New versions join the brand’s flagship collection and take it in a new stylistic direction with a blacked out model and into new price territory with 18k red gold.
By now, you’d pretty much have to be a watch enthusiast living under a rock, in a very far flung part of the world, to not have had Norqain pop up on your radar. Indeed, even if you have spent the past year on safari, the young Swiss brand has likely crossed your path. Having only been established in 2018, the meteoric rise in visibility, partnership, and product offerings that Norqain has been able to garner has been nothing short of astounding. In particular, their ‘Wild One family of adventurous luxury timepieces has continued to distinguish itself from other timepieces with its combinations of high-tech materials, colors, and textures. That continues today with the release of two brand new pieces – the Wild One Gold and Wild One All Black.
Featuring the same cage-style construction as the other Wild Ones, these two new pieces are distinguished from their contemporaries by material and visual impact. The All Black, which is constructed with the proprietary NORTEQ carbon fiber composite material, is paradoxically striking in its charcoal black stealthiness. The subtle, polished gunmetal accents of the skeletonized indices and handset catch the light which is otherwise absorbed by matted latticework of the Norqain logo, mandala-like dial.
Housed within the carbon exterior and rubber midcase is Norqain’s titanium cage, which provides additional protection for the Kenissi-built Calibre NN20/1 movement. Paired with the Milanese patterned rubber strap and matching NORTEQ pin buckle, the Wild One series of watches (starting at $5,290) offer an impressive value when compared to other high tech luxury watches on the market.
But, at the risk of the All Black being overshadowed, the Wild One Gold arrives like a bright gold ray of sunlight, piercing the stygian night. In lieu of the NORTEQ carbon case, solid 18k gold has been used in combination with the rubber midcase and titanium interior. In keeping with Norqain’s ethical compass and socially conscious ethos, the 5n Red gold is sourced from PX Group, which provides mercury free, fully traceable gold from ethical mines.
Unlike the All Black, which will be a part of the standard production moving forward, the Wild One Gold is limited to just 100 pieces, with 99 available for public sale, and the 100th piece made specifically for auction in 2024, the proceeds of which will be donated to UNICEF Switzerland and Lichtenstein.
Why Norqain Has Our Attention
Norqain is a compelling brand in so many ways, and the speed with which their collections have evolved and matured has left some struggling to keep up. But to those of us who have been paying attention, watching each subsequent release, partnership, and initiative come on what feels like a quarterly basis, it is crystal clear that Norqain is one of the most ambitious watch brands on the market.
But this ambition is not limited to mere market share alone. Instead, what has emerged is a dynamic, global brand that has its sights set on far more. This is a brand that fuses so many aspects of what makes the watch world exciting – materials innovation, social initiatives and a broad, energetic and adventurous outlook on life.
The Wild One Gold and Wild One All Black fit perfectly within Norqain’s current offerings but also continue to push them forward into new markets, especially the Wild One Gold. Not only does it make for stunning contrasts of tone and material, but it also heralds in a completely new price point. With the addition of these two new Wild Ones, easily the brand’s most interesting and dynamic collection, the message becomes even more clear. There is no horizon too far, mountain too high, or material too precious, that it is out of reach of a Norqainer.
Norqain Wild One All Black and Gold Tech Specs and price
Wild One All Black
Movement: NORQAIN Manufacture Calibre NN20/1 by Kenissi, COSC Certified, 70 Hour Power Reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Case: 42mm NORTEQ cage, Rubber shock absorber midcase, engraved NORTEQ plate, water resistant to 200m
Dial: Black laser cut dial, gunmetal luminous skelotonized handset and indices, and blacked out Norqain logo and text
Strap: Integrated mesh rubber strap in black with Milanese pattern and NORTEQ pin buckle
Price: USD $5,290
Wild One Gold
Movement: NORQAIN Manufacture Calibre NN20/1 by Kenissi, COSC Certified, 70 Hour Power Reserve
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds
Case: 42mm 18k ‘PX Impact’ 5N red gold cage, Rubber shock absorber midcase, engraved 5N red gold plate, water resistant to 200m
Dial: Black laser cut dial, polished gold luminous skeletonized handset and indices, and gold Norqain logo and text
Strap: Integrated mesh rubber strap in black with Milanese pattern and NORTEQ pin buckle or 18k 5N red gold pin puckle.
Price: USD $12,990 (with NORTEQ pin buckle), USD $14,690 (with 5N red gold pin buckle). Limited to 99 pieces
