MING 17.09 Burgundy

Entry-level watch? Sorta.  The 17-series is indeed Malaysian boutique watchmaker Ming’s entry-level product, but that doesn’t mean it isn’t wildly value-packed — and wickedly cool. The 17.09 Burgundy, in particular, was Ming’s first 17-series watch to house one of its most notable design features: Namely, laser-etched, lume-filled indices on the underside of the sapphire crystal in place of convention indices on the dial. The effect is striking, unique, and serves as further proof of company co-founder Ming Thein’s industrial design chops. This particular 17.09 Burgundy features a 38mm stainless steel case, a polished steel bezel, a signed crown, a sapphire crystal with luminous minute track and indices on the underside, a stepped, textured burgundy dial, and a luminous, skeletonized handset. Powered by the automatic Sellita SW330 movement, it’s fitted to a double-signed Ming & Jean Rousseau grained taupe strap with a Ming-signed steel pin buckle. In outstanding condition and shipping with much of its ephemera, this is a steal from the land of boutique watchmaking. Don’t sleep on this one!