Ming LW.01 is a remarkable feat of material engineering
The challenge might have started to make the thinnest but that pivoted to the lightest watch upon the discovery of the AZ31 Magnesium-Aluminium-Zinc-Manganese alloy, which is lighter than carbon with the tactile quality of metal.
The material innovation didn't stop there for Ming LW.01. Instead of sapphire, the protective crystal is Corning Gorilla Glass 6, which is significantly lighter than sapphire but with the same hardness and resistance. To save further weight, the sliver of bezel is internally hollowed out. The crown is anodised aluminium.
Read more: Ming co-founder Ming Thein on the rise of Asian watchmakers
Internally, the dial ring and movement are combined, supported in the rear by a cage with 3D struts.
The final results are featherweight watches—minus the strap—with the manual weighing 8.8g and the automatic 10.8g
Display-wise, it features a pulse seconds disc, the shrunken hour hand of the 17.03, and the gradient and skeleton peripheral ring of the 19 series. It is paired with an Alcantara strap with AZ31 buckle.
