What is the point of a luxury, mechanical watch? As many have duly noted, in a day and age of plentiful devices, super computers in our very pockets, accurately and immediately telling the time is matter requiring passive attention at best. It is readily available. Thus, the timepiece, having been thoroughly supplanted by the steady beat of progress, must transcend its simple stated purpose. This modern meaning varies from watch to watch and collector to collector. But be it the status, the story, or the marker of an occasion, the underlying factor seems to be that, above all else, watches make us dream.

The Low-Down

Norqain is a brand that seems to have a crystalline understanding of this. Having only existed for but a few short years, they have nevertheless created a brand whose personality is as clear as it is dynamic. While it may not have the same history or heritage, what it does have is the identity of its customers – the Norqainers. These adventurous, inspired, international individuals are a broad, compelling crew: explorers, athletes, activists, jet setters. It is an exciting life, that of a Norqainer. With the release of its latest sport chronograph, the Adventure Sport Chrono Day/Date 41, Norqain has added yet another object of desire for those aspiring to live an intrepid life.

With a stainless steel case and bracelet, alternating between brushed and high polished finishes and accents of 18 carat 5n red gold along the bezel and elsewhere, the Adventure Sport Chrono Day/Date provides equal appeal in terms of action and elegance. The black, textured dial, featuring their trademark pattern, deceptively reminiscent of a carbon fiber weave, provides a visual foundation for the rest of the piece, communicating its intended use. The accents of red gold which punctuate the dial by way of the luminous hands, indices, and bezel, communicate a luxurious dressiness, lest the sport forwarded persona limit the timepiece’s wearability – from ski suit to swim suit, from tarmac to tux.

Within the 41mm case, adorned by the signature engravable plate, beats the Norqain calibre NN17, built on the base Sellita SW500a. As a brief aside, it is always refreshing when a company provides such information, as to better inform their customers of what they are buying. Far too many companies still insist on hiding the base movements behind their own designations. Whether out of some misplaced sense of shame for not creating an in-house movement, or a halfhearted attempt to mislead, it is an unnecessary and outdated practice. Norqain suffers from no such lack of confidence.

IMHO

In a time when watches serve as anachronistic tools at best and affectations at worst, brands face the ever increasing challenge of differentiating themselves in a furiously completive and largely unforgiving market. Between singular titans and massive conglomerates, it is a wonder that any new watch company has been able to successfully differentiate themselves and find success in the face of such competition.

When presented with a shiny new watch, the first impression is seldom analytical – it is emotional. If we are struck by a the appearance of a timepiece, we immediately, almost reflexively picture ourselves wearing that timepiece. But in what environment does this fantasy take place? Not in the routine or mundane. Few would say their first thought is to envision an evocative watch, clasped to their wrist, itself dangling from the handrail of a subway car. On the contrary, we picture ourselves in adventurous environs – on a windswept ski slope, stepping out of an elegant town car, or draped across the table at glamorous dinner.

Where Norqain has been particularly successful is in their ability to create a differentiated class for its consumers. The person who buys a Norqain is not a weekend warrior, or an athlete, an adventurer, or even a jet setter. No, the person who buys a Norqain is a Norqainer. By the virtue of their initiatives, partnerships, and branding, as well as a healthy heap of distinctive design and futuristic materials, they have created not merely a watch. Rather, Norqain has created a lifestyle where that watch belongs – and the wrist on which that watch resides, belongs to a Norqainer.

Tech Specs

Movement: Automatic Calibre NN17 (SW500 a) Chronograph movement, 62 hour power reserve
Functions: Hour, Minutes, chronograph seconds hand, 3 counter subdials, day and date function
Case: 41mm 316L Stainless steel case with 18 carat 5n Red gold accented unidirectional bezel and black aluminum insert, sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective coating and matching exhibition caseback; water-resistant to 100m
Dial: Black dial background with trademark Norqain pattern and 18ct 5n Red gold accents
Straps: 316L stainless steel bracelet – folding clasp with security clasp, rubber strap inspired by the knurled bezel design with pin buckle, or rubber strap inspired by the knurled bezel design with folding clasp
Price: USD 5,490