Born of minds deeply established within the Swiss watch business, NORQAIN is a nonetheless contemporary luxurious timepiece maker intent on providing the market each the product and character its founders really feel are needed by customers. One of many model’s first “hero watches” is the NORQAIN Freedom 60 Chrono reference N2200, which is a contemporary tackle a standard sports activities chronograph. There’s a lot to love right here.
The Freedom 60 Chrono is the kind of product a watchmaker invests in when she or he needs to point out a market it could actually produce one thing they need. NORQAIN has different areas during which it could actually assert itself extra creatively, however nowadays, having a product that neatly competes in an energetic product class space is necessary. To wit, the Freedom 60 Chrono is NORQAIN’s reply to a contemporary by vintage-style sports activities chronograph that, whereas in a roundabout way copying any particular historic design, is a trendy rendering of themes and aesthetics that plenty of up to date timepiece collectors are searching for.
The Freedom 60 Chrono’s face, for example, with its high-contrast black dial with white subdials and block hour markers falls into the overall Rolex Paul Newman Daytona craze, which remains to be going sturdy. Watches like this are standard, firstly, as a result of they’re legible and utilitarian — and since they’re symmetrical, visually participating, and likewise stylish. It’s true that black and white dials with gentle shade accents, similar to we see within the Freedom 60 Chrono, are standard nowadays. The place NORQAIN will get it proper is extra than simply the colour palette but additionally the supplies and finishes on the dial, together with the sense of three-dimensional depth.
Actually my solely difficulty with the Freedom 60 Chrono dial is the truth that the NORQAIN emblem is a bit on the reflective aspect. A extra matte-finished type might have in all probability upgraded the look a bit, and sooner or later NORQAIN will in all probability transfer in that path. In any other case, the assortment of utilized hour markers, palms, and total dial options is well-conceived and provides this in any other case fashionable sports activities watch a wholesome “classic character.”
The Freedom 60 Chrono case is a good-looking 43mm-wide and 15mm-thick with a roughly 52mm lug-to-lug distance. That could be a bit on the bigger aspect, however I’d not name this an excessively giant watch by any means. Case water resistance is 100 meters. Over the dial is a “box-style” sapphire crystal, which is supposed to look a bit like historic acrylic crystals, however after all that is in scratch-resistant sapphire. The case is completely polished, which supplies it a extra eye-catching look. Sure, this can be a sports activities watch, however it is usually a way of life sports activities watch, which means little bit of visible glitz is essential when combining with utilitarian would possibly. A small utilized plaque on the aspect of the case is engraved with the NORQAIN title, serving to to supply additional visible character for the watch. It’s price mentioning that this plaque may be custom-engraved with 30 characters upon buy of any of the watches for a surcharge of $140 USD.
Contained in the Freedom 60 Chrono is a base Swiss-made ETA Valjoux 7753 automated chronograph motion. The motion (seen via the sapphire crystal caseback) is obtainable in a extremely polished kind with a bespoke NORQAIN automated rotor. NORQAIN calls the motion its caliber NN18, and it operates at 4Hz with 48 hours of energy reserve. The 7753 is actually a 7750 motion on its aspect, which provides a extra symmetrical structure for the chronograph subdials. The motion is a wonderful performer and options the time, a 12-hour chronograph, and the date. My solely quip with the 7753 is that to quick-set the date you can not use the crown, however fairly use a small inset pusher positioned on the aspect of the case at 10 o’clock. The true difficulty is that you just want a device to vary the date and one (particularly one which received’t scratch the metallic case) isn’t all the time helpful.
At the moment, NORQAIN provides the Freedom 60 Chrono with each this “1960s vintage-look” two-tone dial, in addition to a cream-colored dial that’s engaging in its personal proper. Every of the watches has an obtainable metal metallic bracelet or just a few leather-based strap shade choices. The straps are notably good with their distinctive “v” stitching and nubuck type. NORQAIN refers back to the straps (obtainable in just a few colours, as I discussed) as made from Norlando Italian leather-based.
Within the context of vintage-style sports activities chronograph watches in the present day, I believe NORQAIN does an excellent job of competing with among the greatest. If you’re actively contemplating a Tudor, Breitling, Omega, or any variety of different modern-day sports activities watches with some classic aptitude, NORQAIN needs to be one thing to think about. The model doesn’t have the notice or time available in the market to compete in terms of reputation but, however this can be a sturdy product by a devoted crew that may solely proceed to get higher. 2020 may not be everybody’s thought of an excellent time to claim a brand new watch model, however for these like NORQAIN who’re devoted to it, there are many alternatives with watch fanatic customers who merely don’t really feel like the massive manufacturers have them in thoughts nowadays in terms of their advertising and communication priorities.
I additionally need to add that the NORQAIN Freedom 60 Chrono watch grew on me as I wore it. The acquainted design was eye-pleasing to start with, however over time the small areas in design the place NORQAIN distinguishes itself grew to become extra obvious. I see that as an indication of cautious design selections and long-term pondering, two qualities which can be essential in any luxurious timepiece model searching for to achieve in the present day’s market. Worth for the NORQAIN reference N2200 Freedom 60 Chrono is $three,790 USD on a strap and $four,zero60 on the matching metal metallic bracelet. Be taught extra on the NORQAIN web site right here.
Vital Knowledge
>Model: NORQAIN
>Mannequin: Reference N2200 Freedom 60 Chrono
>Worth: $three,790 USD as examined
>Dimension: 43mm-wide, 15mm-thick, and ~52mm lug-to-lug distance
>When reviewer would personally put on it: As a good-looking daily-wear when a classic sporty chronograph aesthetic is so as (which is commonly, as this can be a very versatile design).
>Buddy we’d advocate it to first: Lover of vintage-style sports activities watches who needs to strive one thing new and contemporary amongst a sea of conventional manufacturers.
>Greatest attribute of watch: Properly-made and well-designed; proves that although NORQAIN is a brand new model, it’s made up of individuals with plenty of watch business knowledge.
>Worst attribute of watch: Polished emblem on the dial appears misplaced and could possibly be refined. NORQAIN doesn’t supply the Freedom 60 Chrono a lot character in its present advertising supplies so understanding as in comparison with the competitors may be difficult for non-experts. Los of worth within the watch, however the worth isn’t as aggressive as some customers will in all probability need.
