Massena Lab | Ming

The MING X Massena LAB 17.09 “Honeytrap” is a remarkable collaboration, merging Ming’s design expertise with William Massena’s extensive appreciation of vintage watch design. MING is named after one of its founders, Ming Thein, who is not only a physicist by training but also a world-renowned photographer and avid watch collector. Massena LAB, founded by industry veteran William Massena in 2018, serves as a creative hub for developing unique watches in collaboration with independent watchmakers.

The 17.09 is among the last pieces from Ming’s 17 series, which was introduced in 2017 as the brand’s foundational watch. This series set the design tone for future models with its distinctive short flared lugs and stylized numerals on the crystal.

In this model, the numerals are laser-etched on the reverse side of the sapphire crystal and filled with Super-LumiNova, adding incredible visual depth to the dial. Massena contributed a beautifully textured dial for this final edition, inspired by early Rolex honeycomb dials. Unlike those loosely resembling a honeycomb, the 17.09 MING X Massena LAB features a true three-dimensional hexagonal pattern. The movement inside is the Schwarz-Etienne 300.M1, a modified version of the Sellita SW330-2, which includes an independently set hour hand—an useful feature for frequent travelers.

Released in 2021, the 17.09 MING and Massena LAB came with a stainless steel case and either a black or honey-colored dial, limited to 200 pieces.

The “Honeytrap” is an ultra-rare variant with a black DLC-coated case. Never officially announced or offered to the public, it was reserved for Massena’s top clients. Only 30 pieces were made—20 with a black dial and just 10, like the present model, with a honey-colored dial.