Ming’s Dual Dial Collaboration: “Peepshow” and “Lightning” Releases
Ming’s recent collaborations with J.N. Shapiro showcase an inventive approach to watch dial design, merging traditional hand‑guilloché techniques with modern heat‑treatment and polarized sapphire elements. The 37.06 “Lightning” dial originates from grade‑2 titanium blanks that are hand‑guilloché in Los Angeles, then heat‑treated in Kuala Lumpur to produce unique color variations, while the case remains stainless steel with flared lugs and a domed crystal. Powered by a manually‑wound Sellita movement, the watch offers a 42‑hour power reserve and 100 m water resistance, priced at CHF 6,250 and currently on a waitlist. The 29.06 “Peepshow” takes a different direction, featuring a multiphase color‑shifting guilloché dial covered by a crystal that works with two linearly polarized sapphire “hands” to reveal or hide the pattern depending on their angle. Housed in a grade‑2 titanium case, it runs an 86‑hour power‑reserve movement with a tungsten microrotor and is sold out at CHF 22,000 as a 50‑piece limited edition. Both watches emphasize Ming’s role as a materials and manufacturing incubator, using the time‑intensive dial processes to justify higher price points while delivering striking visual innovations.
Buying Time Analysis: This story highlights how innovative dial craftsmanship and collaborative design push watchmaking boundaries, illustrating the value of creative engineering and limited‑edition storytelling in the luxury market.
