First Look MING Unveils the 57.04 Phoenix Monopusher Chronograph

Last year, MING celebrated its eighth anniversary with the unveiling of a striking limited edition, the 57.04 Iris. Instantly captivating, the watch stood out for its vivid, color-shifting dial and its distinctive single-pusher chronograph configuration, featuring a winding crown positioned at 9 o’clock.

Now, MING’s monopusher chronograph returns, this time as a permanent member of the brand’s core collection. The 57.04 Phoenix builds upon the platform introduced by the Iris as part of MING’s fifth-generation design language. Where the Iris was exuberant and expressive, the Phoenix adopts a more restrained and architectural approach: largely monochromatic, deeply sculptural, and rich in texture. Like its predecessor, it remains a monopusher chronograph with a left-mounted crown, but its personality is markedly different.

The result is a watch built around what MING describes as a “tonal structure.” A predominantly grey palette maintains strong three-dimensionality and graphic presence, while subtle flashes of color emerge from beneath the dial. It is controlled and composed — yet far from understated.

The 57.04 measures 40mm in diameter with a 47.8mm lug-to-lug length and a thickness of 11.85mm. Crafted from 316L stainless steel, the case is composed of nine separate components. Its architecture is a sculptural interpretation of Art Deco-inspired geometry, featuring multi-piece stepped lugs that allow alternating brushed and polished finishes across adjacent planes. Despite its complexity, the final design remains entirely faithful to MING’s established aesthetic language.

The oversized crown is engineered for a tactile and satisfying winding experience, with the chronograph pusher discreetly integrated within it. Despite the intricate case construction and the crown-pusher layout, the watch maintains a practical 100 meters of water resistance.

The Phoenix’s upper dial presents a deeply dished metallic grey surface punctuated by radial cut-outs that reveal the baseplate beneath. This baseplate carries the same multiphasic, color-shifting coating first introduced on the Iris, allowing unexpected hues to surface depending on light and viewing angle. The effect is layered and immersive.

The subdial has been redesigned to enhance this sense of dimensionality, reinforcing the impression of negative relief and curved sculpting. As expected from MING, the dial plays masterfully with light. Both MING Polar White and Super-LumiNova X1 are generously applied across the dial and hands, continuing the brand’s commitment to strong nighttime legibility and a cohesive luminous experience.

The true highlight, however, lies in the dial’s elusive chromatic character. Difficult to define precisely, it transitions fluidly depending on angle and illumination — revealing shades of purple and pink, blue and green, as well as more neutral grey tones. It is dynamic without being flamboyant, subtle yet constantly evolving.

At its core beats the hand-wound calibre SW562.M1, developed in collaboration with Sellita. This monopusher chronograph movement operates entirely via the integrated crown-pusher. It runs at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz) and delivers a 60-hour power reserve from a single barrel. The movement features a rhodium-plated mainplate contrasted by an anthracite three-quarter plate, while the gears, balance wheel, and chatons are finished in gold tones for visual contrast.

The 57.04 Phoenix is paired with MING’s 20mm FKM rubber strap in a new grey colorway, the version tested here. The strap is notably comfortable and reinforces the watch’s contemporary, monochromatic character. It is secured with a stainless steel pin buckle.

Unlike the previous 57.04 release, the Phoenix is not a limited edition and will remain part of the permanent collection. It is priced at CHF 6,250, equivalent to approximately AED 29,260 (excluding taxes).

For more information visit Ming’s official website.