can't be "unseen".

Something interesting just swam up!

This is the latest from Linde Werdelin -

Courtesy of Linde Werdelin

This is the Oktopus II - Titanium BLUE

Courtesy of Linde Werdelin

My understanding from the nice folks at LInde Werdelin is that "release into the wild" is imminent!  So those of you waiting anxiously to bring your Oktopus II home, the wait is nearly over!

www.LindeWerdelin.com

Blue

I have to take a moment to comment on the packaging and goodies that came with the Steel Cruise.

Of course the standard items of warranty card, pillow, etc.  But it also comes with an alternative strap - blue in this case, and a truly well made screw-driver/strap changer.  More on that later.

So come on - it's going to be a GREAT DAY!

And here in the US it is election day.  While I know that politics can get us all emotional - as you're going about your day today try to remember this one piece of advice that my grandmother always reminded me of - We can disagree without being disagreeable!