FeatureBuilt To Thrill: Introducing Norqain And Its Defining Collections

Independent watch manufacturers Norqain are a fairly young brand in the industry but have managed to garner a favourable reputation among watch enthusiasts. Established in 2018, the brand focus on producing robust and reliable tool watches that are perfect for the rugged outdoors and treacherous terrains. In fact this is symbolised by a mountain peak—the brand logo in the shape of two ‘Ns’ representing a summit. Norqain claim they are inspired by the Swiss Alps and are ‘as Swiss as it gets’. Headquartered in Bienne, Switzerland, the company was established by Ben Küffer, who also serves as current CEO, and comes from a family that has been in the watch manufacturing business for over four decades. This experience has given the brand a vision and know-how to produce top-quality, Swiss-made timepieces at fairly competitive prices. Therefore the core values of quality, reliability, and trust have been deeply ingrained in the company’s ethos and are also incorporated into their watches. This independence also ensures that the brand will continue to uphold traditional Swiss watchmaking values since they are in complete control of all the decision making and policy implementation at every level.

Norqain are one of the few Swiss brands that make only mechanical timepieces, and every single watch is assembled by the hands of expert watchmakers at the production site in Tavannes. The watches undergo strict production and quality-control checks at various levels that ensure precision, functionality and robustness. They are designed in-house and feature high-end case finishing, and creative dial designs. They are equipped with a customisable ‘Norqain plate’, and feature exhibition casebacks that allow one to view the inner workings of the NN20 manufacture calibres or the ETA or Sellita movements, replete with personalised oscillating weights. The brand haven’t spread themselves too thin when it comes to core collections, and are focused on three main pillars—Adventure, Freedom and Independence. Let’s take a closer look at some of their highlights that have helped build and define the brand in a relatively short duration.

Norqain recently announced a new and exciting collaboration with Jean-Claude Biver– the watchmaking industry legend. Together, they aim to spread their passion for mechanical watches in the age of digitalisation and smartwatches. Norqain’s mission is to support the movement of putting Swiss-made watches on the wrists of the young and the young-at-heart, a mission that Biver wholeheartedly supports

The Outstanding Trio

The brand’s offerings fall into three main pillars—Adventure, Freedom and Independence—all of which present a unisex appeal. The watches are made from high-quality materials, including stainless steel, 18-karat gold, ceramic and bronze. They are water-resistant to at least 100m and feature the ‘Norqain plate’, which gives each timepiece an unmistakable identity. This distinctive plate can always be found on the left side of the case of all models, and can be engraved with a personalised message. Norqain are also committed to the environment, following sustainable manufacturing practices, and are no longer producing watches with leather straps. Instead, their watches come with certified vegan rubber straps with a crocodile leather texture, or metallic bracelets, or fabric straps. This exhaustive range of straps also allow wearers to customise the watch according to their tastes, and to suit their active lifestyles.

NORQAIN Adventure

₹2,44,100

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Adventure Collection

The Adventure line embodies the thrill of exploring and conquering nature and its most difficult terrains—the trails, the summits and the tides. The robustness of these powerful watches prepares them for whatever nature throws your way. The signature woven dial pattern, rotating bezels and uniquely sturdy construction make the Adventure timepieces equipped for a lifetime of adventurous moments. This line showcases a strong character that speaks to adrenaline junkies. This is the most expansive collection at the brand and features GMT watches, chronographs and basic three-hand automatics.

First up, the 42mm automatic Adventure Sport features the distinctive dial in black with a date window at three o’clock and Super-LumiNova-coated indexes and hands, aiding readability in low-light conditions. The case and knurled bezel are made from stainless steel with a diamond-like-carbon (DLC) coating. It can be fitted with a khaki or black Nordura strap, or a black rubber strap. Powering this robust wristwatch is the calibre NN09, which is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, and offers a power reserve of at least 38 hours.

The Adventure collection showcases a strong character that speaks to adrenaline junkies, who are always searching for a new challenge, and is the most expansive line at the brand

₹4,10,700

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The Adventure Sport Chrono 44mm featured here, showcases a date window between four and five o’clock, and three black sub-dials at three, six and nine o’clock

₹4,10,700

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The case and knurled bezel are made from stainless steel with diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating

₹4,10,700

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The unidirectional rotating bezel comes with a click system with a 60-minute graduation scale

₹4,10,700

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This watch can also be paired with a black rubber strap, a black Nordura strap or a khaki Nordura strap

₹4,10,700

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Then there is also a 42mm chronograph version with a date window between four and five o’clock, and three black sub-dials at three, six and nine o’clock. The case and knurled bezel are made from stainless steel with diamond-like carbon (DLC) coating, and the unidirectional rotating bezel comes with a click system with a 60-minute graduation scale. This watch can also be paired with a black rubber strap, a black Nordura strap or a khaki Nordura strap. It is driven by the calibre NN18, which can function seamlessly for up to 48 hours.

The Adventure collection also comprises the Neverest series. Ten percent of the earnings from this series are donated to the Butterfly Help Project, which supports families of Sherpas who have lost their lives in Nepal, by supporting their children’s education. The Neverest Night Sight 40mm has a bold dial that emits a green glow in the dark, thanks to powerful X1 Super-LumiNova, which is 60 percent stronger than standard Super-LumiNova. The black numerals at 12, three, six and nine o’clock stand out against a sand-coloured background, while the DLC coating on the steel case, lugs, bezel and screwed-down crown lend the watch a robust appearance. The crown is shielded by a rectangular protection, and the bi-directional bezel is engraved with the initials of the cardinal and ordinal directions, except the north, which is represented by the brand logo. It is water-resistant to 200m and is powered by Norqain’s manufacture movement calibre NN20/1, which can store a significant energy reserve of at least 70 hours.

NORQAIN Adventure

₹3,62,600

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In the Neverest series, there’s also a full stainless steel 40mm three-hand automatic that features a lush green dial with Super-LumiNova-coated hands and indexes. It has a knurled stainless steel bezel complete with a black ceramic ring insert. This timepiece is water-resistant to 200m and is also equipped with the in-house manufacture calibre NN20/1, which is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.

NORQAIN Adventure

₹3,47,900

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And last but not the least is the Neverest GMT 41mm Limited Edition in a full stainless steel design (case and bracelet) with a black dial featuring Norqain’s signature woven pattern, surrounded by a GMT scale. It features a gold half-ring from 6:00pm (1800h) to 6:00am that indicates night-time hours, and a white half-ring from 6:00am to 6:00pm (1800h) that indicates daytime hours. The central GMT hand has a red tip and there’s also a date window positioned at three o’clock. The 18-karat red gold bidirectional-rotating bezel features a knurled edge for optimal handling. Limited to 100 pieces only, this watch is powered by the in-house automatic-winding calibre NN20/2, which can function autonomously for up to 70 hours beating at a frequency of 28,800vph.

The Neverest GMT 41mm Limited Edition in a full stainless steel design (case and bracelet) with a black dial with Norqain’s signature woven pattern, surrounded by a GMT scale

Limited to 100 pieces only, the watch features a central GMT hand with a red tip, and there’s also a date window positioned at three o’clock

NORQAIN Adventure

₹4,33,000

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Freedom Collection

An ode to the swinging 60s, the Freedom collection is inspired by a bygone era that was probably the most experimental. The vintage-inspired design of the watches in this line includes domed sapphire crystal glass, vintage straps with visible stitching, and gorgeous dials with hand-applied indexes that hark back to the classic dress watch aesthetics of the 1960s. The Freedom 60 42mm wristwatch combines classic and contemporary design codes, and features a domed black dial with a date window at three o’clock. The hands and indexes feature old radium-coloured Super-LumiNova, which was quite popular in timepieces back then. This 42mm stainless steel watch has a smooth matching bezel and is presented on a Norlando leather strap available in a range of colours. It is driven by the automatic-winding calibre NN09, visible through an exhibition caseback, while it offers a power reserve of at least 38 hours.

The Freedom 60 42mm wristwatch combines classic and contemporary design codes, and features a domed black dial with a date window at three o’clock

This 42mm stainless steel watch has a smooth matching bezel and is presented on a Norlando leather strap available in a range of colours

NORQAIN Freedom

₹1,95,100

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Independence Collection

The Independence family is for non-conformists and for people who don’t follow the herd in order to accomplish their goals. This is evident in the innovative and ultra-robust timepieces, built to weather any storm. Just like the Independence 21 42mm Limited Edition timepiece featured here, numbered to 200 pieces only. It has an alluring midnight-blue dial with a scratched decoration that is unique for each model. The stainless steel case features brushed, polished and sandblasted finishing. The watch is equipped with the COSC-certified NN20/1 calibre with an oscillating weight with the golden ‘double-N’ logo, visible through the sapphire crystal caseback, and boasts a 70-hour power reserve. It is presented on a polished steel bracelet that sits comfortably on the wrist.

NORQAIN Independence

₹3,08,700

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With such robust and reliable timekeepers in their arsenal, there ain’t no mountain high enough for Norqain to conquer, and earn their rightful place in the tool-watch segment.