MING 37.09 Bluefin

It might have been several years since our last dive watch, the 18.01 H41, but we haven’t been idle in development. Today we present the 37.09 Bluefin – our latest interpretation of the genre, our first watch with an internally rotating dial and in keeping with our current design language.

Initially, we wanted to exceed the H41 in technical ability. This was achieved but at the cost of severe aesthetic and ergonomic compromises we simply could not solve despite dozens of iterations – after all, there is only so much you can do with a 19mm thick case. In the end we decided to take a step back conceptually to a slimmer diver in the more elegant architecture of the 37-series: enter the 37.09 Bluefin.

It turned out that by tweaks to the curvature of the front and rear crystals, prototypes achieved a crush depth of 900m after 24h saturation – more than three times our initial target. The 37.09 Bluefin is thus conservatively rated at 600m. It remains a comfortably proportioned 38mm in diameter with a 12.8mm thickness, 2.8mm of which is externally domed sapphire crystal. Paired with the alternating polished and brushed finishes, this is a watch that wears much thinner on the wrist but has a generous visual presence due to the almost complete absence of a bezel.

Although the 37.09 Bluefin is aesthetically similar to the other models in the 37-series, it has its own unique internal construction for two reasons: pressure resistance, and to support the timer scale required of a diver. Instead of using the traditional rotating bezel, we moved this internally onto a Super-LumiNova X1 filled sapphire dial. A sealed crown at 4 o'clock rotates the entire dial via a 60-click, unidirectional mechanism secured by sprung bearings. The crown does not pull out or screw down, has luminous fill to be easily located, and may be operated underwater.

We continue our design tradition of minimizing dial text with new timing scales that are easy to index and read for both main time and elapsed time. They use both color and diminishing boldness to make it easy to see where the scale begins. As the dial rotates, the Hyceram hour indices are on the underside of the top crystal. The dial also uses a new sapphire process: a deep blue colored metallization that compliments the scales and handset. It still delivers our signature inversion, which ensures optimal legibility under all lighting conditions – an ideal for a technical dive watch – as well as a dynamic presence and visual character.

The Bluefin would not be a MING without our traditionally excessive amount of luminous material; essentially every marking and hand is treated with various mixtures of Super-LumiNova X1. We also have a new multilayer process for printing on hands that should be even brighter, longer lasting and more homogeneous than before.

We have once again partnered with Sellita to power the 37.09, with a customized SW300-1 that offers 50 hours of power reserve, bidirectional automatic winding and the central running seconds required of a dive watch.

Completing the 37.09 Bluefin is something that has been in development nearly as long as the watch itself – a moulded FKM rubber strap, with curved bars and universal compatibility with all of our other 20mm lug watches. It was developed to follow the natural shape of the wrist, with the relaxed curvature of the strap forming a 70x50mm oval. 

In addition to the sculptural surfacing and our logo on the top, the buckle side is also pocketed to comfortably receive the longer end in the same fashion as our tuck buckle straps. It is keeperless and tapered in thickness to sit comfortably on the wrist, and with a compound balanced between softness for comfort and support for heavier watch heads.

We honestly didn’t think it would be this complex or expensive to develop, but most of the team now believes it is the most comfortable strap we have made. It will also be available soon as a standalone accessory in other colors and lengths.

Pricing and deliveries

The MING 37.09 Bluefin is priced at CHF 4,950 with 500 of this variant to be produced for 2024. They will be exclusively available at www.ming.watch. Orders open at 1PM GMT on 24 May 2024. A 50% deposit is due at the time of order, with the balance on delivery – which we expect to start in October 2024.

Technical specifications

MING 37.09 Bluefin

Limited edition of 500 pieces for 2024

Case

• Material: 316L stainless steel, with a polished-brushed finish
• Diameter: 38mm
• Thickness: 12.8mm
• Lug-to-lug: 44.5mm
• Domed sapphire crystals front and rear, with double-sided antireflective coating
• Water-resistant to 600 meters
• Lug width: 20mm

Dial and hands

• Super-LumiNova X1 indices inside top crystal, and on sapphire dial
• Super-LumiNova X1 coated hands

Movement

• Sellita for MING SW300.M1
• Automatic winding with ~50hr power reserve at full wind
• Hacking seconds for setting
• Anthracite skeletonized bridges and rotor with contrast circular brushing

Functions/Indications

• Hours, minutes and seconds
• Internal 60-click timer scale on unidirectional rotating dial, via crown at 4
• Automatic winding

Strap and buckle

• New moulded FKM rubber strap
• 20mm width, curved bars with quick release
• Fitted with ‘flying blade’ tuck buckle with micro adjustment

MSRP

• CHF 4,950 – 50% deposit for order confirmation
• Deliveries expected to start October 2024

For more information, please visit ming.watch