I've Never Seen a Watch Combine These Features Before

The movement is beyond impressive and is literally one of the finest calibers in the world. I will not soon forget the joy I felt every time I watched the chronograph minute hand instantaneously jump or when the crown slammed on the brakes once the mainspring was fully wound.

The strap was extremely comfortable, even in the height of summer. I found the Alcantara to be buttery soft and completely free of any irritation I might feel from a leather-only or rubber strap. I also love MING’s keeper-free buckle system and believe every brand should employ something similar. It just looks and feels so much better than having the tip of a strap flopping around on the far side of my wrist.

The dial is just as thrilling in bright light as it is in total darkness.

Photo by Johnny Brayson for Gear Patrol

Then, of course, there’s the dial. This is easily the most impressive dial I’ve ever seen on a watch and will be tough for MING — or any brand — to top. 600 laser-fused lume-filled cavities? What? It’s an absurd concept that’s even more absurd on the wrist, but it sure was fun as hell to stare at; especially after coming in from the outdoors and receiving a blast of lume-activating sunlight.

I have just two gripes with the watch. First is the readability. The watch is quite difficult to read, as the minute scale is printed in white lume on the underside of the crystal. In daylight, the scale is hard to make out because the voids of the dial underneath are the same color. Lumed up, it’s even worse, as the voids glow far, far brighter than the printing on the crystal. The easiest way to read the watch is at a slight angle, which feels a bit odd.