Norqain leads the way in sustainable watchmaking

It is estimated that by the year 2050, the amount of plastic in the ocean will outweigh the amount of fish. Plastic, the ubiquitous packaging material, is a scourge to marine environments. Only 9% of all plastic ever created has been recycled, and of all the plastic in the ocean, 80% comes from land-based sources. This waste is causing severe harm to marine biology, from seabirds to whales; no species is immune. It’s a cost that isn’t just measured in the lives of animals; it is estimated that globally the damage bill is $13 billion a year, with the economic impact of litter on tourism, fishing and shipping in the Asia-Pacific region alone, adding up to $1.3 billion. Thankfully, these are now mainstream issues and there is hope that the tide of plastics is turning. Norqain is leading the way as a role model for sustainability in the watch industry.

Norqain is one of the most interesting, exciting and dynamic Swiss watch brands in the field right now with a growing global footprint, a clear direction, a commitment to sustainability and watches that have what it takes to take on the world. This is remarkable in and of itself, but add to that the fact that Norqain was founded in 2018, and what the brand has been able to achieve in a few short years is even more impressive.

Take, for example, the Freedom 60 Chronograph. This handsome 40mm chronograph is a cleanly designed three-register chronograph with pump pushers, powered by the caliber NN18, based on the proven Valjoux 7753. The chronograph is offered in two sizes and four dial variants. The 40mm model has vibrant blue and anthracite panda-configuration dials, while the larger 43mm model comes with a sophisticated cream dial as well as a black panda dial. In a nice personal touch, each watch has the option of a plate on the left-hand side of the case that can be engraved with a personalized message, date or perhaps even coordinates to hidden treasure.

Norqain Freedom 60 Chronograph
Norqain Freedom 60 Chronograph
Caliber NN18, based on the proven Valjoux 7753
Caliber NN18, based on the proven Valjoux 7753
You can engrave with a personal messasge on the left-hand side of the case
You can engrave with a personal messasge on the left-hand side of the case

This detail isn’t the only reason why the Freedom 60 Chronograph stands out. In addition to standard steel or rubber strap options, this chronograph is offered on an upcycled linen strap and a vegan Alcantara strap.

The upcycled linen strap
The upcycled linen strap
The vegan Alcantara Strap
The vegan Alcantara Strap

Like other Alcantara straps, Norqain’s version looks and feels like high-quality suede — except that, unlike suede, this material is entirely vegan. The lining of the strap is ingeniously made from AppleSkin, produced from apple skins and cores reclaimed from the food industry, which is then dried, dyed and transformed into a PETA-approved leather-like material.

In addition to this, Norqain offers a linen strap made from ocean-bound plastic. In developing this strap, Norqain has worked with a Swiss company, #tide. This organization works to collect the plastic polluting coastlines and oceans, and gives it a second life by working with the Institute for Materials Technology and Plastics Processing, a branch of the Swiss University of Applied Sciences Rapperswil, to create #tide ocean material that is woven into yarn for textile applications, granules for injection molding, and even filaments for 3D printing. Not only does this premium recycled material redirect waste from our ocean and provide a meaningful second life for plastics, but it also models a pathway forward for sustainability. Norqain’s Nortide strap is a significant and substantive example of what sustainability looks like in the watch industry.

Norqain Freedom 60 Chronograph
Norqain has worked with a Swiss company, #tide

It’s worth noting that Norqain’s venture into vegan and upcycled straps is only the latest development in the brand’s ongoing efforts in sustainability, charity and animal protection. From the beginning, Norqain has never offered alligator or crocodile leather products, and since partnering with global ambassador Dean Schneider, the brand has pledged to be 100% animal cruelty-free, with no animal leather or materials used in their watches. Norqain has already phased out all-leather straps from its collections. In addition, Norqain has partnered with Swiss Climate, and is on track to be carbon neutral by the end of 2022. In terms of giving back, 10% of proceeds from their popular Neverest line go to help support the Butterfly Help Project, which works to fund education and critical infrastructure in Nepalese communities.

Brand's global ambassador Dean Schneider
Brand's global ambassador Dean Schneider
The Butterfly Help Project
The Butterfly Help Project

Norqain’s watches, like the Freedom 60 Chronograph on a Nortide strap, demonstrate that a well-designed, high-quality watch can not only be ethical, but more importantly, ethical in a meaningful, holistic way. Norqain is not a company paying lip service to values of sustainability and cruelty-free production; the young company has been built from the ground up around these values. When you look at what Norqain stands for, it’s no surprise they named their flagship chronograph Freedom.

Norqain Freedom 60 Chronograph

Find out more about Norqain’s values and watches here.

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