An extra-darkened version of the popular 37 .02 model delivers a full dose of Zen-minimalism, with a playful tropical twist – and, believe me, it'll sell out before you can even say "Monolith."
Independent boutique maker from Kuala Lumpur He hit the table again and carved a small but mighty black hole out of stainless steel for your wrist – MING 37 .02 MonolithMonolith is the third chapter in the 37.02 saga (after Minimalist and Ghost) and – as the name suggests – devours light, reflections and the opinions of relatives who still swear by smartwatches at dinner.
MING 37 .02 Monolith – Why is Monolith different?
Instead of shining, the Monolith with its anthracite DLC layer prefers to absorb photons, which has delighted everyone who wants a watch that doesn't beg for attention, but subtly demands it. Only a hundred of them will be made each year, which is about as many as MING sells on average in the first ten minutes after its launch – and yes, as you read this sentence, the novelty is already marked as sold out.
Case: MING 37 .02 Monolith – when steel takes on a dark finish
The case measures 38mm in diameter and 11mm in height, while the lug-to-lug remains a comfortable 44.5mm – numbers that will please both collectors of seagull-sized wrists and lovers of compact aesthetics. The Tahitian black look is the result of a mix of brushed and matte surfaces under a DLC mask; pagoda lugs remain an unmistakable MING signature. A double crown with double seals ensures 100m of water resistance, enough to watch the sunset – or spilled coffee – without worry.
Checkmate on the dial
The sapphire dial plays with the eyes: straight on it's pitch black, but when turned sideways it turns into a mirror that will reveal your morning frizz fail or the envy of your neighbor. The laser-cut channels are hand-filled with Polar White luminescence, founder Ming Thein's own cocktail that glows true white - a rarity in the watch world. The hands with blue Super-LumiNova X1 illumination ensure that you can separate hours from minutes (and excuses from facts) even in the dark.
Mechanism: Swiss heart under Malaysian baton
Behind the glass back, a Sellita SW300-M1 ticks by: 4 Hz, 45 hours of power reserve and skeletonized anthracite bridges that match the case color – Zen on steroids. Not as exotic as a tourbillon, but service-friendly and more reliable than the weather forecast for a weekend picnic.
A strap that screams "summer"
The mystery ends with the strap: the vibrant "mango" orange FKM rubber screams that the watch is not just an urban ninja, but also a beach party animal. The strap with a 20 mm lug width and quick release will satisfy anyone who likes to change styles faster than algorithms change trends.
Who is this watch for – and can you even get one?
If you already sharpened your credit card last night, I'm sorry to inform you that the first batch of 3,500 CHF has already sold out. But hope dies last: MING promises a hundred pieces per year, so we recommend signing up for their waiting list and training your reflexes for the next "drop".
Excerpt for the impatient: MING 37 .02 Monolith
- Housing: 38 mm steel, anthracite DLC, 100 m WR
- Dial: sapphire with Polar White luminescence
- Mechanism: Sellita SW300-M1, 45 h reserve
- Strap: mango FKM rubber, 20 mm
- Price: CHF 3,500 (+ tax)
- Quantity: 100 pieces per year – fast, even faster!
To summarize: Monolith is proof that MING can exude both Zen minimalism and tropical energy. A black hole on your wrist? Maybe. But with a mango frappe flavor.
