The MING 37.09 Uni Reframes the Dive Watch
Review: MING 37.09 Uni Dive Watch
By Blake Buettner
The popularity of dive watches in 2026 is a peculiar thing. When the genre began to take shape in the early 1950s, a burgeoning recreation diving scene served as the guiding light influencing both form and function. The bits that worked were codified between generations, eventually coalescing into one of the strongest foundations of the broader watch landscape today. But something funny happened along the way; as the necessity of the dive watch as a tool waned into the 1990s, the genre itself took on new meaning, and found relevance in other ways. Today, the vast majority of dive watches never see water deeper than a meter or two, yet their popularity remains strong, as does their influence on the industry as a whole.
These days, divers that happen to be watch enthusiasts are the only cohort putting these things to use in their natural environment, and even then it's more of a symbolic gesture than a gear requirement. It just so happens that many of the qualities that make a good dive watch, also make for a good every day tool watch. They are easy to read at a glance, not overly complicated, and can generally hold up to a good amount of abuse. Because of this, the dive watch has thrived in an era long past its original intention, and that well-defined DNA born in the '50s has flourished into a surprisingly diverse landscape of expressive executions.
While there are generally no binding set of features that make a dive watch a dive watch, well, beyond some level of water resistance, there are common tropes that remain in place generation after generation. Those are largely centered around things like a rotating bezel, high contrast dials with large hour markers and hands, and a healthy amount of lume. But, without the underwater responsibilities that were once present, the dive watch is no longer bound to these features exclusively. Enter MING.
Context
In 2019, MING revealed the 18.01 Abyss Concept from its Special Projects Cave, and offered its first interpretation of a dive watch. Just 10 pieces were created, and this would end up setting the tone for its first commercial diver, the 18.01 H41 which boasted a 40mm titanium case that measures just under 13mm thick and could withstand an impressive 1,000 meters of depth. While the Abyss Concept has many of the MING hallmarks we recognize today, both of these watches took a somewhat classic approach, using external bezels, thick hands, and well defined chapter rings.
As recognizable as these watches were as 'dive watches' they still managed to carve out their own unique groundwork. The markings on the dial and bezel derive from single forms or nearly single forms, with no prominent hour markings creating the kind of contrast we'd typically see in a deep diver, but the effect was there regardless. The 18.01 represented an exploration of well-trodden themes and helped MING to establish some of the limits of its growing foundation in the years following its founding. However, it represents concepts that MING has yet to return to.
In 2024, MING returned to the dive watch with a new reference 37.09 'Bluefin' and with this, a very different framework was put forth using the 37 series as a foundation. The 37.09 ditched the external bezel in favor of a compressor-style case with an internal rotating index. The thick hands were replaced with longer, thin units, and the nature of the dial construction itself became a focal point. The Bluefin was still a very capable 600 meter diver, but it represented a real departure from the established design tropes of the genre. The satin titanium has given way to polished steel with smaller dimensions that prioritize ergonomics. The layers of sapphire that comprise the dial create a dynamic view inward, making it a modern MING watch that also happens to be capable of diving. Contrary to other trends taking hold of the industry at this time, there are no overt callbacks to classic dive watch design here.
Things move quickly at MING, and in early 2025, it released a second variation of the 37.09 called the 'Uni'. Rather than a color change, the Uni is a complimentary departure from the Bluefin, using a black DLC steel case with orange accents, and a unique chapter ring design etched into the underside of the crystal. These watches may share a reference number, but they sit at two different ends of what the design is capable of.
37.09 Uni
The Uni takes inspiration from its namesake, the humble sea urchin, with a largely black appearance. The steel case measures 38mm in diameter, 12.8mm in thickness, and a short 44.5mm from lug to lug, leading to an exceptionally ergonomic design. The case retains a 600 meter depth rating, making the sub 13mm thickness all the more impressive. Despite the dual crowns this is not a literal compressor case, but the subtle curvature of the crystal over the dial and over the exhibition back lends to the impervious quality.
In stature and in use, the Uni wears like an old-school skin diver, which is a very good thing. It also happens to have a serious depth rating, but that just feels like a byproduct of the design itself rather than a forthright goal of the watch. If I'm being perfectly honest, there's really not much here that reads as a dive watch. The dual crowns and a closer inspection of the internal 'bezel' are the only tell, and those aren't exactly exclusive to the genre. The depth rating is not proudly displayed on the dial as you'd typically find, and there's a certain delicacy with which many of the details are designed that places this watch into its own category.
As with many MING references, this is a watch with layers. The dial is dynamic, and has real depth, both of these features play a large role in how you experience reading the time. The top crystal gets the hour ring etched into its underside, which is then filled with lume. The bottom crystal, which is the base layer of the dial, is what rotates with the crown at four o'clock, acting as the internal bezel. Between the two sit the hands, which once again are long and thin. Dive watches generally have a long minute hand tracking against a minute index on both the dial and the bezel, as this is the most relevant unit of measurement when diving. They are usually accompanied by a small hour hand, sometimes presented in a different color, so that the two hands are quick and easy to differentiate.
With the Uni, the hour hand is also quite long, and the two hands are not at all easy to differentiate at a glance. As far as dive watches as a tool are concerned, this is a serious compromise. However, as a design decision made with a certain aesthetic in mind, it lends to the overall sleek personality of the watch. Still, even in non-diving conditions it's a slightly tricky set of hands to navigate quickly. There is a small black cavity at the base of the minute hand, which is helpful, and it's worth noting that, because of the layers of the dial, there is a parallax effect that can happen at an angle.
This brings us to the hour track on the top crystal. I love the design of this track, which is unique to the Uni. There's a fluidity to it that feels organic in a way I haven't seen on a MING prior, but it's not overt in nature. The ridges in the track represent each hour or five-minute segment, and their joints are not quite 90 degrees. Because of this, it's difficult to pin the time down to the exact minute when setting, but in day-to-day use the imprecision of this design choice is negligible. It does take a little getting used to, however, especially if you're accustomed to more conventional dive watches.
The base dial, aka the bezel, is another trick bit of design that pulls you in for a closer look. It is broken into three sections, with the first 20 minutes rendered in orange, the second in a white outline, and the third in light grey outline. Taken together, they are a fully indexed bezel. This base dial can be rotated counterclockwise with the crown located at four o'clock with firm, satisfying clicks. The only downside is that, if you're the type that likes to use your bezel on the fly to keep track of things, it's a little trickier to access than simply grabbing a bezel and turning. This is especially the case if, like me, you wear the watch on your right wrist.
Speaking of on the wrist, the Uni uses a molded FKM rubber strap that is quite comfortable as far as these things go. It's soft and supple, but supportive enough when used with the 'flying blade' tuck buckle. With this, you set the pin slightly loose so the excess can be tucked under between the strap and the wrist. The strap is set right up against the curvature of the case with a rounded inset spring bar, so using a third-party NATO will be tough (but not impossible), as it's a very short lug.
Inside, MING is using the Sellita-made MING SW300.M1 automatic movement that's been modified with a blackened rotor and bridges. I typically don't care for exhibition casebacks on dive watches, but this view suits the theme of the total package rather well.
It's easy to get bogged down in some odd design choices with watches like this, but it's important that you're able to step back and assess the watch as a whole. In the case of the Uni, we find a watch that is more than the sum of its parts. The net effect of all these decisions is a pretty spectacular experience on the wrist. The flared lugs, the lack of markings, the hands… each of these may feel out of place in the context of any other dive watch, but here they all manage to work in service to the greater vision being achieved.
Conclusions
Full disclosure here, I love classic dive watches. I own many, and actively use them, and yes, that includes diving in them (something I intend to do with the Uni very soon, so stay tuned). The MING 37.09 Uni has challenged how I view dive watches, and forced me to confront what it is that I find so compelling about them. That's because I like the Uni quite a bit. The design is unique but approachable, the ergonomics are excellent, and the fit and finish is top notch. But it's clearly lacking many of the features I look for in a dive watch.
It'd be easy to say that the Uni is a great watch, but not necessarily a good dive watch because of this, but I don't think that's the case. When boiled down to the things that matter in a great everyday diver, the Uni delivers, albeit in a slightly unconventional way. This is a watch that reframes the segment, and feels comfortable in its own skin.
The world has enough classic dive watches, and in comparison, the Uni feels refreshing in practice. This doesn't feel like another paint-by-number addition to the genre, and instead brings a unique personality without compromising any of the functionality. Sure, it's not perfect, but it manages to find its footing in a very crowded segment, and finds a crossover appeal that will speak to the hardcore aficionados of the category as well as the dive-watch-curious among us. And that makes it a rare bird.