Introducing the Ming 57.04 Phoenix

At its core, good branding comes down to balancing two often contradictory things at once: to maintain brand recognition, while not becoming stale. For a brand like MING, which has built something of a reputation for its roster of eye-catching designs, this is an especially fine line. The Malaysian watchmakers have continued to up their own ante, so to speak, meaning that to build a better watch, they have often had to compete against themselves in both aesthetics and technical precision.

This is, perhaps, why they have looked back at the 57.04 Iris, but this time with a slightly softer eye. Instead of the vibrant purple-blue dial, MING has released the 57.04 Phoenix, with a decidedly more monochromatic dial in grey. At first glance, this may seem like a safer play for the brand; but, I can assure you, it’s anything but. Using the same multiphasic coating that was seen on the Iris, the Phoenix uses radial cutouts on the metal baseplate, curved sculpting, and negative relief. The finishing touch is the redesigned subdial, which has been treated with Super-LumiNova X1 and MING Polar White lume for added visual texture. The end result is a dial that leans more on light and shadows than colors to build a watch that is dynamic while highlighting all the technical precision we’ve come to expect from Ming.

Like the Iris, the Phoenix is set up as a destro (left-handed) monopusher chronograph, powered by a uniquely configured Sellita for MING Cal. SW562.M1 movement, promising roughly 60 hours of power. This movement is housed within a 40mm stainless steel case that has, like its predecessor, been influenced by Art Deco style, undoubtedly seen through the alternating use of brushed and polished elements to give the case a subtle, but no less distinct, look to it. 

The case is completed by stepped lugs, which MING is proud to note takes nine separate pieces to create. The watch is paired with a grey FKM rubber strap or the ever-popular MING polymesh bracelet.

The MING 57.04 Phoenix is available now with prices ranging from CHF 6,250 (for the rubber strap) to CHF 7,250 (for the polymesh bracelet). With only 150 watches made, be sure to visit MING’s website, or an authorized retail partner, to grab yours before they’re gone.