The Abyss Concept is a very small batch of experimental watches produced as a result of challenging ourselves to design a functional dive watch that didn't draw on existing design expectations. We initially made three dial variants, with the team falling for one that was an evolution of our design language (symmetry, geometry, arcs) but also, admittedly, a tangential offshoot of our planned future direction. However, with prototype cases on hand and a design we were too in love with to abandon, the Abyss Concept was born.

There are only ten watches in total, with bookmatched cases for maximum water resistance. We do not know the maximum depth resistance of the case as all have exceeded the 1,250m (4,100ft, 125 ATM) limit of the testing machine without leakage or helium issues.

With a case that is 40mm in diameter but under 14mm thick, the Abyss Concept has the visual presence and physical heft expected of a dive watch while maintaining a high degree of wearability. The short lugs have holes for both curved and straight straps to maximise versatility. Finally, we added a crown locking indicator to warn the wearer if the crown is not securely screwed down.

The Abyss Concept is equipped with a unique polished rotating bezel as tests showed this to be the optimal surface finish for gripping fine objects with wet hands (and avoiding marring the design). The bezel uses a ceramic inlay filled with Super-LumiNova X1, and a marker design that prioritizes accuracy to the minute for the first fifteen minutes and five minute divisions for the remaining quarters. It rotates unidirectionally with 60 clicks and tension is carefully calibrated to allow easy and deliberate operation underwater.

The dial is a unique blend of the 19-series and 17-series, with a composite sapphire construction and large amounts of Super-LumiNova X1 for low light visibility. With a solid caseback, aesthetic considerations for the movement were secondary and we chose the ETA 2824-2 for robustness and long-term serviceability. The movement has been modified to remove the second crown position and has been regulated in five positions through our 250h test program by La Division du Temps (a sister company of Manufacture Schwarz Etienne).

The Abyss Concept will remain a unique part of the MING story for several reasons – it is the first experimental prototype series we have offered to the public; it is our first watch in steel and with running seconds; it is an experiment in translating our design language to frequently requested larger sizes; and it remains undecided if we will ever have a series production dive watch.