The MING 21.01 “Project 21” pairs a vintage-derived, hand-wound Frederic Piguet movement with a 35 mm monobloc tantalum case and a layered glass-and-brass dial. It measures 6.9 mm thick, offers 50 m water resistance and was made in two small groups: ten Souscription watches and a 15-piece public edition. MING now lists it as sold out, with deliveries complete and no further production planned.
What is the MING 21.01 Project 21?
Project 21 is a compact, time-only MING built around an ultra-flat movement and an unusually substantial case material. The contrast is deliberate: its dimensions suggest a thin, restrained dress watch, while tantalum gives the case a dense, tactile feel. MING’s founder, Ming Thein, described the aim as making a watch that “looks small but wears larger” and appears vintage while using forms enabled by modern technology.
The project began at a collectors’ dinner in Singapore in 2023, where attendees challenged Thein to design a watch for himself without the usual commercial constraints. Ten collectors agreed to fund the initial “horological omakase” project against a price cap, estimated delivery and proposed movement before the final design was known. MING says those Souscription watches were delivered in early 2025.
Specifications at a glance
| Specification | MING 21.01 Project 21 |
|---|---|
| Functions | Hours and minutes |
| Case | Monobloc tantalum |
| Diameter | 35 mm |
| Thickness | 6.9 mm |
| Water resistance | 50 m |
| Lug width | 20 mm |
| Movement | Hand-wound vintage Frederic Piguet Cal. 21, modified and reworked for MING |
| Movement thickness | 1.75 mm |
| Jewels | 18 |
| Power reserve | Approximately 38 hours |
| Straps | Jean Rousseau Paris calf leather strap, plus an additional strap of the customer’s choice |
Dimensions, water resistance, movement figures and included-strap details are from MING’s official Project 21 specification page.
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- Swiss Made Titanium Watch for Men and Women
- Movement: Automatic Mido Caliber - Power reserve 80 hours
- Case Type: Titanium TV-shaped case with see-through case back and screw-down crown with crown guards
- Case Size: 40mm - Case Thickness: 11.48mm - Crystal: Sapphire crystal with double sided anti-reflection treatment
- Strap: Titanium Bracelet with Folding Clasp Closure - Lug Width: 22mm
How the vintage movement was adapted
Project 21 uses a vintage Frederic Piguet Cal. 21, modified and reworked for MING by Mathis Horlogerie and TitAl SA. MING describes the calibre as historically significant and ultra-flat; that characterization is the brand’s account. In this watch, the movement is listed at 1.75 mm thick, with 18 jewels and an approximately 38-hour power reserve. It is hand-wound and drives hours and minutes only.
MING specifies a skeletonized titanium train bridge, sandblasted surfaces, polished anglage and adjustment in five positions. The result is a modernized treatment of a vintage calibre rather than a newly designed movement.
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- AR Sapphire Glass: This watch is equipped with an anti-reflective coated sapphire glass — an exceptionally hard material that offers superior scratch resistance while ensuring exceptional clarity. Whether in bright sunlight or harsh conditions, the dial remains highly legible at all times.
- Quick-Release Nylon Strap for Comfort: The lightweight nylon strap prioritizes all-day comfort, while the quick-release mechanism allows for effortless strap changes to suit any occasion. Low-maintenance and durable, it's designed with convenience in mind.
Why the tantalum case is distinctive
The 35 mm case is made as a tantalum monobloc. Thein’s brief called for three finishes to define its surfaces: a polished edge at the rehaut, a fine circular brush across the concave bezel and into the lug tops, and sandblasted flanks continuing underneath the case. MING credits Joshua Shapiro and his Los Angeles team with making and finishing it.
Shapiro noted the material’s machining challenges, saying his team was pleased with the result despite the difficulties. MING’s official specifications give the case dimensions as 35 mm by 6.9 mm and water resistance as 50 m; those figures describe the watch, not a guarantee of suitability for every water activity.
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- Premium Titanium Build: Crafted entirely from titanium, the watch features a solid titanium strap with a double-safety folding clasp, along with a titanium watch case and back cover — ensuring exceptional durability and a lightweight design.
- Durable Sapphire Glass: Experience enduring clarity with scratch-resistant sapphire glass, maintaining a pristine dial appearance. This timepiece is designed to withstand daily wear and tear, providing a lasting shield against scratches and abrasions. The hands are coated with a luminous material, ensuring easy time reading even in low-light conditions, making it an ideal companion for any occasion.
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How the layered dial is made
The dial combines a fused-borosilicate upper layer with voids and a CVD-coated brass plate below. FEMTOprint produced the glass layer. MING says the indices are etched into the external crystal and the hands are skeletonized. Its project history describes the brass plate as 400 microns thick, with milling that echoes the pattern in the glass above it.
There is no luminous material, according to MING, so the hands and indices do not glow in the dark. The layered construction instead creates depth and contrast through the openings in the glass and the shaped metal beneath.
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- Military-Style Timekeeping: This military-style watch features an inner 24-hour military time scale alongside an outer 12-hour daily time scale. Bold Arabic numerals ensure easy time reading, while a slim red central second hand adds a subtle touch of contrast and style. The markers and hands are luminous for clear visibility in low light.
- Lightweight Titanium: Crafted from premium titanium, this men's field watch offers lightweight durability and exceptional corrosion resistance. Its hypoallergenic properties make it ideal for those with metal allergies, ensuring all-day comfort without irritation.
- Precision Timing & 5ATM Water-Resistant: Powered by a reliable Japanese VH31 quartz movement, this casual titanium watch delivers accurate timekeeping and silent operation. It also features 5ATM water resistance, making it ideal for daily activities like handwashing or getting caught in the rain.
- AR Sapphire Glass: This watch is equipped with an anti-reflective coated sapphire glass — an exceptionally hard material that offers superior scratch resistance while ensuring exceptional clarity. Whether in bright sunlight or harsh conditions, the dial remains highly legible at all times.
- Quick-Release Nylon Strap for Comfort: The lightweight nylon strap prioritizes all-day comfort, while the quick-release mechanism allows for effortless strap changes to suit any occasion. Low-maintenance and durable, it's designed with convenience in mind.
What distinguishes the two editions?
MING’s project history describes ten initial Souscription watches, followed by a public edition of 15. The brand’s press room dates the public Project 21 release to 5 March 2025.
| Group | Quantity and history | Dial treatment reported |
|---|---|---|
| Souscription | 10 watches; committed to by collectors at the 2023 Singapore dinner and delivered in early 2025, according to MING | Blue dial, as reported by Fratello |
| Public edition | 15 watches; publicly released on 5 March 2025, according to MING’s press room | 5N rose-gold-coated dial, as reported by Fratello |
Edition history is described on MING’s Project 21 history page and in its press-room archive; the dial distinction is reported in Fratello’s launch coverage.
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- Lightweight Titanium: Crafted from premium titanium, this men's field watch offers lightweight durability and exceptional corrosion resistance. Its hypoallergenic properties make it ideal for those with metal allergies, ensuring all-day comfort without irritation.
- AR Sapphire Glass: This watch is equipped with an anti-reflective coated sapphire glass — an exceptionally hard material that offers superior scratch resistance while ensuring exceptional clarity. Whether in bright sunlight or harsh conditions, the dial remains highly legible at all times.
- Precision Timing & Waterproof Confidence: Powered by a reliable Japanese VJ53 quartz movement, this titanium watch delivers accurate timekeeping and silent operation. With 10ATM water resistance, this watch effortlessly meets daily waterproof needs for worry-free wear. Engineered to withstand the rigors of everyday life, it offers reliable peace of mind. (Note: This quartz watch is not resistant to hot water.)
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Is the MING 21.01 still available, and what did it cost?
MING’s product page currently says the watch is sold out, deliveries are complete and it will not be produced again. That is the official production status; it does not establish whether a pre-owned example is available or what one should cost. Fratello reported CHF 32,500 as the launch price in its 2025 coverage. Treat that as historical launch pricing, not a current resale valuation.
What strap fits the MING 21.01?
The official lug width is 20 mm, and MING lists a Jean Rousseau Paris calf leather strap plus an additional strap of the customer’s choice. Fratello reports curved bars and quick release. A nominally 20 mm strap may therefore not suit every attachment: confirm that a replacement is compatible with the watch’s specific bars and quick-release arrangement before buying.
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