Tag: GMT

Ming has introduced the 57.05 “Comet”, a new limited-edition world timer that combines the independent brand’s highly distinctive design language with a practical solution to one of the more frustrating aspects of travelling across time zones: daylight saving time.

Limited to just 200 pieces, the 57.05 “Comet” brings together a complex world-time display, an innovative adjustable bezel system, an extensively luminescent display and the brand’s visually elaborate dial construction. At its core is a heavily modified Sellita-based automatic movement developed specifically for Ming.

A Distinctive 57 Series Case

The 57.05 “Comet” uses a 316L stainless steel case measuring 40 mm in diameter and just 10.30 mm thick. Its 47.80 mm lug-to-lug measurement keeps the overall proportions relatively compact despite the complexity of the watch.

As expected from the 57 Series, the case incorporates Ming’s distinctive triple-stepped lugs. Rather than being a simple visual detail, the construction is technically elaborate, requiring nine individual components to create the finished lug assembly.

The predominantly brushed surfaces give the stainless steel a restrained, almost grey appearance, contrasting with the more intricate elements of the dial and sapphire components.

A world-time bezel surrounds the dial and forms the basis of the watch’s most unusual functional feature.

A World Timer Designed Around Daylight Saving Time

Traditional world-time watches generally assume that cities remain permanently aligned with their respective time zones. In reality, daylight saving time means that the relationship between different cities can change during the year.

Ming addresses this with a patent-pending system that separates cities observing daylight saving time from those that do not.

Cities affected by DST are positioned on the outer portion of the bezel, while non-DST locations occupy the inner section. Rotating the outer bezel by one click—15 degrees—moves the DST cities forward by one hour while leaving the non-DST cities unchanged.

This provides a straightforward way of adapting the world-time display when daylight saving time comes into effect.

Ming has also incorporated a dedicated indication window between approximately eight and nine o’clock. The aperture uses red markings together with lume to indicate whether the DST adjustment is currently engaged, making the bezel’s setting easier to identify at a glance.

The system does not eliminate every possible discrepancy between regions, since different countries can have different dates for changing to or from daylight saving time. Nevertheless, it provides a mechanical solution to a problem that conventional world timers generally leave to the wearer.

A Complex Dial with a Changing “Comet Tail”

The dial is arguably the most visually elaborate element of the 57.05.

Ming calls its surface treatment the “Comet Tail” interference pattern. It is created from overlapping rasters of repeating openings that interact with one another across the dial surface.

The resulting pattern is designed to change visually depending on the time of day, creating different textures and levels of depth as the underlying indications move.

The aesthetic draws on the layered, geometric approach that has become characteristic of Ming, while introducing a more dynamic appearance than a conventional textured or guilloché dial.

The sapphire crystal also plays an active role in the display. A floating engraved 12-hour index ring is integrated into the crystal and filled with Ming’s proprietary Polar White lume, creating an additional luminous layer above the dial.

Lume as Part of the Display Architecture

Luminescence is not simply used for basic legibility on the 57.05 “Comet”; it forms an important part of the watch’s visual identity.

The GMT indication is provided by a disc rather than a conventional fourth hand. The disc is divided into contrasting blue shades representing daytime and nighttime.

Its 12-hour numerals use Super-LumiNova X1 with different emission colours: blue for nighttime indications and orange for daytime indications. The hands themselves also receive blue-emission lume.

Combined with the luminous sapphire index ring and DST indicator, the result is a layered display that changes considerably when viewed in darkness.

This approach is particularly appropriate for a world timer, where distinguishing between local time, home or reference time and day/night information is essential.

Sellita-Based Automatic Movement

Powering the 57.05 “Comet” is the Sellita for Ming 330.M2, an extensively aesthetically modified version of the Sellita SW330 automatic GMT calibre.

Rather than relying on a traditional GMT hand, the movement drives the dedicated GMT disc used by the watch’s display architecture.

The movement operates at 4Hz, or 28,800 vibrations per hour, and provides approximately 50 hours of power reserve.

As with previous Ming creations, the calibre is less about presenting an off-the-shelf movement in its standard configuration and more about adapting the mechanism to accommodate the brand’s own display and aesthetic requirements.

Sapphire, Steel and Polymesh Options

The 57.05 “Comet” is offered with two strap configurations.

The standard version comes fitted to a Jean Rousseau leather strap, while an alternative configuration pairs the watch with Ming’s distinctive Polymesh bracelet.

The bracelet version is particularly well suited to the watch’s technical character, complementing the brushed stainless steel case and futuristic dial architecture.

Limited to 200 Pieces

Ming will produce only 200 examples of the 57.05 “Comet”.

The watch will be available from August 27, 2026, at 1:00 PM GMT. It is priced at CHF 6,950 with the Jean Rousseau leather strap, while the version fitted with the Ming Polymesh bracelet is CHF 7,950.

Read more here.

General Specifications:

Brand: Ming

Model: 57.05 Comet

Dial: Multilayered blue “Comet Tail”

Lume: Super-LumiNova X1

Case Material: 316L Stainless steel

Case Dimensions: 40 mm Diameter, 10.33 mm thick, 47.80 mm lug-to-lug

Crystal: Sapphire glass

Case Back: Sapphire glass

Water Resistance: 100 Meters

Strap: Cobalt blue goat leather strap by Jean Rousseau Paris, Ming titanium Polymesh bracelet

Calibre: Sellita 330.M2 for Ming

Functions: Hours, minutes, gmt

Winding: Automatic

Frequency: 4 Hz (28,800 Vph)

Jewels: 25

Power Reserve: 50 Hours

Price: CHF 6,950 (on leather strap). CHF 7,950 (on Polymesh bracelet)

Availability: August 27, 2026

Limited Edition: Yes, 200 pieces