Norqain’s new flyback chronograph calibre debuts in two Independence watches
Zach Blass- Norqain announces a new manufacture-exclusive 8K flyback chronograph calibre (NK24/1) designed with AMT/Sellita.
- The “8K” nickname stems from the 14 mountain peaks over 8,000 metres – the “eight-thousanders”.
- This calibre makes its debut inside two Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm watches (the first-ever Independence chronographs) – a Stainless Steel and a limited edition Titanium DLC.
Norqain has built its name upon being the adventurer’s watch brand, and its mountain peak double N logo is evocative of its daring spirit and commitment to manufacturing watches tailored for active lifestyles. This is not just in a romantic sense. Brand ambassador Andy Steindl has certainly battle-tested Norqain watches, raising a Norqain flag high and proud after completing his record-breaking speed run from Zermatt up to the Matterhorn peak in just under four hours. The brand’s personal peak milestone moment was arguably the debut of its Wild One collection, and announced alongside the reveal was the major news that watch industry legend Jean-Claude Biver had joined as an advisor to the Norqain board – an evolution that further reinforced its commitment to robust timepieces with a new Norteq case material. Befitting of a young brand that does not shy away from climbing to new horological heights, Norqain has just revealed the next chapter of its burgeoning story with its most complicated movement yet. Introduced within two Norqain Independent Skeleton Chrono 42mm designs, the first-ever Independence watches with a chronograph complication, the brand now has a flyback chronograph calibre in its arsenal.
Dubbed the “8K Manufacture Calibre”, this new movement, technically known as the NK24/1, is a manufacture-exclusive calibre that Norqain is transparent about the fact it was designed in partnership with Sellita’s higher-end manufacturing arm Manufacture AMT SA. While I cannot say with 100% certainty, it would appear the NK24/1 is a modified Sellita AMT5100M automatic flyback column-wheel chronograph movement.
While the AMT5100M is manually wound, has a date complication, and has 58 hours of power reserve, the NK24/1 is an automatic movement, with no date complication, and boasts 62 hours of power reserve. The NK24/1 further ups the ante with an additional eight jewels (for a total of 31), new visual flourishes such as the 8K mountain peak-inspired winding rotor and bridge, and COSC-certification that ensures the watch will run within +6/-4 seconds per day.
The NK24/1 8K Manufacture Calibre’s design has also been remixed from its origins with consideration for an openworked dial aesthetic. Whereas the AMT5100M would have counters at 9 and 3 on the dial, the running seconds has moved to the 6 position and the 30-minute totaliser to the 12 position. This shift affords more of a window into the front side of the calibre, and poetically the heartbeat of the watch, its escapement, is in full between the 9 and 11 o’clock indices just above the Norqain logo. This new movement finds itself within two new Independence Skeleton Chronos, the first of which is offered in a stainless steel case and can be purchased on a case-matching bracelet, with its link structure inspired by Norqain’s double N mountain peak logo, or a black textured rubber strap.
The stainless steel model will be limited in production, with a first batch of 300 pieces available now and a second batch set to be made available around the time Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025 kicks off. The second debuting DLC-coated, grade 5 titanium model, however, is a limited edition of 300 pieces – with no further production once they are all sold. Aside from the obvious, the DLC titanium model differs from the stainless steel version with purple accents rather than gold ones, and is also sold exclusively on a purple textured rubber strap. Both cases, however, are 41.8mm in diameter, 13.9mm thick, 49.8mm lug-to-lug, and 100 metres water-resistant, and have exceptional mixed finishes applied to the case. Scalloped and frosted lugs are the highlight, as there’s the signature 9 o’clock side customisable and removable engraving plate.
With a price range of CHF 5,700 to CHF 6,450, it doesn’t get past me that movement snobs may find the debuting Independence Chrono Skeletons on the pricey side due to the calibre’s Sellita origins. In fairness, the exclusive and bespoke nature of the 8K calibre, along with the quality of the externals it rests within, makes the pricing more justified in my book.
The detailing of the case is handsome and faceted, and Norqain’s signature engravable plate is a longstanding fun element that has the added benefit of not being permanent. As you summit different mountains or chapters in your life, the plate can be removed and swapped for another. You also have to consider the fact that Norqain is not simply aggregating off-the-shelf components for its designs, instead fabricating and curating distinct elements that result in an immediately identifiable aesthetic. Also, these are not watches produced in the millions – they stem from smaller production runs.
For a rock-solid flyback chronograph that’s on the larger side of the spectrum, these Norqain Independence Chrono Skeleton 42mm is a strong start for your consideration. But, if and when this movement finds itself in a Wild One case, which would be criminal if it did not happen, I think it would be even more compelling – albeit accompanied with an almost guaranteed (and understandable) step up in price.
Norqain Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm pricing and availability
The Norqain Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm in stainless steel is limited in production, the first batch of 300 pieces is available now for purchase, with the second batch arriving in time for Watches and Wonders Geneva 2025. The Norqain Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm Titanium DLC is also available now, but strictly as a limited edition of 300 pcs. Price: CHF 5,700 (steel/rubber), CHF 5,950 (steel/bracelet), CHF 6,450 (titanium DLC/rubber)
| Brand | Norqain |
| Model | Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm |
| Case Dimensions | 41.8mm (D) x 13.9mm (T) x 49.8mm (LTL) |
| Case Material | Stainless steel Grade 5 titanium, black DLC coating |
| Water Resistance | 100 metres |
| Crystal | Sapphire crystal front and back |
| Dial | Open |
| Strap | Steel bracelet or black textured rubber strap (steel) Purple textured rubber strap (DLC titanium) |
| Movement | NK24/1, AMT SA-based, automatic, COSC |
| Power Reserve | 62 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, small seconds, flyback chronograph |
| Availability | Limited production, first batch of 300 pieces (steel) Limited edition of 300 pieces (DLC titanium) |
| Price | CHF 5,700 (rubber strap), CHF 5,950 (bracelet) (steel) CHF 6,450 (DLC titanium) |