20.01 Series 5

The level of detail in science fiction art and visuals never ceases to amaze us – imagining structures that don’t exist, for applications that are equally fictional and invented requires some serious creative thinking. It would be impossible not to take inspiration from these things at a deep subconscious level. The teleporting, deflecting, planet-destroying kind.

Outside a Hollywood or animation studio however, materials and construction for this kind of thing are equally imaginary and probably impossible with today’s technology. A fact that was reinforced when Ming Thein (MT) created a dial that looks like an object the entire plot of a science fiction film might revolve around, both figuratively and literally.

A dial this unique requires an appropriately special watch and naturally we looked to our 20.01 series of chronographs which has served as the launch platform for our most significant dial innovations to date.

The MING 20.01 Series 5, continues this tradition with what is probably the industry’s first dial that is laser milled from a single block of metal to create complex radial strakes that have interlocking surface contours in both vertical and horizontal planes.

This micromachined dial is then vapor coated an intense blue and subjected to another round of lasering to selectively remove coating from the top of the strakes, leaving bare titanium with a stonewashed texture. And if machining such fine contours and applying multiple colours and finishes was not difficult enough, MT decided to do all of this from a single block of titanium.

Completing the 20.01 Series 5 is the AgenGraphe by Agenhor - one of the most significant and sophisticated chronograph movements available today. It contains many advanced and unique features such as a central chronograph core; Agenhor’s proprietary backlash-free gears; proprietary horizontal clutch mechanism; instantaneous jumping minutes; snail reset cams; and proprietary regulation mechanism. It is presented here in a unique configuration to MING: manual wind, with 5N rose gold coated bridges, and polished anglage. A hard winding stop also gives tangible feedback once the mainspring is fully charged.

All of this is housed in a hybrid 20-series case - the bezel, ‘flying blade’ lugs, caseback, and crown are in stainless steel; pushers are titanium and coloured to match the dial, and the caseband is in DLC titanium for contrast. Sized at 41.5x14.2mm to accommodate the AgenGraphe, it also provides the necessary space required to truly appreciate the dial. A variety of finishes and short lugs also ensure the watch wears and looks comfortable on a variety of wrist sizes.

The top sapphire crystal carries the indices and chronograph scales, which are laser etched and filled with our proprietary MING Polar White luminous material (which is one of, if not the only, material that glows pure white), while the hands have blue emission Super-LumiNova X1 for ideal contrast. The 20.01 Series 5 is completed with a dark blue alcantara strap and a black FKM rubber strap fitted with our flying blade tuck buckle.