Introducing: The Brand Minim And Its Three-Watch-Strong Meridian Collection
Minim is an independent watch brand founded by Chloe Chan, and just like her, it is a balance of East and West. According to the founder, the three watches in the debut Meridian collection reflect her journey from Hong Kong to London and are a contemporary tribute to traditional watchmaking. The inspiration from vintage pocket watches and classical guilloché craftsmanship is clearly visible.
I was picking up strong Chronoswiss vibes when Chloe Chan gave us a sneak preview of her watches in the Geneva Jardin Anglais over a drink and after a busy day of looking at Geneva Watch Days novelties. That’s not necessarily a problem since I’m a long-time Chronoswiss fan. Three things struck me — the combination of a coin-edged bezel and crown, the one-size-fits-all 36.5mm case size, and the finishing of the colorful dials. The story behind the watches is interesting as well.
Minim and the Meridian collection
Minim founder Chloe Chan used to work in finance, but her passion for watchmaking changed her life. The name of her brand’s debut collection, Meridian, reflects geography and philosophy. The watches are conceived at the meeting point of cultures, honoring Chloe’s journey from roots in the East to a life shaped in the West. Meridians connect longitudes globally, and these watches connect languages and cultures.
The Meridian models debut in three variants. One is the green 碧 (Bik1), reminiscent of deep jade waters and ancient forests, embodying calm strength and renewal. Next is the ice-blue 晶 (Zing1), which evokes crystalline skies and glacial streams, radiating clarity and lightness. The last version is the purple 蘭 (Laan4), named after the orchid, a flower revered for its grace and refinement. Together, these colors form a natural palette.
Chinese and Roman numerals
The CNC-guilloché dials with Chinese numerals, 碧 (Bik1) and 晶 (Zing1), feature soleil and sunburst motifs that capture and reflect light with subtle brilliance. Meanwhile, the dial with Roman numerals, 蘭 (Laan4), presents a rich tapestry of soleil, écaille de poisson, and clous de Paris.
Underneath the colorful dials with traditional guilloché patterns beats a 23-jewel hand-wound Sellita SW261-1 M movement. This caliber beats at a 4Hz frequency and provides a 43-hour power reserve. Chloe decided against using an automatic movement because she likes the ritual one develops with a traditional manual-winding watch.
Final facts
The three Meridian watches’ pre-order price is £999 (inc. VAT) in the UK, US$1,199 (inc. tariff charges) in the USA, or £999 (ex. taxes/import duties) for the rest of the world. This pricing is exclusive to the launch pre-order period. When this core collection restocks in the future, the recommended retail price will be £1,199.
Chloe’s goal was to create watches showing that tradition can remain timeless while being vibrant, expressive, and full of life. Do you think she succeeded? Do you agree that having a CNC-guilloché dial on a watch that is affordable to a large audience is a great selling point? And do you, as I do, feel the Chronoswiss vibes but don’t mind that at all? Leave your answers and other remarks in the comments section below.
For more info, please visit the Minim Watches website.
