Five Norqain watches that show how dynamic a brand can be
Andrew O'ConnorFor an industry often thought of as moving slowly, it feels genuinely surprising when a new Swiss brand pops up and manages to carve its own niche in the blink of an eye. But when we look at Norqain, you have to consider the team that they quietly stacked with industry insiders and veterans who helped them become such an instant disruptor. The founding leadership includes Ben Küffer, Mark Streit, and Ted Schneider. Ted Schneider hails from the family that formerly owned the Breitling brand, allowing for generational knowledge to inform the formation of a new brand.
In addition to the Schneider family ties, Norqain’s board includes none other than Jean-Claude Biver, the industry veteran responsible for reviving Blancpain, partnering Omega with James Bond, and making Hublot the ultra-luxe, avant-garde force it is today. Norqain started operations in 2018 and has gained significant recognition in a relatively short time. Input from industry veterans is undoubtedly helpful, but Norqain has developed a product catalogue that commands the attention of watch enthusiasts, ranging from seasoned collectors to new mechanical watch enthusiasts. Here are five Norqain watches that we think display why the brand is worth your attention.
Norqain Freedom Chrono Enjoy Life Sprinkles
The first Norqain Freedom Chrono Enjoy Life was quickly a fan favourite. With so many brands leaning on historically influenced designs and touting ties to legacy models (whether they belong to the brand or not), Norqain decided to double down on fun, and that quickly resonated with watch enthusiasts. The first Enjoy Life models sold out, proving the concept had legs. Norqain has followed the original Enjoy Life limited edition with the Freedom Chrono Enjoy Life Sprinkles.
Made as a tribute to the kid in all of us, the strawberry pink or bubblegum blue dial is adorned with a sprinkles motif treated with Super-LumiNova, making it sure to spark joy day or night. For the full nostalgia kick, the Norqain Freedom Chrono Enjoy Life Sprinkles is available with a white rubber strap that continues the lumed sprinkles motif. Powered by the N19 movement (based on a Sellita SW510), this automatic 12-hour chrono with a date features a soft-serve ice cream cone on selected dates, as a reminder to do something fun that day. The Norqain Freedom Chrono Enjoy Life Sprinkles is available in the Time+Tide shop. Price: US$6,350
Norqain Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm Limited Edition
It is one thing for a brand to find success with relatively conventional models utilising movements from established suppliers. These watches can be great, but investing in a manufacture movement and leaning into a modern, avant-garde design language takes a level of confidence and dedication that is not for the faint of heart, for both the brand and collectors. The Norqain Independence Skeleton Chrono displays the brand’s independent spirit (as the name suggests) that undoubtedly won the favour of industry veteran and Norqain board member Jean-Claude Biver.
Housed in a black DLC-coated titanium case with 100 meters of water resistance, this Independence Skeleton Chrono features teal elements on the dial, a skeletonised movement, and a colour-matched rubber strap. Inside is the Norqain 8K Manufacture Calibre, an automatic 30-minute flyback chronograph, featuring a 62-hour power reserve. The Norqain Independence Skeleton Chrono is a watch that shows the brand’s technical abilities in a wearable and practical wrist-worn package. The Norqain Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm Limited Edition is available in the Time+Tide shop. Price: US$$8,490.
Norqain Wild One Skeleton 39mm Sky Blue
The Wild One series from Norqain may appear as another modern skeletonised watch with a black case, but these models pack some clever engineering and material science, making it the ideal mechanical sports watch. The 39mm case is made of a proprietary carbon compound called NORTEQ, with a central titanium case and rubber shock absorbers that help protect the movement inside while you’re getting active.
As a result, the case weighs a mere 64 grams while maintaining 200 meters of water resistance. Inside is the automatic calibre NO8S, a Norqain modified version of a skeletonised Sellita SW200 with a 41-hour power reserve and COSC Chronometre certification, making for a reliable, accurate, and lightweight movement to pair with the tech-forward case material. If having a robust, accurate, and lightweight watch on your wrist is a priority, the NORQAIN Wild One Skeleton models are ones to consider. The Norqain Wild One Skeleton 39mm Sky Blue is available in the Time+Tide shop. Price: US$6,750 on a rubber strap with a pin buckle.
Norqain Wild One Skeleton 42mm Coral
The 39mm Wild One Skeleton does make an appealing case for a modern sport watch. That being said, whether it is an undying love for larger watches, or a visceral avoidance of anything under 40mm, some collectors want more physical presence on their wrist. The Wild One Skeleton 42mm Coral has the same NORTEQ case material, titanium inner case, rubber shock absorbers, and Sellita-based NO8S Chronometre movement as its 39mm counterpart, albeit in a larger case and different thematic colour, providing watch buyers an option with a bit more wrist presence.
To further quantify the lightness of the NORTEQ material, it is six times lighter than steel, and even 3.5 times lighter than titanium. The Wild One skeleton models were also designed in collaboration with Jean-Claude Biver, leveraging his experience with modern sport watches to create what has become one of the most successful model lines for Norqain. The Norqain Wild One Skeleton 42mm Coral is available in the Time+Tide shop. Price: US$6,790.
Norqain Adventure Sport Chrono 44mm
With the other Norqain models on this list, there has been a theme of having fun with watches. Whether it is via light-hearted design themes, bright colours, and/or a watch intended to be worn during sporting activities, these watches are equal parts functional and visual statement. While we at Time+Tide fully support having fun with watches, sometimes the day calls for a no-nonsense tool watch, and the Norqain Adventure Sport Chrono delivers.
The 44mm wide stainless steel case is DLC-coated black, and has 100 meters of water resistance. Powering the 12-hour chronograph is the Norqain Calibre N19, which is based on the SW510 A. With the addition of a date function and a rotating timing bezel, the Adventure Sport Chrono has just about every practical timing function one could ask for, with enough durability to handle whatever the day may throw at you. The Norqain Adventure Sport Chrono 44m is available in the Time+Tide shop. Price: US$5,450.