Get ready to be amazed by the bold and innovative world of Horologer Ming, a watch designer and independent watchmaker who has left an indelible mark on the industry. In a relatively short time, Ming has established a strong brand identity, constantly pushing the boundaries of watch design. Since its inception in 2017, the collective, led by the visionary designer and photographer Ming Thein, has crafted an impressive collection of over 75 unique timepieces.
But here's where it gets intriguing... In 2025, Ming unveiled its fifth-generation masterpiece, the Ming 57.04 Iris, a daring destro monopusher chronograph that turned heads with its unconventional design. This was swiftly followed by the sleek Ming 56.00 Starfield, marking the brand's first foray into integrated bracelet watches. However, the demand for the monopusher chronograph exceeded expectations, and Ming quickly realized that 100 pieces were not enough. Thus, the Ming 57.04 Phoenix was born, building upon the success of its predecessor.
The Ming 57.04 Iris was a watch that divided opinions, and it's no surprise why. Its design, proportions, and the mesmerizing color-shifting dial, which transformed from turquoise to purple, green, or orange, were not for the faint-hearted. But fear not, the 57.04 Phoenix offers a more restrained yet equally captivating aesthetic. As Ming puts it, "the watch maintains its tonal structure, remaining mostly monochromatic while showcasing a three-dimensional, graphic design with subtle pops of color."
Technically, the Phoenix retains the bold destro monopusher chronograph concept and the striking lugs that define its character. Measuring 40mm in diameter, 11.85mm in thickness, and 47.8mm lug-to-lug, it boasts a modern tribute to Art Deco with its sculptural, multi-piece stepped lugs and a complex, unconventional case construction. The lugs alone require an impressive nine separate pieces.
One of the key differences lies in the dial. The deeply dished upper dial now sports a classic sunray-brushed anthracite grey color, but through the newly shaped cutouts, you can still glimpse the baseplate treated with the same captivating color-shifting multiphasic coating seen on the Iris. The sub-dial has been redesigned, and all elements, including the hands, chronograph hands, sub-counter, and the inner side of the crystal with the hour track, are coated in Ming's luminous Polar White and Super-LumiNova X1, ensuring exceptional visibility.
Powering this masterpiece is the uniquely configured Sellita for MING Calibre SW562.M1, a variation of the SW500, which draws inspiration from the iconic Valjoux 7750. This hand-wound monopusher chronograph offers hours, minutes, central chronograph seconds, and a 30-minute counter at 6 o'clock, all presented in a clean, no-date layout. The movement beats at an impressive 28,800 vibrations per hour and provides a generous 60-hour power reserve. The movement is predominantly rhodium-plated, with an anthracite three-quarter plate, adding to its visual appeal.
The Ming 57.04 Phoenix Monopusher Chronograph is available through www.ming.watch or authorized retailers, with a price tag of CHF 6,250 on a grey FKM rubber strap or CHF 7,250 on the brand's innovative Polymesh 3D printed titanium bracelet. Only 150 pieces will be produced in 2026, making it a highly sought-after timepiece.
And this is the part most people miss... The technical specifications of this watch are truly impressive. The case, crafted from 316L stainless steel, measures 40mm x 11.85mm x 47.8mm lug-to-lug, featuring stepped multi-piece lugs with a polished and brushed finish. It boasts sapphire crystals on the front and back with AR coating and offers a water resistance of 100m. The crown and monopusher are positioned at 9 o'clock, and the lug width is 20mm.
The dial is a work of art in itself, with a metallic deep dish upper dial and radial cutouts. The baseplate is treated with a multiphasic, color-shift coating, and the diamond-cut hands and laser-cut sapphire indices are filled with MING Polar White and Super-LumiNova X1, ensuring optimal legibility. The floating 30-minute chronograph counter has a sandwich construction and is also coated with Super-LumiNova X1.
So, what do you think? Is the Ming 57.04 Phoenix a masterpiece of modern watchmaking, or does it push the boundaries too far? We'd love to hear your thoughts in the comments below! Remember, in the world of watch enthusiasts, opinions are as varied as the timepieces themselves.
