MING’s Spectral-Themed Ghost Watch Opts for Grade 2 Titanium, Giving It a Monochromatic Look

In a watch industry saturated with one viral release after another, MING once again demonstrates why they’ve become one of the foremost indie darlings of serious collectors. Since 2017, the Malaysian horological disruptor has debuted stunning takes on its now-instantly-recognizable design language. And with its aptly named Ghost model unveiled today, it points its signature minimalism in an exquisite new direction.

ARCHITECTURAL APPARITION

Following up its white-glowing 37.02 Minimalist from last year, MING transposes its approach to a fully brushed grade 2 titanium package that perfectly balances industrial aesthetics and elegance. Namesake founder Ming Thein conceived this watch as a physical manifestation of “ethereal light playing off a forest of architecturally finished metallic surfaces.” Certainly, the execution delivers on that poetic vision. 

Unlike virtually every other titanium watch on the market, which typically uses easier-to-machine grade 5 alloy, the Ghost embraces the challenges of working with pure grade 2 titanium. The differences might be small but significant when it comes to manufacturing. Grade 5 adds aluminum and vanadium to the mix to make it stronger, while grade 2 is pure titanium, a material so stubborn and temperamental during machining that most manufacturers actively avoid it. 

Our recently reviewed Omega Seamaster 007 Edition is also constructed from grade 2 titanium for a visual reference.

According to MING, “Pure titanium is difficult to machine as it’s highly ductile and has a low elastic modulus, meaning the material can deflect instead of cutting. [I]t tends to also harden through heat cycling and impact, making it change character during machining and become increasingly harder to cut.”

Simply put, the material can’t be polished, which forced MING’s designers to create visual interest through a meticulous orchestration of contrasting brush directions. The result is a watch that shape-shifts depending on how light strikes it, creating an almost otherworldly glow that perfectly justifies its spectral name.

LIGHTWEIGHT As Ever

Despite not explicitly setting out to create an ultralight watch (they’ve already done that with the LW.01’s mind-boggling 8.8-gram case), the 37.02 Ghost tips the scales at a featherweight 35g (~1.23oz). The engineering team has pulled off this miracle without sacrificing structural integrity, thanks to the inherent properties of grade 2 titanium combined with the pressure-balanced domed sapphire crystals on either side. 

ENGINEERING OVERKILL

MING has earned a reputation for overbuilding their watches, and the Ghost continues this tradition. Stretching a modest 38mm across with an 11-mm thickness, the case boasts 100m of water resistance — surprising for a dress watch indeed. But despite leaving 100m on the case as “an inside joke to [the brand’s] engineering paranoia,” the Ghost actually blew past MING’s initial calculations during pressure testing and survived depths of 260m, outperforming many dedicated divers on the market. 

Powering the watch is a thoroughly customized Sellita SW300 automatic movement, rebadged as the SW300.M1. MING’s version features anthracite skeletonized bridges and a custom rotor that complements the monochromatic aesthetic of the watch. Displayed through the caseback, the caliber also delivers a 28,800vph beat rate and around 50 hours of power reserve.

THE DIAL EXPERIENCE

What truly sets this watch apart from other dress watches (and even other MING watches) is its uniquely constructed dial. Made entirely from grade 2 titanium like the case, the dial features a two-part construction with a flat central section and an angled outer section that meets the rehaut. 

The brand has also applied contrasting circular and radial brushing patterns that create a surprisingly dynamic play of light despite the monochromatic palette. At night, the Ghost upholds MING’s reputation for outstanding legibility with deposits of blue Super-LumiNova X1 on both the hands and crystal, creating that signature floating index effect that has become a hallmark of the brand. However, unlike the 37.02 Minimalist, which featured the brand’s groundbreaking white-glowing lume, the X1 simply glows blue for the Ghost.

Lastly, MING completes the monochromatic look with a matching gray goat leather strap with a titanium tuck buckle.

SPEC SHEET

PRICING & AVAILABILITY

Unlike past MING releases, the 37.02 Ghost gets a slightly higher edition size, limited to a more accessible 250 pieces. Priced at CHF 3,500 (~$3,950), the timepiece is available now from the brand’s website.

Recap

MING 37.02 Ghost

Giving it at monochromatic aesthetic, MING opts for grade 2 titanium on both the case and dial of its 37.02 Ghost watch.

Learn More: MING