Norqain goes out of this world with the new Wild One Meteorite Special Edition
Russell SheldrakeWe’ve spoken at length on this website about the rise of stone dials, and especially those other-worldly meteorite pieces we are seeing more and more of right now. But Norqain has come out of left field with the new Wild One Meteorite Special Edition to surprise us all with this sporty, stone dial combination. Don’t worry, everything we know and love about the Wild One has stayed the same, but now we have this rich, textured, extra-terrestrial dial that elevates this limited edition to stratospheric levels. True, we are used to seeing these meteorite dials at this point, but for me, it is the combination of this rare stone with the tough, sporty exterior of the Wild One that makes this such an exciting proposition. Let’s dig into it.
The dial
Meteorite dials are nothing new to the industry. We have seen them cropping up, and every time they do, they tend to make a bit of a splash. And this example is no different. The meteorite used here displays the iconic Widmanstätten pattern, a crystalline structure formed by the extremely slow cooling of the various metallic elements inside the meteor as it flies through space. It’s brought to life through various processing steps that allow its unique fingerprint to emerge on each dial. It is possible to create various colours from a slice of meteorite, depending on the makeup on the stone and how you treat it. Here, Norqain has an iron-based stone and the various processes they have chosen leave you with this deep grey dial that allows the Widmanstätten pattern to play with the light in a subtle yet satisfying way.
The rest of this dial is a pretty monochromatic affair with the applied markers and hands sticking to a grey colour palette, only punctuated by white lume plots and minimal white dial text. Everything here is designed to bring that meteor to life when you look at the dial, without compromising on a Wild One key characteristic, functionality.
The case
Here, we continue those key Wild One characteristics with the Norteq case and its 25 components that make it one of the toughest and most rugged mechanical watches on the market. The new element here is the rich burgundy colour chosen for the Norteq composite material. It’s a nice, subtle choice when you consider the incredibly popular turquoise model that proves this is not a brand afraid of adding splashes of bright colour!
But here, we want the focus to be on the meteorite, and this deep red colour doesn’t draw the eye, but rather acts as a frame for that slice of space rock at the middle of all this. This colour is also a callback to one of the original trio that launched this model three years ago. Of course, you still get that bumper plate on the side of the case that can be personalised with whatever you can fit on there, adding to this watch’s recognisable silhouette.
The movement
Inside this limited edition, we see the return of the Kenissi-made NN20/1 automatic calibre. This is a movement that has been specifically designed to stand up to the rigours of extreme conditions, and that is shown true by those who use this watch regularly and don’t baby it at all. It still maintains its COSC certification despite this rough treatment. The noticeable upgrade that you get with this movement is the 70 hours of power reserve, when compared to the skeletonised N08S with just 41 hours, there is a real benefit here.
The strap
You can’t have a tough watch without a tough strap, and we have no exception to that rule here. The integrated rubber strap has proven to be a trusty companion for this model since its launch back in 2022. You also get some level of choice when it comes to the buckle on this strap, with a decision needing to be made between a Norteq pin buckle in case-matching burgundy or a DLC titanium folding clasp.
The verdict
This is a great new, exotic addition to the Wild One lineup, and while it will only be made in very limited numbers, it is nice to see this young brand experimenting with these stone dials in a way that feels very authentic to them. There are some who don’t think these delicate stone dials belong in tough sports watches like this. However, this watch is an example of how these two, seemingly diametrically opposed, concepts can work together in a natural way. I would not recommend this watch be the first Norqain you buy: there are other, more suitable gateway watches into this exciting brand, but if you are already in deep with this particular rabbit hole, I can’t think of a better model to pick up right now.
Norqain Wild One Meteorite Special Edition pricing and availability
The new Norqain Wild One Meteorite Special Edition is limited to just 300 pieces. Price: CHF 5,950 (Norteq pin buckle), CHF 6,300 (DLC titanium folding clasp)
| Brand | Norqain |
| Model | Wild One Meteorite Special Edition |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 12.3mm (T) |
| Case Material | Norteq composite with rubber shock-absorbing movement |
| Water Resistance | 200 metres, screw-down crown |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Meteorite |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap | Integrated black rubber, with either Norteq pin buckle or DLC titanium folding clasp |
| Movement | NN20/1, Kenissi-made, automatic |
| Power Reserve | 70 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, seconds |
| Availability | Limited to 300 |
| Price | CHF 5,950 (Norteq pin buckle) CHF 6,300 (DLC titanium folding clasp) |