MING 18.01 H41

This is the new 18.01 H41 (yeah, I know wtf but bear with me while I attempt to decode all the design language gobbledygook, as I’m sure we’ll discover that it’s actually a pretty cool dive watch).

The 18.01 H41 is based on MING’s debut limited series concept diver from 2018, the ABYSS; only with improved engineering mechanics as well as an updated design by way of MING’s “Design Language 2”, debuted earlier this year on their 27.01 Ultra Thin watch.



The 18.01 H41 is say MING; “a maximal, robust piece that demonstrates the versatility of their design language”. Capiche!

It has a 40mm in diameter by 12.9mm thick Grade 5 Titanium case with 1km AKA 1000 meters of water-resistance. It weighs just 65grams.



I partly agree with MING’s statement; “for a dive watch with this depth rating, it is amongst the (if not the) thinnest”.

That it is . . . however the H2O Watch Kalmar SLIM is sub 12mm and with 3000m of water-resistance, so is 1mm slimmer but with 3x the water-resistance. Btw that is powered by an ETA 2824-2.



Getting back to the 18.01 H41, this is said to be slightly thinner than MING’s Abyss Concept, thanks to the use of Ti G5 as well as its bezel construction.

It retains the same functional and security features of the Abyss Concept: a unidirectional rotating bezel with 60 clicks that can be turned easily.



It is equipped with multiple sets of gaskets and seals plus a red indicator to warn the wearer that the crown is unscrewed.

Meanwhile the case-back boasts a high-friction surface allowing for increased grip against a neoprene wetsuit thus preventing the watch from moving around.



Dive-time is instantly and easily legible, thanks to a rotational diver’s bezel with a luminous 15min dive-time-scale, designed so that the lume becomes less prominent as dive-time is counted down.

MING say that they opted for a DLC coated solid steel bezel “so as to eliminate the risk of losing an insert due to pressure changes (not sure that would happen) or impact (this could), and also to maximize contrast for the diving scale”.



As you can see from the eye-scorching lume-shot, a significant amount of luminous material has been applied to ensure visibility under all light conditions: All white elements are loaded with Super-LumiNova X1.



This has been applied as a liquid epoxy to the bezel, a solid block in the hands, and as HyCeram – a sapphire-fused luminous ceramic - on the dial ring.

Powering the watch is a Swiss ETA 2824-2 in Top Grade form. This has been modified to remove the calendar and intermediate hand setting positions.



Finally KL, Malaysia, based MING has partnered with: La Division du Temps, a subsidiary of Manufacture Schwarz-Etienne for production, assembly and testing.

DM Surfaces for the HyCeram on the dial, Jean Rousseau for their waterproof rubber straps and Studio Koji Sato for the new leather travel pouches.

MSRP is 3’250CHF.



Thoughts? I told you that it was a pretty cool dive watch, although I needed a hit of Tylenol after going through the PR.

The spec. which includes: Ti G5, DLC, 1000M, SLN X1 and a 2824 Top Grade are all indicative of a quality diver. MING did their homework on the diver’s features, too.

I would go on to say that this is a diver for MING fans or anyone wanting something a little different. I would have called it the MING Abyss 2, though. What do you think?