Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsThe MING LW.01 weighs 8.8 g in its manual version and 10.8 g in its automatic version as a watch head. Add the matching strap and buckle specified by MING, and those figures become 10.6 g and 12.6 g. MING describes the LW.01 as what it believes are “the world’s lightest mechanical wristwatches,” but that is a qualified manufacturer claim—not an independently established world record.
How much does the MING LW.01 weigh?
MING’s official archive distinguishes the watch head from a ready-to-wear setup. The head-only weights exclude the strap and buckle; the ready-to-wear totals use the particular strap and buckle MING specifies.
| Version | Winding | Watch-head weight | Ready-to-wear weight |
|---|---|---|---|
| LW.01M | Manual | 8.8 g | 10.6 g |
| LW.01A | Automatic | 10.8 g | 12.6 g |
The ready-to-wear arithmetic adds MING’s stated 0.6 g AZ31 buckle and 1.2 g “record” specification Alcantara strap. These totals describe that configuration, not every strap or buckle combination. MING’s product archive gives the weights and component figures.
Is it really the world’s lightest mechanical watch?
MING’s wording is deliberately qualified: “what we believe are the world’s lightest mechanical wristwatches.” The cited weights are specific to the LW.01’s watch head and its stated strap-and-buckle setup. The available evidence does not establish an independently certified record or a comparison against every competing mechanical watch using the same measurement basis.
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So the precise answer is that the LW.01 is an exceptionally light mechanical watch, and MING claims it is among the world’s lightest. Calling it definitively the lightest would go beyond what those figures establish.
What makes the LW.01 so light?
MING approached the LW.01 as an engineering exercise: make a wearable mechanical watch with a metal case, without resorting to a dedicated featherweight movement. The project journal says the team chose the ETA 2000 rather than developing an exotic movement for the purpose. MING’s project journal describes that design challenge.
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Magnesium case and integrated structure
The case and dial structure use PEO-treated AZ31 magnesium alloy. Rather than treating the dial ring and movement holder as separate components, MING combines them into one structure supported from behind by a cage with three-dimensional struts. The bezel is hollowed internally, and the company says it optimized small components, including screws, for weight.
MING says it used finite-element simulation to assess torsional rigidity. It selected AZ31 for its metal feel, lower density than carbon-fiber derivatives the team considered, and greater production consistency than hollow-core 3D printing. These are the manufacturer’s explanations of its design choices, not independent test findings.
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Automatic model specifications
MING’s archive lists these specifications for the automatic LW.01:
- 38 mm diameter and 6.5 mm thickness
- 25 m water resistance
- ETA 2000.M1 automatic movement, with approximately 36 hours of power reserve at full wind
- Gorilla Glass 6 crystal with hardening and antireflective treatment
- Anodised-aluminium crown and PEEK composite screws
The crystal-based construction and combined dial-ring/movement-holder structure are part of the effort to reduce mass while retaining a conventional mechanical timekeeping system.
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- Movement: PT5000 [Automatic mechanical movement] Case: Material - Bronze 40 mm in diameter Lug to Lug 49mm Thickness 11.3mm Band width 20mm
- Glass: Sapphire Crystal, Dial Color: Black, Blue,white(lume) Hands: Luminous ，Hands and Markers
- Crown: Screw-down Crown Case Back: Screw Case back Strap: Classic Pilot Style Leather, Width 20*18mm Clasp: Bronze Buckle Water Resistant: 10Bar=100 Meters Warranty: 2 Year
Manual or automatic: which version should you look for?
The launch coverage identified the manual watch as LW.01M and the automatic as LW.01A. The manual version is 2 g lighter by MING’s head-only figures, and 2 g lighter in the ready-to-wear configuration listed above. The trade-off is winding: the manual requires winding by hand, while the automatic uses the ETA 2000.M1. Hodinkee’s 2023 launch coverage reported both variants and the launch details.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Can you still buy a new LW.01?
No. MING’s archive says the watch is sold out, deliveries are complete, and it “will not be produced again.” It is not an active new-production purchase.
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Hodinkee reported a CHF 19,500 launch price and a total edition of 200 watches in 2023. That price is historical launch context, not a current resale valuation. Current secondary-market listings and prices are not established by the cited information.
What should you know about replacement straps?
The LW.01 has a 20 mm width and fixed integral bars. A 20 mm width alone does not mean an ordinary spring-bar strap will fit. Check that any replacement is compatible with fixed bars before buying; compatibility with a standard spring-bar attachment is not established by the width specification.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
