INTRODUCING: The Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm Bronze – Black Dial
Zach BlassThe watch community may be more familiar with their Adventure, Independent, and Wild One collections, but a top-seller for the Norqain brand is their Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm. Today, a new limited-edition installment has just entered the chat, with a handsome bronze panda vibe, that appears to be a worthy successor to one of their bestsellers.
The 40mm version of the Freedom 60 Chrono is more wrist-friendly than the 43mm diameter models within the collection, with a case that is a tad beefy at 14.9mm thick but a comfortable lug-to-lug just a hair over 49mm. This bronze case, at least before it begins to develop a bit of patinated character, almost appears like yellow gold. It’s entirely satinated on its front side, with accents of polish found on the pushers, bevels of the lugs, and case flanks.
The Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm Bronze – Black Dial will really speak to fans of vintage chronographs that also appreciate the security of a modern build. Its 100m water-resistant case, secured by a screw-down crown, offers robust protection against moisture and, of course, 40mm is a comfortable modern size. But, the dial directly draws upon the aesthetic of ’60s chronograph dials, with an attractive white on black panda configuration, and it rests beneath a boxed sapphire crystal for added vintage effect. The dial is also layered with the white counters of the chronograph sunken into the black central medallion, again, evocative of vintage chronograph dial designs. The bronze tone of the hands and indices also offer a sort of gilded elegance to the otherwise sporty dial, which, in tandem with the case, gives it added flair.
Inside the watch, visible beneath the bronze PVD-coated steel exhibition caseback, is the Norqain automatic chronograph calibre NN18 which is their modified take on the well-known ETA 7753 calibre. The difference between a ETA/Valjoux 7750 and 7753 is the addition of a date complication at the 4:30 position, which can be adjusted through the crown or an embedded pusher in the side of the case. It offers a standard 48 hours of power reserve, and as a robustly based calibre the NN18 should perform very reliably on the wrist. And, speaking of on the wrist, the 200 pieces of the limited edition can be purchased on either a black perlon rubber strap or an ebony alcantra leather strap – each secured to the wrist via a case-matching pin-buckle closure.
Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm – Black Dial pricing and availability:
The Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm Bronze – Black Dial is available now as a limited edition of 200 pieces. Price: US$4,020 (on alcantra leather), US$4,190 (on perlon rubber)
| Brand | Norqain |
| Model | Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm Bronze – Black Dial |
| Case Diameter | 40mm (D) x 14.9mm (T) x 49.27mm (L2L) |
| Case Material | Bronze |
| Water Resistance | 100m (screw-down crown) |
| Dial | Black dial with white registers and outer ring |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal and sapphire caseback |
| Strap | Black perlon rubber or ebony alacantra leather |
| Lug Width | 20mm |
| Movement | Norqain automatic calibre NN18 (ETA 7753) |
| Power Reserve | 48 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, chronograph |
| Availability | Now, Limited Edition of 200 pcs. |
| Price | US$4,020 (on alcantra leather), US$4,190 (on perlon rubber) |