D.C.’s top three Norqain picks from the shop
D.C. HannayWe’ve got some exciting news! Time + Tide is now an authorised dealer for Norqain, and we couldn’t be more thrilled. The Swiss brand has been making waves since they burst onto the scene five years ago, with attractive original designs that back up their good looks with some truly proper specs. A fiercely independent manufacturer, no less than industry titan Jean-Claude Biver is an advisor to Norqain’s board. Additionally, Norqain is committed to a sustainable future, with a special emphasis on recyclable and cruelty-free materials. Norqain’s model lineup falls under three separate umbrellas, Adventure, Independence, and Freedom, each with their own character. Everyone at T+T has their own favourite models from the range, and I’m highlighting three of mine here.
Norqain Adventure NEVEREST 40mm Glacier
The definitive notion of the go-anywhere, do-anything (“GADA”) watch varies, but Norqain’s Adventure NEVEREST makes a compelling case, especially in the striking Glacier variant. It’s got the specs of a diver, but the Everest’s dimensions and glacier-white textured dial make it a versatile option for those seeking a one-watch collection (perish the thought!).
The case dimensions are just-right, with a 40mm diameter, lug-to-lug of 48.3mm, and a case height of just 12.55mm, ensuring an easy wear for the vast majority of wrists. A special plate on the 9 o’clock side of the case can be optionally engraved. Sapphire crystals protect the dial and display caseback, and the guarded crown screws down as well. The glacier white no-date dial’s intricate texture evokes the icy crevasses found on the climb to Everest’s summit, further highlighted by the cool grey of the ceramic bezel insert. Dial text is minimal, with the Norqain brand below 12, and the chronometer and 200 metre ratings above 6. The faceted hands and markers are lumed with Super LumiNova, and a bright red tip adorns the second hand. The NN20/1 in-house movement is a certified chronometer, with a 70 hour power reserve, 27 jewells, and a beat rate of 28,800 VpH. The 316L stainless bracelet is a brushed 3-link design, and the NEVEREST can also be ordered on a rubber or flex fabric strap.
All told, the Glacier is a fantastic package for those seeking a competent do-it-all Swiss timepiece. Additionally, with the brand’s partnership with the Butterfly Help Project, ten per cent of the earnings from the sales of Adventure NEVEREST watches help families of sherpas who have lost their lives in the Himalayan mountains and give their children access to education.
| Brand | Norqain |
| Model | Adventure NEVEREST Glacier 40mm |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 12.55mm (T) x 48.3mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 200m |
| Dial | Glacier white textured |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Bracelet | Stainless 3-link |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Movement | NN20/1 automatic |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | $5400 |
Norqain Independence Wild ONE 42mm Khaki
From the traditional to the cutting edge, we now look at the Independence Wild ONE, featuring high-tech construction in a bold, lightweight sports model. Designed in collaboration with Jean-Claude Biver, the Wild ONE line begins with its innovative case construction. The multi-layered design features their proprietary Norteq carbon fibre composite for the 42mm outer cage, secured to an inner titanium and shock absorbing rubber structure that can withstand forces of 5,000 g. Norteq is six times lighter than steel, and 3.5 times lighter than titanium, and the entire watch clocks in at a mere 84 grams. My favourite variant is the black and khaki combo, which brings a vibe of pure tactical cool.
The laser-cut black dial has a multi-level effect that must be seen, and upon closer inspection, consists of an intricate pattern that features the interlocking double “N” of the Norqain logo in three layers. Skeletonised hands do nothing to distract from the visual interest, but are supremely legible with their bright white lume jumping off the dial. The rest of the specs inspire the confidence of all Norqain timepieces, with the NN20/1 in-house chronometer movement, 200 metres of water resistance, screwdown crown, and sapphire crystals front and back. The included rubber strap features a mesh texture in two-tone black and khaki green, a stylistic choice that’s right up my alley.
| Brand | Norqain |
| Model | Independence Wild ONE |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 12.30mm (T) x 49.40mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Norteq carbon fibre, titanium, rubber |
| Water Resistance | 200m |
| Dial | Laser-cut textured black |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Strap | Khaki/black rubber |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Movement | NN20/1 automatic |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | $7600 |
Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm Blue
Finally, every collection deserves a classically-styled mechanical chronograph, and the Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm Blue is a handsome choice. Available in three different dial variants, I’m especially enamoured of the sunray blue version. The right-sized 40mm stainless case is a great fit for the average wrist, especially since many chronographs check in at 42mm and above in diameter. Although it’s a chrono, the case is still water resistant to 100 metres, and features a screwdown crown.
The Freedom 60 flaunts a great neo-vintage style, with pump-style pushers at 2 and 4, a boxed sapphire crystal, classic 3-register subdial layout, and faceted hands and indices, lumed with Old Radium Super LumiNova. One of my favourite details is the domed, two-level dial that adds dimension via the parchment-coloured inset subdials. The movement is Norqain’s autowinding NN19, a modified version of the trusted Sellita SW510a. It features 27 jewells, a smooth-running beat rate of 28,800 VpH, and a 62-hour power reserve. Norqain also has included a personalised oscillating weight, visible through the sapphire caseback. I love it on the stainless H-link bracelet, it can also be specified on linen, Alcantara, or Perlon rubber straps.
| Brand | Norqain |
| Model | Freedom 60 Chrono |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm (D) x 14.9mm (T) x 49.2mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel |
| Water Resistance | 100m |
| Dial | Sunray blue |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire |
| Bracelet | Stainless H-link |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Movement | NN19 (Sellita base) |
| Power Reserve | 62 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, chrono, date |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | $6300 |