The dive watch blueprint hasn’t changed much since the 1950s. External bezel. Bold markers. Heavy, purposeful bulk. It’s a formula that works—so well, in fact, that the category has started to look like a hall of mirrors.
And that’s exactly why independent watchmaking matters.
The MING 37.09 Diver “Uni” doesn’t try to out-Submariner the Submariner. It does something more interesting: it asks what a modern dive watch can look and feel like when you stop copying history—and start designing with intention.
From the 18.01 Abyss to the 37.09 Platform
MING’s underwater story didn’t begin with the Uni. It began with the 18.01 Abyss—a statement that the brand’s clean, sculptural design language could still survive true depth.
Ming 18.01 Abyss Concept (Source : Ming Watch)
The 37.09 series marks the next chapter: a slimmer, more refined silhouette, anchored by an internal rotating bezel (compressor-style) that cleans up the profile without losing dive utility. The “Uni” is built on that Bluefin platform, but it isn’t just a new colorway—it’s a concept watch with a clear visual idea.
Inspired by uni (sea urchin) in Japanese cuisine, the contrast is the whole point:
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Matte black DLC case as the “shell”
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Vivid yellow/orange accents as the “delicacy within”
It sounds poetic—and then you put it on the wrist, and it actually reads that way.
The Trick: 600m Capability Without the Usual Bulk
On paper, the specs are serious:
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38mm diameter
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12.8mm thick
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600m water resistance
- Automatic Sellita Calibre - 50 hour power reserve
In practice, that thickness is what shocks you. Most watches engineered for this kind of depth tend to wear like hardware (think: big and thick). The Uni doesn’t. It wears more like a compact, modern object—tight, controlled, and almost architectural.
This is where MING’s philosophy shows up: instead of using mass to communicate capability, they use precision and structure. It’s a diver built with restraint.
A Dial Built Like a Light Installation
The dial is where the Uni stops being “just” a dive watch and starts becoming a MING. Using layered sapphire elements, the markers and tracks feel like they’re floating in space above the base. It creates depth without clutter—especially as light moves across the surfaces.
And in the dark, it’s not just “bright.” It’s cinematic. The Super-LumiNova across the layers produces that neon, almost Tron-like effect—except it still feels refined rather than playful.
Compressor Utility Done Properly
Functionally, it stays honest:
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Dual crowns
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One for time-setting
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One for the internal rotating bezel
A simple safety cue we love: the red warning ring when the crown isn’t fully secured—fast, clear, and impossible to miss. It’s a professional solution, delivered in a very non-professional-looking package. That contrast is the Uni’s signature.
A Real Alternative to “Submariner Homogenization”
The Uni is important because it proves something a lot of collectors feel but don’t always articulate: A “tool watch” doesn’t have to look like heavy machinery to be serious.
In a category dominated by familiar silhouettes and historical gravity, MING offers a different kind of credibility—one built on design clarity, modern proportion, and a dial architecture that no legacy brand would risk putting into a true diver.
If you’re the kind of collector who values identity over conformity, the 37.09 Uni doesn’t compete with the Submariner. It opts out.
If you're bored of vintage divers, and you want a modern dive watch that feels like it's design-led, this should be on your shortlist.
Explore our collection of Ming watches or make an appointment to view our collection in-store.
For a full hands-on experience and a visual breakdown of everything discussed here, watch our in-depth review here :
