Born from passion and precision, the MING Project 21 combines vintage charm and modern innovation.
Get the full review of MING Project 21: specs, tantalum case details, Cal. 21 movement upgrades, and why this 15-piece release is making collector history.
In the dynamic world of independent watchmaking, few brands have captured the hearts and minds of collectors like MING. Founded by visionary photographer and designer Ming Thein, MING has consistently challenged traditional notions of what a modern timepiece should be. Each release has been a balance of artistic purity, mechanical curiosity, and thoughtful restraint. Yet in 2023, during an intimate dinner with collectors in Singapore, a simple but daring challenge was proposed to Thein himself:
What would a MING watch look like if designed purely for yourself—without any commercial constraints or compromises?
Thus began the journey of Project 21, a timepiece that is more than just another addition to MING’s growing legacy — it is a personal statement, a technical triumph, and a new standard for what independent horology can aspire to when creativity is given absolute freedom.
Unlike most watch projects that start with detailed renderings and prototypes, Project 21 began with nothing but an idea, a commitment, and a promise of something truly special.
At that pivotal dinner, Ming Thein proposed an omakase approach — much like a high-end Japanese chef’s menu where guests place their trust entirely in the chef’s hands. There would be no design previews, no confirmed specs, and no prototypes shown. Only a commitment to excellence, integrity, and creativity.
Despite the risks, ten bold collectors agreed, trusting Thein and the MING team to create something remarkable. Their faith enabled MING to bypass commercial pressures and build a watch purely around artistic and mechanical ideals, a rare opportunity in an industry increasingly dominated by marketing and hype.
The spirit of Project 21 was clear from the outset: Push boundaries. Embrace craftsmanship. Create without compromise.
When given the freedom to design purely for himself, Thein chose to revisit one of watchmaking’s most enduring challenges: making a small watch feel monumental.
While the industry has trended toward larger cases, Thein selected a 35mm diameter — compact, elegant, and historically resonant. It’s a size that recalls the golden era of mid-century watch design but updated for modern sensibilities through clever engineering.
The case features an almost invisible bezel, pushing the dial outward to maximize visual size. Every line, every curve is considered. The proportions are fine-tuned to deliver wrist presence far greater than the measurements suggest, aided by minimalist markers and an open, airy design.
At 6.9mm thick, the Project 21 is ultra-slim yet never fragile. It feels dense, serious, and sophisticated on the wrist — a deliberate choice that runs counter to the often hollow sensation found in other thin watches.
The key to this substantial feel lies in the choice of an exotic, notoriously difficult material: tantalum.
Tantalum is one of the rarest and densest materials used in watchmaking. It is extremely hard, corrosion-resistant, and notoriously difficult to machine due to its unique properties.
Many brands avoid tantalum altogether because of the extraordinary challenges it presents in production. Not MING.
To bring this vision to life, MING turned to Joshua Shapiro of J.N. Shapiro Watches, one of the industry’s finest independent case makers and co-founder of the Alternative Horology Alliance.
Shapiro and his team executed the Project 21 case with an unmatched level of craftsmanship:
• Three distinct finishes on a single solid monobloc case: mirror-polished rehaut, finely brushed concave bezel, and sandblasted flanks flowing seamlessly into the caseback.
• Zero separate bezel, meaning higher rigidity and denser feel.
• Perfect curvature — every surface is curved in one or two axes, with just a single hard line separating the top and side planes.
Even the tiny 3.5mm crown carries multiple finishes and careful detailing. In a world where many brands outsource cases to large suppliers, this level of artisanal, in-house mastery is a rarity worth celebrating.
Josh Shapiro summed it up:
“Machining tantalum always presents challenges. Ming’s designs are always eloquent yet difficult. But we are extremely pleased with the result — a tantalum case like this has never been made before.”
A great case deserves a great movement. For Project 21, Thein chose one of horology’s most important ultra-thin calibers: the legendary Frederic Piguet Cal. 21.
First introduced in 1925, the Cal. 21 held the record for the world’s thinnest hand-wound movement for decades at an astonishing 1.75mm thickness. It has powered iconic watches from houses like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Blancpain, and others.
But MING didn’t merely transplant the vintage Cal. 21 into the Project 21 — they reimagined it.
In collaboration with TitAl SA and Mathis Horlogerie, MING completely reworked the movement:
• A new skeletonized titanium train bridge, color-matched to the dial, revealing the gear train architecture.
• Polished anglage on bridges.
• Fine sablage finishing across surfaces.
• Jewels set in chatons — a nod to traditional high-end finishing.
• Meticulously adjusted in five positions for chronometric stability.
Despite the movement’s minuscule size, it delivers a 38-hour power reserve and reliability expected of a contemporary luxury timepiece.
This transformation honors the Cal. 21’s heritage while pushing it into the modern era — a perfect metaphor for the Project 21 itself.
True to MING tradition, the dial of Project 21 isn’t simply a surface — it’s an architectural experience.
The dial is made of two intricate layers:
1. A Femtoprint fused borosilicate glass top layer with suspended voids forming a pattern of strakes.
2. A CVD-coated brass plate underneath, just 400 microns thick, precision-milled to echo the top layer’s patterns.
This creates a visual depth and vibrancy that plays with light and shadow beautifully, depending on the viewing angle.
Further unique touches include:
• Indices etched directly into the external sapphire crystal.
• No lume anywhere — one of the rare MING watches designed not to glow — emphasizing purity over legibility in darkness.
• Skeletonized minute hand with polished and angled flanks, floating effortlessly over the architectural display.
This level of innovation, particularly on a watch so thin, speaks volumes about MING’s refusal to compromise artistry even when faced with technical challenges.
On the wrist, Project 21 defies expectations.
At first glance, its 35mm diameter suggests a dainty, vintage feel. Yet, thanks to the clever case design and dial stretching to the very edges, it wears far closer to a 37–38mm modern piece.
The heft of the tantalum gives it a luxurious gravity absent from many ultra-thin watches. It feels present without being overbearing — a tangible reminder of the artisanal effort behind it.
The Jean Rousseau Paris leather strap and an additional custom strap option complement the watch perfectly, paired with a brushed titanium tuck buckle — lightweight yet strong.
With 50 meters of water resistance, Project 21 isn’t just a precious dress watch; it’s a durable daily companion — though its rarity will likely keep it reserved for special occasions.
When placed against the landscape of modern ultra-thin watches, the MING Project 21 shines uniquely.
Many ultra-thin pieces today, even from prestigious maisons, prioritize slimness at the expense of robustness or creativity. Project 21 refuses that trade-off.
Its dense tantalum case, the layered dial architecture, and the profound reworking of the Cal. 21 movement create a timepiece that is artistically daring yet mechanically reassuring.
It also stands apart because of its philosophical purity.
Project 21 was born from passion, not marketing. It wasn’t made to chase trends or broaden demographics. It is a singular vision, faithfully executed, and unapologetically personal.
This makes Project 21 more than a watch — it’s a statement about how horology can and should be practiced at the highest levels.
Following the initial ten omakase pieces, MING announced a public production of only 15 additional units of Project 21.
These 15 pieces feature:
• A 5N rose gold coated dial.
• Matching rose gold treated bridges in the movement.
This edition stays faithful to the original spirit while adding a warmer, more opulent tone — perfect for collectors who appreciate rare metals and meticulous finishing.
Each piece comes with a two-year warranty against defects and one complimentary service within the first five years — another sign of MING’s commitment to ensuring that these masterpieces are cherished for decades to come.
In Project 21, MING has achieved something truly extraordinary. They have taken a century-old movement, an almost unworkable material, and a design philosophy rooted in emotional authenticity — and created a watch that feels timeless yet pioneering.
It is a reminder that watchmaking, at its finest, is art married to engineering.
For the fortunate few who will wear Project 21, it represents not just a milestone in independent horology, but also a deeply personal connection to the spirit of creation itself.
In a world increasingly driven by hype and mass production, MING’s Project 21 stands proudly as a beacon of integrity, ingenuity, and independent spirit — a true future icon.
[photo credits: MING / www.ming.watch]
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Get the full review of MING Project 21: specs, tantalum case details, Cal. 21 movement upgrades, and why this 15-piece release is making collector history.
What would a MING watch look like if designed purely for yourself—without any commercial constraints or compromises?
Thus began the journey of Project 21, a timepiece that is more than just another addition to MING’s growing legacy — it is a personal statement, a technical triumph, and a new standard for what independent horology can aspire to when creativity is given absolute freedom.
The Genesis of Project 21: Trust and the Omakase Spirit
Unlike most watch projects that start with detailed renderings and prototypes, Project 21 began with nothing but an idea, a commitment, and a promise of something truly special.
At that pivotal dinner, Ming Thein proposed an omakase approach — much like a high-end Japanese chef’s menu where guests place their trust entirely in the chef’s hands. There would be no design previews, no confirmed specs, and no prototypes shown. Only a commitment to excellence, integrity, and creativity.
Despite the risks, ten bold collectors agreed, trusting Thein and the MING team to create something remarkable. Their faith enabled MING to bypass commercial pressures and build a watch purely around artistic and mechanical ideals, a rare opportunity in an industry increasingly dominated by marketing and hype.
The spirit of Project 21 was clear from the outset: Push boundaries. Embrace craftsmanship. Create without compromise.
A Design Language Refined: Small Yet Monumental
When given the freedom to design purely for himself, Thein chose to revisit one of watchmaking’s most enduring challenges: making a small watch feel monumental.
While the industry has trended toward larger cases, Thein selected a 35mm diameter — compact, elegant, and historically resonant. It’s a size that recalls the golden era of mid-century watch design but updated for modern sensibilities through clever engineering.
The case features an almost invisible bezel, pushing the dial outward to maximize visual size. Every line, every curve is considered. The proportions are fine-tuned to deliver wrist presence far greater than the measurements suggest, aided by minimalist markers and an open, airy design.
At 6.9mm thick, the Project 21 is ultra-slim yet never fragile. It feels dense, serious, and sophisticated on the wrist — a deliberate choice that runs counter to the often hollow sensation found in other thin watches.
The key to this substantial feel lies in the choice of an exotic, notoriously difficult material: tantalum.
Mastering Tantalum: J.N. Shapiro’s Machining Masterpiece
Tantalum is one of the rarest and densest materials used in watchmaking. It is extremely hard, corrosion-resistant, and notoriously difficult to machine due to its unique properties.
Many brands avoid tantalum altogether because of the extraordinary challenges it presents in production. Not MING.
To bring this vision to life, MING turned to Joshua Shapiro of J.N. Shapiro Watches, one of the industry’s finest independent case makers and co-founder of the Alternative Horology Alliance.
Shapiro and his team executed the Project 21 case with an unmatched level of craftsmanship:
• Three distinct finishes on a single solid monobloc case: mirror-polished rehaut, finely brushed concave bezel, and sandblasted flanks flowing seamlessly into the caseback.
• Zero separate bezel, meaning higher rigidity and denser feel.
• Perfect curvature — every surface is curved in one or two axes, with just a single hard line separating the top and side planes.
Even the tiny 3.5mm crown carries multiple finishes and careful detailing. In a world where many brands outsource cases to large suppliers, this level of artisanal, in-house mastery is a rarity worth celebrating.
Josh Shapiro summed it up:
“Machining tantalum always presents challenges. Ming’s designs are always eloquent yet difficult. But we are extremely pleased with the result — a tantalum case like this has never been made before.”
A Horological Heart: Frederic Piguet Caliber 21 Reimagined
A great case deserves a great movement. For Project 21, Thein chose one of horology’s most important ultra-thin calibers: the legendary Frederic Piguet Cal. 21.
First introduced in 1925, the Cal. 21 held the record for the world’s thinnest hand-wound movement for decades at an astonishing 1.75mm thickness. It has powered iconic watches from houses like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, Blancpain, and others.
But MING didn’t merely transplant the vintage Cal. 21 into the Project 21 — they reimagined it.
• A new skeletonized titanium train bridge, color-matched to the dial, revealing the gear train architecture.
• Polished anglage on bridges.
• Fine sablage finishing across surfaces.
• Jewels set in chatons — a nod to traditional high-end finishing.
• Meticulously adjusted in five positions for chronometric stability.
Despite the movement’s minuscule size, it delivers a 38-hour power reserve and reliability expected of a contemporary luxury timepiece.
This transformation honors the Cal. 21’s heritage while pushing it into the modern era — a perfect metaphor for the Project 21 itself.
Dial of Dreams: A Two-Layer Technical Marvel
True to MING tradition, the dial of Project 21 isn’t simply a surface — it’s an architectural experience.
The dial is made of two intricate layers:
1. A Femtoprint fused borosilicate glass top layer with suspended voids forming a pattern of strakes.
2. A CVD-coated brass plate underneath, just 400 microns thick, precision-milled to echo the top layer’s patterns.
This creates a visual depth and vibrancy that plays with light and shadow beautifully, depending on the viewing angle.
• Indices etched directly into the external sapphire crystal.
• No lume anywhere — one of the rare MING watches designed not to glow — emphasizing purity over legibility in darkness.
• Skeletonized minute hand with polished and angled flanks, floating effortlessly over the architectural display.
This level of innovation, particularly on a watch so thin, speaks volumes about MING’s refusal to compromise artistry even when faced with technical challenges.
Wearing the Project 21: Heft, Elegance, Emotion
On the wrist, Project 21 defies expectations.
At first glance, its 35mm diameter suggests a dainty, vintage feel. Yet, thanks to the clever case design and dial stretching to the very edges, it wears far closer to a 37–38mm modern piece.
The heft of the tantalum gives it a luxurious gravity absent from many ultra-thin watches. It feels present without being overbearing — a tangible reminder of the artisanal effort behind it.
The Jean Rousseau Paris leather strap and an additional custom strap option complement the watch perfectly, paired with a brushed titanium tuck buckle — lightweight yet strong.
With 50 meters of water resistance, Project 21 isn’t just a precious dress watch; it’s a durable daily companion — though its rarity will likely keep it reserved for special occasions.
A New Standard: How Project 21 Stands Apart
When placed against the landscape of modern ultra-thin watches, the MING Project 21 shines uniquely.
Many ultra-thin pieces today, even from prestigious maisons, prioritize slimness at the expense of robustness or creativity. Project 21 refuses that trade-off.
Its dense tantalum case, the layered dial architecture, and the profound reworking of the Cal. 21 movement create a timepiece that is artistically daring yet mechanically reassuring.
It also stands apart because of its philosophical purity.
Project 21 was born from passion, not marketing. It wasn’t made to chase trends or broaden demographics. It is a singular vision, faithfully executed, and unapologetically personal.
This makes Project 21 more than a watch — it’s a statement about how horology can and should be practiced at the highest levels.
For the Few: Exclusivity Done Right
Following the initial ten omakase pieces, MING announced a public production of only 15 additional units of Project 21.
These 15 pieces feature:
• A 5N rose gold coated dial.
• Matching rose gold treated bridges in the movement.
This edition stays faithful to the original spirit while adding a warmer, more opulent tone — perfect for collectors who appreciate rare metals and meticulous finishing.
Each piece comes with a two-year warranty against defects and one complimentary service within the first five years — another sign of MING’s commitment to ensuring that these masterpieces are cherished for decades to come.
Conclusion: Why Project 21 Is a Future Icon
In Project 21, MING has achieved something truly extraordinary. They have taken a century-old movement, an almost unworkable material, and a design philosophy rooted in emotional authenticity — and created a watch that feels timeless yet pioneering.
It is a reminder that watchmaking, at its finest, is art married to engineering.
For the fortunate few who will wear Project 21, it represents not just a milestone in independent horology, but also a deeply personal connection to the spirit of creation itself.
In a world increasingly driven by hype and mass production, MING’s Project 21 stands proudly as a beacon of integrity, ingenuity, and independent spirit — a true future icon.
[photo credits: MING / www.ming.watch]
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