Unexpected Provenance

Ming, a Malaysian brand, is making waves in the watch world with a Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève win.

- Wei-Yu Wang

“We’re A New brand that comes from the wrong part of the world,” said Ming Thein while accepting an award at the 2019 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). The ‘wrong part of the world’ is Malaysia, where his watch brand, Ming, is based – a country far away and isolated from the traditional European centres of watch manufacturing.

But Ming has made an impact. The brand is only about two-and-a-half years old and has already attracted a small but dedicated fan base largely composed of discerning, experienced collectors. The winning watch was Ming 17.06 Copper, a simple but striking two-hander clearly inspired by classic principles yet with a daring design that allows it to stand out. Its first production run of 300 pieces sold out within a day. It won the Horological Revelation prize, which is awarded to brands that are less than 10 years old.

For a tiny, young Malaysian brand to win one of the watch industry’s most prestigious awards requires a particular set of circumstances. It starts with Thein. Born in Malaysia, he has an intriguing resume that includes graduating from Oxford University at 16 with a physics degree, several stints in finance-related roles, an internationally regarded career as a commercial photographer, and, most recently, watch designer.