Credits: Article and images by Joshua Munchow @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/12/30/ming-37-05-moonphase-form-over-function-has-rarely-looked-better-reprise/
—————————————————————————————————–
Function still matters
An annular moon phase display is awesomely integrated into the Mingaesthetic, but it isn’t the world’s best moon phase display. A lot of that comes back to practicality as well. Form over function is great, but function is still critical to a project’s success. Moon phase mechanisms are not super common across the industry, so there are a limited number of calibers to begin with before needing to design an add on module for complete customization.
Using the Sellita SW288-1M, a manual winding version of the SW288, saved 1.2 mm of case thickness and provided an easy to integrate central moon phase display for a larger impact without needing a whole custom module.
Back of the Ming 37.05 Moonphase
Opting for that movement has tradeoffs, including the need to wind your watch every day to maintain moon phase accuracy and being a fair bit smaller than the eventual case diameter which is a common complaint from collectors about all sorts of watches. But Ming also tried to offset these tradeoffs by having Schwarz-Etienne fully rework the caliber to make it a more refined product, adding value to the off-the-shelf caliber.
The design of the moon phase display and the dial as a whole works very well with the spacing of the date and other design elements, working with the fact that the size differential is there.
Brands often tout their moon phase accuracy as impressive, but as the SW288 has the lowest precision of 1 day of correction being required every 2.7 years, maintaining perfect consistency is already more difficult. Even if you wound it every day, and it was your only watch, you would still start to drift. But as the moon phase display is not clearly obvious means that a shift of even a couple days is not a big deal since the visual depiction doesn’t match what you are seeing in the sky anyway.
This is not the moon phase watch you buy for accuracy, nor is any watch with the SW288. This is the watch you buy for the aesthetic, and you get the bonus of a relatively accurate moon phase. For the effort that went into the design of the 37.05 and upgrading the movement, the moon phase is a feature you like for how it looks.
Not every moon phase watch will compare to the Ochs und Junior or an Andreas Strehler, because design intent matters just as much as mechanical intent. And this coming from a guy that likes mechanics more than watches.
Things can be grouped in different categories for different reasons, and Ming watches are form over function as they are obsessive about aesthetics. But that doesn’t mean they skimp on the mechanics, it’s all just relative. Never have I wanted a moon phase watch this much precisely for its lack of clearly showing a very accurate moon phase, because this watch is design-minded, and I’m happy that they didn’t skip the moon phase all together. Perhaps they will revisit the complication with a module later and try a different idea — and I will probably adore that one too.
Ming 37.05 Moonphase
As the sun sets and the moon comes out, let’s break this down!
- Wowza Factor * 8.8 MING design always brings a wow, and seeing a moon phase was an extra surprise for me!
- Late Night Lust Appeal * 88 » 862.985m/s2 Of course this is a high late night lust appeal, staying up to see the moon and share in the luminous display is what this watch is about!
- M.G.R. * 56.4 The Sellita SW288 is a solid hand winding movement that Schwarz-Etienne put some very nice rework into to make a pretty cool moon phase watch!
- Added-Functionitis * Mild Given that the moon phase is a tish more aesthetic than precise, the added date keeps this functionitis mild enough you can get children’s strength Gotta-HAVE-That cream while taking it for a spin in the moonlight!
- Ouch Outline * 9.7 Twisting your ankle running with your dog! Empty fields are not level fields, and it is very possible both you and your canine friend could step into a gopher hole and end up with a limp for a week. Still, if I was running to catch the 37.05 I’d happily take the risk!
- Mermaid Moment * A unique take on a moon phase! Precision sometimes can’t compete with aesthetics and with this piece it’s enough to have you writing your vows!
- Awesome Total * 888 Start by taking the number of pieces in the limited edition (500) and add that to the depth of water resistance in meters (100) as well as the caliber number (288) to end on a beautifully balanced awesome total!
For more information, please visit www.ming.watch/products/ming-37-05-moonphase-2.
Quick Facts Ming 37.05 Moonphase
Case: 38 x 11.9 mm, 316L stainless steel
Movement: manual winding caliber Sellita for MING SW288.M1, 38-hour power reserve, 28,800 vph/4Hz
Functions: Hours, minutes, date, moon phase
Limitation: 500 pieces, sold out
Price: 4,950 Swiss francs
You may also enjoy:
Creator Conversation: An In-Depth Discussion With Ming Thein Of Ming Watches
Why I Bought It: Ming Watches Model 17.06 Monolith
Ming 18.01 H41 And 27.01: Revolution And Evolution
The 10 Most Accurate Moon Phase Wristwatches Today, Plus Honorable Mention
Credits: Article and images by Joshua Munchow @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2023/12/30/ming-37-05-moonphase-form-over-function-has-rarely-looked-better-reprise/
