New Watch Release: Incoming

mhz vph · 2021-04-15T12:31:46Z

Discover the thrill of acquiring a Ming 17.09. mhz vph shares his strategy for securing this coveted timepiece, with community insights on its unique caliber and market dynamics.

mhz vph

WPS member · Independents forum

43 replies8063 views1 photos

In this article, mhz vph shares the exhilarating, albeit stressful, experience of securing a Ming 17.09. His detailed account of preparing for the rapid online sale offers valuable insights into the competitive landscape of acquiring highly sought-after independent watches. This piece not only celebrates his successful purchase but also serves as a guide for collectors navigating similar high-demand releases.

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I am happy to report that I managed to purchase a blue Ming 17.09 this morning!

I had read many a post about how quickly these watches get bought up, so I spent the past few days preparing for zero hour. The most critical step was setting up autofill for all of my credit card and shipping information. Without this I do not think I would have been fast enough. I also tried to prepare mentally, visualizing what the interface might look like and what to do if something went wrong. Thankfully it was all very straightforward. After an initial error message due to high traffic, the webpage loaded and I just went through the steps as quickly as possible.

Because this is the batch for first time buyers, I will not be taking delivery until sometime in October. Despite that fact, I don't think any other purchase was as exhilarating (or, admittedly, as stressful) as this one. I've been excited about Ming for quite a while, but the time just wasn't right during other releases. I either didn't have the cash on hand, or I was focusing on a different project. But the stars have finally aligned.

I'll do photos and a little review when it shows up!

Key Points from the Discussion

The Ming 17.09 features an interesting complication: an independently adjustable hour hand, powered by the caliber 330.M1, a movement developed in collaboration with Manufacture Schwarz Etienne.
Ming watches have shown continuous improvement in design and execution since their initial releases, with subsequent models demonstrating enhanced aesthetics and overall quality.
Securing a Ming 17.09 often requires rapid action and preparation, such as setting up autofill for payment and shipping details, due to high demand and quick sell-out times, though some batches offer a longer purchase window.
International credit card transactions for overseas purchases can be declined, adding an extra layer of stress and potential delay in securing a watch during a limited sales window.
Order numbers for Ming watches reflect the total number of orders since the brand's inception, with higher numbers indicating later batches and potentially longer wait times, sometimes exceeding 12 months for popular models like the 17.09.
The extended wait times for independent brands like Ming, while a downside, can be mitigated by the strong secondary market, where watches often retain their value, offering a potential exit strategy for collectors.

The Discussion

Jay (Eire)

Apr 15, 2021

It looks great.

I like the aesthetic a lot. I thought about it this week but ultimately didn’t go for one (although there’s always tomorrow). Only reasoning was “do I really need another watch” !!! (A common question for us folks here). I will say the first watch looked much better on paper than in the metal, but having handled several of the subsequent watches Ming have increased or improved every aspect of these watches since then. Congratulations. Hopefully October will come fast !

mhz vph

Apr 15, 2021

Every watch in my collection was purchased sight unseen

It's the unfortunate reality of buying stuff on the internet. Thankfully, I can always sell if need be, probably for about as much as I paid for it. Hopefully I won't feel the need to do that. It definitely looks great in the photos, and is spec'd excellently for the price.

Jay (Eire)

Apr 15, 2021

I think you’ll be very happy with it. As I mentioned Ming seem to have increased quality and design with every iteration.

mhz vph

Apr 15, 2021

Agreed, they are definitely on the rise

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Horology75

Apr 15, 2021

I never checked Ming watches however first time few days ago I felt attracted to this one ..

Too lazy to make the effort and offcourse no hard work no play!

mhz vph

Apr 15, 2021

The addition of the time limited batch is very nice

For those who don't want to go through the race for the prebuilt ones. A year is a very long time to wait though... This is one of the downsides of independent brands. It is nice to be able to take your time with a purchase, and stroll into an AD whenever you're ready (unless you're a first time Rolex buyer... lol)