Ming, the independent watchmaker renowned for its distinctive design language and innovative material applications, has once again pushed boundaries with its latest limited edition: the 37.06 Royal Selangor. This new timepiece is not merely a watch; it is a celebration of Malaysian heritage and craftsmanship, born from a unique collaboration with Royal Selangor, the world's foremost name in quality pewter.
The partnership between Ming and Royal Selangor is deeply rooted in shared Malaysian origins. The genesis of this collaboration traces back to a serendipitous encounter: Ming Thein, co-founder of Ming, assisted a patron in collecting a camera that Royal Selangor had reskinned in Kuala Lumpur. A subsequent lunch between Thein and Yong Yoon Li, the managing director of Royal Selangor, blossomed into a friendship and, ultimately, this horological endeavor. The result is an authentic Malaysian collaboration that seamlessly blends Ming's contemporary aesthetic with Royal Selangor's 141-year legacy of pewter craft.
A Dial Unlike Any Other: The Art of Pewter
At the heart of the 37.06 Royal Selangor lies its most striking feature: a hammered pewter dial, meticulously crafted by Royal Selangor in Kuala Lumpur. Pewter, an alloy primarily composed of tin, strengthened with small amounts of copper and antimony, is a material rarely seen in watchmaking. Its inherent qualities, however, make it exceptionally compelling at dial scale.
Unlike many metals, pewter does not tarnish or corrode easily, ensuring its longevity. Over time, it is designed to develop a soft, distinctive patina, a characteristic that promises each watch will age uniquely with its owner, becoming a personal testament to its journey. This durability and low-maintenance nature make it well-suited for an object destined to be worn and lived with. The hammered surface of the dial imparts a captivating visual depth without excess and a rich texture without overt ornamentation. It is engineered to catch and reflect light differently from every angle, creating a dynamic interplay of shadows and highlights that constantly shifts with wrist movement.
The warmth inherent in the pewter dial presents a deliberate and striking contrast to the cool, all-brushed grade-2 titanium case that frames it. This thoughtful juxtaposition of materials underscores Ming's commitment to aesthetic harmony and tactile experience. In typical Ming fashion, the dial itself remains free of traditional applied markers or printing. Instead, the hour markers and the brand's logo are elegantly engraved on the underside of the top sapphire crystal, then filled with Super-LumiNova X1. This innovative approach creates a floating effect, allowing the hammered pewter surface to remain uninterrupted and fully appreciated. Complementing this unique display are the distinctive blued 37-series hands, also coated with a generous application of Super-LumiNova X1, ensuring legibility in varying light conditions.
The 37-Series Case: A Refined Foundation
The 37.06 Royal Selangor is housed within Ming's acclaimed 37-series case, a design that has become a signature element in the brand's catalog. Crafted from grade-2 titanium, the case boasts an all-brushed finish, contributing to its understated elegance and robust character. Titanium's inherent properties—lightness and strength—are fully leveraged here, resulting in a watch head that weighs a mere 35.9 grams, ensuring exceptional comfort on the wrist.
With a diameter of 38mm, a thickness of 11.05mm, and a compact lug-to-lug measurement of 44.73mm, the case is proportioned for versatile wearability across a range of wrist sizes. Practicality is further enhanced by a water resistance rating of 100 meters and a standard 20mm lug width, offering flexibility for strap changes. The caseback, visible through a domed sapphire crystal, is engraved with the wordmarks of both MING and Royal Selangor, a subtle nod to the collaborative spirit. Both the front and rear domed sapphire crystals benefit from double-sided anti-reflective coating, ensuring optimal clarity and reducing glare.
Precision Within: The MING-Customized Movement
Powering the 37.06 Royal Selangor is the Swiss-made Sellita for MING SW300.M1, an automatic movement that delivers approximately 50 hours of power reserve. While based on a reliable Sellita caliber, this movement has been extensively customized to meet Ming's exacting standards and aesthetic vision. It features skeletonized, rhodium-plated bridges with a brushed finish, set against an anthracite-coated baseplate. This bespoke finishing is visible through the exhibition caseback, offering a glimpse into the mechanical artistry within. The movement measures 25.6mm in diameter and 3.6mm in thickness, containing 25 jewels, all contributing to its precise and dependable performance.
A Complete Malaysian Narrative: Craft and Assembly
The collaboration extends beyond the dial and into the very assembly of the timepiece. In a significant first for Ming, the entire 88-piece run of the 37.06 Royal Selangor will be assembled locally in Kuala Lumpur. This decision reflects Ming's investment in and development of specific infrastructure for this collaboration, further cementing the watch's authentic Malaysian identity. For a timepiece already deeply rooted in Malaysian material and craft, bringing the final assembly home provides a fitting and meaningful conclusion to its narrative.
Royal Selangor's own story is one of enduring Malaysian craftsmanship. It began in 1885 when Yong Koon, a young pewtersmith from Shantou, China, arrived in Kuala Lumpur, then a tin-rich state. The company's dedication to quality was recognized with a royal warrant from Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah, the Sultan of Selangor, in 1979, leading to the adoption of the Royal Selangor name in 1992. Today, Royal Selangor remains headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, with its factory in Setapak employing over 200 craftspeople and a design team of around 40. Their work spans traditional pewterware, contemporary objects, and design-led collaborations, maintaining a strong connection to Malaysian craft and the preservation of pewter-making skills.
Adding to the collector's experience, the 37.06 Royal Selangor arrives in a special hammered pewter presentation box, also crafted by Royal Selangor. This exquisite box mirrors the unique texture of the dial, creating a cohesive and immersive presentation that underscores the depth of the collaboration.
Availability and Exclusivity
The Ming 37.06 Royal Selangor is a highly exclusive offering, limited to just 88 pieces worldwide. It is priced at CHF 5,000, excluding taxes. Initially, the watch will be available exclusively in person at select Royal Selangor boutiques, offering an opportunity for enthusiasts to experience the timepiece firsthand. A small batch will subsequently be made available for online purchase via the Ming website on August 6, 2026, at 10:00 AM GMT.
This limited edition is more than a new release; it is a testament to Ming's philosophy of exploring unique materials and fostering meaningful collaborations. The 37.06 Royal Selangor stands as a compelling example of how traditional craft and contemporary watchmaking can converge to create something truly distinctive and culturally resonant.
Written by Man of the Hour.