NORQAIN: A New-Found Freedom With Exclusive Manufacture Calibre
By Sarah Jayne Potter | 4 minute read
NORQAIN is a family-owned and independent watch brand located in Biel in the heart of the thriving Swiss watchmaking industry. Founded in 2018 by CEO, Ben Küffer, and led by a team with a strong heritage and remarkable industry insight. NORQAIN is built upon a foundation of knowledge and passion for the watchmaking industry.
NORQAIN’S three collections – Adventure, Freedom and Independence, stem from being driven by the excitement that comes with exploring the road less travelled. All solely feature mechanical automatic movements. In 2020, the alliance between NORQAIN and movement manufacturer, Kenissi, resulted in two exclusive Manufacture Calibres to be integrated into the three collections. The launch of Manufacture Calibre NN20/1 and NN20/2 in February has propelled NORQAIN to greater heights. It illustrates the ambition to not only remain independent but to also become established as a respected brand within the Swiss watch industry, offering clients precision timekeeping that exceeds industry standards. NORQAIN’S Freedom 60 models are now an exciting part of this accomplishment as they become the first watches within the NORQAIN collection to host these high-performance Manufacture Calibres.
The Freedom collection is the perfect home for this initial launch because it symbolises our own freedom as an independent brand as well as the freedom the wearers experience when they set out on their own pursuits BEN KÜFFER, NORQAIN CEO
The much-anticipated new additions to the Freedom 60 collection include two GMT models (one of which is a limited-edition) and two three-hand models. One can’t help but recognise the essence of 1960’s classic design married with contemporary watch design, particularly with the bronze casing. The wants and needs of NORQAIN’S customers and followers influenced the design of the new Freedom watches and the resulting smaller size and attractive proportions of the GMT models should appeal to both new and existing clientele. But without doubt, the highlight of these chronometers is what lies beneath. The high-performance three-hand Manufacture Calibre NN20/1 and GMT Manufacture Calibre NN20/2 exceed all industry standards and the 70-hour power reserve inspire the wearer to enjoy Freedom throughout the weekend. The Manufacture Calibre’s jumping hour function – a key feature – means that no matter where your adventure takes you, adjusting to your new time zone couldn’t be easier.
Introducing the Freedom 60 GMT
Championing the new launch is the Freedom 60 GMT in steel with a striking black dial, with a choice of either a Norlando leather strap or stainless-steel bracelet. Joining this piece is the limited-edition bronze model with a distinguished cedar-brown dial on a Norlando leather strap (featured image). This is the first time that Norqain have used bronze in the GMT and 3-hand and it’s not hard to see why. Used in naval engineering, bronze is a particularly fascinating metal that not only has remarkable, anti-corrosive properties but also changes in appearance over time as the metal oxidises. Bronze is also used in the manufacture of the bezel, NORQAIN plate and indexes. Bronze PVD is applied to the steel caseback and the faceted hands, set with SuperLuminova markers are also bronze. Set against a stunning cedar brown dial, this really is a spectacular wristwatch, limited to just 300 pieces.
Central to both dials is a unique GMT scale enabling the wearer to keep track of time in an additional time zone. The scale features an anthracite half-ring from 6pm to 6am indicating night-time hours and a white half-ring from 6am to 6pm indicating daytime hours. The dial is encased in a sapphire glass, scratch resistant dome, typical of 1960’s watch design. The lug-to-lug length of these 40mm models is 49mm and they have an impressive 70 hour power reserve.
Both models are constructed with a pioneering jumping hour to enable changing the time to accommodate a new time zone without losing a second.
The transparent caseback reveals the exclusive Manufacture Calibre NN20/2 which provides the foundation for excellence and the reassurance of wearing a high performance, quality chronograph. NORQAIN’S core values of “Adventure – Freedom – Independence” are engraved onto the bridge and the “double-N” NORQAIN logo, illustrative of the Swiss Alps, features on the oscillating weight.
Introducing the Freedom 60 three-hand models
The new Freedom 60 three-hand wristwatch is available in two new distinct 39mm models. The stunning anthracite dial is married with a stainless-steel case and features hand-applied indexes and “Old Radium” SuperLuminova markers, all encased within a domed sapphire glass to provide ultimate protection.
The alternative cream coloured dial is set within a classic bronze case, distinguished by its yellow tone, dissimilar to the more frequently seen rose-tinged bronze of today. Both the pin clasp of the Norlando leather strap and the NORQAIN plate at the side of the case are also bronze to match the case. The steel caseback is also treated with PVD bronze to compliment the design.
Powering the new Freedom 60 three-hand models is the unique NORQAIN Manufacture Calibre NN20/1. Protected by the scratch-proof sapphire glass, the impressive calibre can be viewed through the caseback, in addition to the identifiable brand logo and core values engraved on the bridge.
This new calibre addresses the long-lasting demand for a more delicate movement that makes for an impressive 39mm diameter and 11.7mm thickness for this automatic winding Manufacture Calibre.
