Horologii

Hands-on with the NORQAIN Wild One Watch Collection

Embodying everything the NORQAIN watch brand stands for, from sustainable watchmaking to complete durability, the new NORQAIN Wild One watch collection debuts four new sports watches engineered from a patented material the Swiss manufacturer calls NORTEQ. Six times lighter than steel and three-and-a-half times lighter than titanium, these colourful watches signal a new flagship collection for NORQAIN and include two collectible limited editions, one designed in partnership with international ambassador, Dean Schneider.

The NORTEQ Case

The novelty of the new NORQAIN Wild One watch collection is the NORTEQ case which according the brand is the brainchild of industry legend Jean-Claude Biver. Having worked at Blancpain and Omega, as CEO of TAG Heuer and Hublot and as president of LVMH’s watchmaking division, Jean-Claude Biver is certainly someone worth taking advice from. Now Advisor to the Board for NORQAIN, he alongside CEO Ben Küffer decided it was time to create a range of watches engineered from something never been done before, a proprietary material that upheld the brand’s philosophy for durability in adventure.

Designed in collaboration with Swiss industry leader BIWI SA, the NORTEQ case material is created using carbon fibre and a polymer matrix of 60% castor oil. The result is a carbon material weighing three-and-a half-times lighter than titanium and six times lighter than steel – each NORQAIN Wild One watch weighs in at only 84 grams. It is also the first carbon material available in colours other than black. The super light construction includes a separate top and bottom which together serve as a protective cage for the movement inside. These elements are secured by custom-made screws and sandwich a rubber shock absorber which surrounds a titanium container for housing the movement. The rubber bumper reliably absorbs shocks during even the most extreme activities so much so that according to NORQAIN, the Wild One watches can withstand shock tests conducted at 5000G.

The NORQAIN Wild One Watch Collection

The overall architecture of the new NORQAIN Wild One watches retain the familiar look of the NORQAIN Independence collection but with the velvety smooth feel and unbeatably durable traits of the new proprietary material. There are currently four models to choose from, two permanent pieces and a duo of limited editions. The first core piece features a black NORTEQ case, khaki rubber shock absorber, black dial and khaki rubber strap while the second elects a black NORTEQ case, blue rubber shock absorber, blue dial and blue rubber strap. The first of the limited editions is a piece of luxury watch history, boasting an extraordinary burgundy-coloured NORTEQ case – the world’s first coloured carbon fibre case. It pairs with a grey rubber shock absorber, a grey dial with rose gold hardware and a grey rubber strap. This model is limited to 200 pieces.

The second limited edition in the NORQAIN Wild One watch collection is a model designed in collaboration with international ambassador, Dean Schneider. The black NORTEQ case of the NORQAIN Wild One Hakuna Mipaka watch is combined with a sand-coloured shock absorber which has been mixed with sand from Schneider’s Hakuna Mipaka oasis in South Africa, creating a unique speckled design. There’s also a black dial decorated with a special pattern inspired by a lion’s fur which pairs with the same texture found on the black vegan-certified rubber strap. The dial also presents the sanctuary’s spear-and-shield logo. Lastly, Dean’s powerful message about humankind’s relationship with animals is engraved on the caseback: “We need to learn to love them exactly the way they are and not the way we wish them to be!” The NORQAIN Wild One Hakuna Mipaka Limited Edition is part of a 500-piece run.

The other three NORQAIN Wild One watches boast an equally intricate dial design, a three-layer laser cut display created by Montremo SA. The dials are adorned with a mandala-like pattern of NORQAIN’s mountain inspired double-N logo. On top, you’ll find silver or gold hardware for the hours, minutes and seconds. The former two hands are skeletonised while the seconds boasts an arrow-shaped tip, all joined by X1 Superluminova inserts to match the glow in the dark baton-style markers. You’ll also notice there’s no date in sight. The NORQAIN Wild One watches also feature screw down crowns, water resistant ratings of 200 metres, double anti-reflective flat sapphire crystal glass and a plate on the side of the case that can be personalised with an engraving.

Finally, powering each NORQAIN Wild One watch is the NORQAIN Manufacture Calibre NN20/1. The automatic winding movement has been made by Swiss movement specialist Kenissi and boasts 28 jewels, a weekend-proof power reserve of 70 hours and a balance frequency of 28,800vph. We’re also warranted chronometer certification for assurance of accuracy. Through the sapphire crystal case back of the NORQAIN Wild One watches, you can admire the movement including the matte surfaces of the bridges and the open-worked oscillating weight with NORQAIN’s double-N logo.

If you’d like to learn more about the new NORQAIN Wild One watch collection and shop the series for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.

Specifications:

  • Case Size: 42mm
  • Case Material: NORTEQ carbon fibre composite
  • Bezel: Fixed
  • Glass: Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
  • Crown: Screw down
  • Case Back: Exhibition
  • Water Resistance: 200 metres
  • Movement: Manufacture calibre NN20/1, automatic winding
  • COSC: Yes
  • Functions: Hours, minutes and seconds
  • Power Reserve: 70 hours
  • Jewels: 28
  • Frequency: 28,800vph
  • Dial: Textured with NORQAIN double N logo in black or blue, or “lion mane” pattern in black
  • Strap: Vegan rubber
  • Buckle: Folding
  • Limited: 200-piece limited edition with grey dial and 500-piece Hakuna Mipaka limited edition
  • RRP: Starts from £4,290