Ming shows off the Series 5 of the complex, AgenGraphe-powered 20.01 chronograph
Borna Bošnjak- The Ming 20.01 shows off a new dial, milled from a single block of titanium and overlaid with impressive lume.
- It’s powered by Agenhor’s impressive AgenGraphe movement, sporting a central chronograph core resulting in a unique dial layout with no sub-dials.
- This steel and titanium edition is limited to just 25 pieces, and priced at CHF 37,500.
Look at any watch that Ming has made since its founding, the design lineage will be obvious. That’s quite the feat for what you might think is a fledgling brand, but remember, Ming has been around since 2017, and has some impressive achievements under their belt. Other than making the lightest mechanical watch ever and winning a couple of GPHGs on the way, they’ve also continuously impressed with complexity and collaborations with impressive movement makers. The Ming 20.01 chronograph is one of the brand’s flagship models, and the latest Series 5 shows off a new take on a machined titanium dial and AgenGraphe calibre.
So, let’s start with that dial. It’s a complex one, to be sure, with three different layers making the most of the domed crystal and intricacy of the dial itself. Starting with the sapphire, Ming laser-etches the markings before filling them with white-glowing lume. The signature Reuleaux-like triangle shape of course sits proudly at 12. The next layer will be that of the handset, which contains the hours and minutes hands, as well as the central chronograph hands for both the seconds and minutes. These glow a bright blue to help with the contrast. Finally, we reach the turbine-like fins that have been machined from a single titanium block, before getting a royal blue CVD coating.
The layered, complex approach continues to the case, which comprises 34 components by itself. Ming’s signature lug design is still present, but they now emanate from the steel top and bottom portion of the case, sandwiching the DLC-coated titanium core. Blued, oval pushers at 2 and 10 o’clock control the chronograph, while a knobbly crown juts out at 4 o’clock to set the time.
At 41.5mm and 14.2mm in thickness, you’ll see and feel every bit of that case complexity. Ming, however, isn’t shy to share that the significant case thickness is necessary to house Agenhor’s excellent chronograph (parts 1, 2, and 3 of the in-depth round-up of Agenhor movements here for your reading pleasure) . This specific variant is the 6361.M1, with 5N rose gold-coated bridges highlighted by dark-coated, brushed levers and cams. The AgenGraphe’s central chronograph core layout means that all of its indications are coaxial with the time-telling handset, a layout that’s rarely seen since the Lemania 5100’s central minutes have gone out of fashion. It has a gorgeous architecture that puts everything on display, with numerous skeletonised wheels and intricate, thin anglage surrounding the organically shaped bridges. The AgenGraphe is also impressive technically, with a horizontal clutch and column wheel, and a hard winding stop as opposed to the slipping clutch of the automatic variant. It beats at 3Hz, for up to 55 hours on a full wind.
Ming 20.01 Series 5 pricing and availability
The Ming 20.01 Series 5 is a limited edition of 25 pieces, and will be available on the 24th of June 2025 at 13:00 GMT. Price: CHF 37,500
| Brand | Ming |
| Model | 20.01 Series 5 |
| Case Dimensions | 41.5mm (D) x 14.2mm (T) |
| Case Material | DLC-coated titanium and steel |
| Water Resistance | 50 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Domed sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Blue CVD and silver titanium |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap |
Dark blue alcantara, steel pin buckle
Black FKM rubber, steel pin buckle |
| Movement | AgenGraphe 6361.M1, manual winding |
| Power Reserve | 55 hours |
| Functions |
Hours, minutes, central chrono seconds and instantaneous minutes
|
| Availability | Limited to 25 pieces |
| Price | CHF 37,500 |