The Dive Watches of Ming – The Watches of Podcast – Episode 62

On this episode, we share something a little different by sharing an installment from The Watches of Podcast, a new series where we step away from industry-wide analysis and focus deeply on individual brands—their history, philosophy, people, and, importantly, their watches. Each episode is designed as a focused, evergreen exploration of a single brand, and here we use that format to zero in on Ming’s dive watches, a category that has quietly become one of the most revealing expressions of the brand’s identity. We trace how Ming approached the dive watch not as a traditional tool-first object, but as a sculptural, design-led problem to solve. From early experimental concepts to fully realized production models, we talk about how the brand steadily moved away from simply “doing a dive watch” and toward creating dive watches that could only exist as Ming designs. The discussion centers on proportion, restraint, and engineering choices that prioritize wearability and originality without abandoning the functional expectations of the genre. Finally, we focus on the modern era of Ming dive watches, where everything clicks into place: compact dimensions, inventive use of sapphire and rotating dials, thoughtful movement customization, and distinct aesthetic identities across models like the Bluefin and the Uni. We reflect on why these watches resonate so strongly with collectors, why they earned serious recognition within the industry, and why their final re-release feels like the close of a meaningful chapter—one that shows how Ming redefined what a contemporary dive watch can be. We’ll be back next week with a new episode of Openwork. In the meantime, enjoy The Dive Watches of Ming. We hope you like it as much as we enjoyed making it. You can find us online at collectivehorology.com. To get in touch with suggestions, feedback or questions, email [email protected].