Independent watchmaker Ming Thein has unveiled the MING 21.01—also known as Project 21: Horological Omakase—a limited-edition timepiece born from a collector dinner held in Singapore in 2023. Originally created for 10 collectors who placed their trust (and deposits) in Thein’s vision, the brand is now releasing 15 additional pieces to the public.
The MING 21.01 reflects Thein’s signature style—a mix of modern precision and vintage aesthetics. “It is visually thin and refined, yet tactilely robust and hefty; it looks small but wears larger,” Thein said. The watch features a compact 35mm case made of tantalum, a dense and difficult-to-machine metal, chosen to give the watch both weight and presence.
Los Angeles-based watchmaker J.N. Shapiro and his team handled the case production, applying three distinct finishes: mirror-polished edges, finely brushed tops, and sandblasted flanks. “We feel a tantalum case like this has never been made before,” said Shapiro, noting the technical challenges involved.
At the heart of the MING 21.01 is a reworked version of the historic Frédéric Piguet Caliber 21—an ultra-thin movement used by brands like Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. Thein added new bridges, including one in titanium, and refined the movement with polished anglage, sandblasted surfaces, and skeletonization to showcase the gear train. Jewels are set in traditional chatons, enhancing the vintage-meets-modern appeal.
The watch dial extends to the outer edges of the case, creating the illusion of a larger size. The hands are skeletonized and finished with polished, angled sides. A calf leather strap complements the design. The watch offers water resistance to 50 meters.
The MING 21.01 will be priced at CHF 32,500 (about $36,600), with a 30% deposit required at the time of order. It is available through Ming’s official website and authorized dealers.
With this launch, Thein and his team continue to challenge traditional watchmaking by blending heritage techniques with modern materials—offering collectors a rare and thoughtful creation in a compact but powerful package.